BookShorts Inc., Toronto 2006 – 2013
President / Executive Producer / Producer

Founded Production Company with dual-stream business model producing original properties specializing in book to screen adaptations for film and television, plus client service contracts for new media platforms.

BookShorts Business Highlights

To capitalize on book publishers` need to revolutionize book marketing, created hybrid entertainment-marketing content used in new media advertising campaigns with the same content also sold to traditional television broadcasters and screened at juried film festivals.

Delivered steady company growth from founding to revenues of $1M+; secured angel investment of $250K.

Maintained and diversified Canadian and US commercial client base over multiple years and projects; Amazon/CreateSpace, Random House (Can & US), Penguin, Annick Press, McArthur & Co., Douglas & McIntyre, Thomas Allen Publishers, Insomniac Books, and many others.

Founded not-for-profit sister company BookShorts Literacy Program to access public funding; and to market and distribute content produced and\or curated by BookShorts Inc.; wrote grant applications, proposals and presentations to secure over $250K in public funds from national juried programs to date.

BookShorts Production Highlights

Produced original programming including 6 documentary films, 20+ short films, packaged TV series, many hours of news and artist interviews – catalogue of properties available on request.

Broadcast sales to CBC (ZeD, Bold, Doc, Reflections), Bravo! CTV, Bravo!FACT,  TVOntario, Movieola The Short Film Channel, CHUM CLT, Access, BookTelevision, Rogers Television.

Short films adapted from books consistently win recognition at film festivals and secure licenses with television broadcasters, while also supporting product sales and increasing artist visibility.

Expanded the roster of production from short films to feature length documentaries, produced by BookShorts and others, including In the Wake of the Flood, with Margaret Atwood, directed by Ron Mann; and North Paws, produced by Nexus Media Inc.

BookShorts New Media Highlights

Created interactive technology-based creative and production methodology to deliver high-value, low cost video product to international clients.

Created and launched the concept of video book trailers in North America; implemented distribution on new media platforms and social media to deliver effective entertainment marketing campaigns.

Syndicated hybrid marketing entertainment content to national outlets such as Joost, Showcase.com and retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters Indigo and more.

Created and implemented successful online and event-based integrated promotional programs including Moving Stories Film Festival, Moving Stories TV series, MovingStories.TV web portal, Stella Artois Presents The Walrus Laughs, and The Walrus TV.

Judith Keenan Communications, Toronto 2002 – 2005
President / Business Development Executive

Management consultant specializing in business development, strategic marketing and public relations for entertainment businesses looking to sell product and promote events in US and Canada.
Secured contracts (i.e. up to 18 months each) as member of start-up senior management team with select companies which resulted in successful product sales, sustainable business models, and increased revenues.

Client base includes corporations (case studies below) and independent artists such as filmmakers Karen O`Donnell, Liz Marshall, Liz Zetlin, Irene Duma, Sue Kenney, Rachel Peters; musician-writer Paul Quarrington, authors Susan Swan, Nino Ricci, Marni Jackson and more.

Selected Accomplishments:

The Drake Hotel – Executive Director, Business Development
Hired six months after launch of this multi-disciplinary performance-hotel venue; created organizational infrastructure including personnel, operations, and financial business models; led cross functional teams and senior executives in business plan implementation; developed strategic alliances for fast growth while ensuring sustainability; resulted in sponsorship deals with 60+ art, corporate and media organizations representing over $500K; developed in-venue broadcast program DrakeTV, produced original video, secured distribution deals with Air Canada, Channel Zero, Rogers Television.

Lampyro – Business Plan
Business Plan and launch strategy for Mexico City-based children’s book publisher, a business extension of an international design company; included financial projections, legal affairs, corporate infrastructure, personnel needs, production processes, alternative distribution focusing on e-commerce and online marketing. Result was a comprehensive blueprint that lent to the companies first successful book releases.

McMaster Children’s Hospital Infant-Parent Program – Business Plan
Right From The Start, an evidence-based workshop series focusing on attachment-theory and group facilitation; resulted in more efficient and economical operations.

The Writers Union of Canada – Brand Position
Led full-day sessions with stakeholders to address the organization’s challenge in membership growth and financial stability; researched, wrote scenarios for re-positioning, value propositions, and brand statement; Resulted in complete turn-around of its mission statement, and 50% growth in membership.

ArtsWeek – Producer, Festival & Marketing
Toronto Arts Council city-wide 10-day festival with 260+ arts organizations; responsible for overall concept and program development, plus event production, sponsorship, presenter liaison, strategic marketing alliances; management of in-house staff and contract team (ad agency, publicity, internet development, marketing research, et al); website launch; resulted in record attendance and $500K cash and sponsorships.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Marketing & Launch Event
Creative and strategy lead for US promotion of CBC/Radio-Canada 14-week program hosted by The Museum of Television and Radio NY/LA; Resulting press included features in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Hollywood Reporter and more.

National Film Board – Marketing Events
Produced US premiere of documentary film McLuhan’s Wake at The Museum of Television and Radio, NY/LA; resulted in film sale to Sundance Channel; also produced event at The Graduate Center CUNY including Laurie Anderson, Lewis Lapham, John Perry Barlow, Pamela Wallin promoting premiere broadcast.

Wordshop Productions – Marketing Consultant
Wrote and implemented marketing strategies for documentary “Odd Kid Out” about families of children with ADHD; created alternate revenue streams including sales to Eli-Lilly Pharmaceuticals.
Telefactory / Galafilm – Marketing Consultant
Write, art direct and produce printed and online marketing materials for independent television production company; resulted in presentation materials used for many years sales at MIP-TV.

Judith Keenan Communications, Inc., New York 1991 – 2001
President / Executive Producer & Business Development Executive
Management consultant specializing in business development, strategic marketing and public relations for entertainment enterprises, with core competency in the integration of technology and new media platforms.
Transitioned company from traditional marketing to the first US agency using dot-com technologies in both operations and marketing tools. Grew agency revenues from zero to $250K annually within five years.
Secured long term contracts (i.e. 12 – 36 months) as partner in senior management teams with select start-up dot-com enterprises which resulted in acquisitions and / or venture capital investments in the range of $1 to $25 million per company. Complete list of US contracts available on request.

Selected Accomplishments:

Planet Theory Inc. – Partner, Exec. Producer
Wrote and implemented business plan and expansion strategy for multimedia production company, growing the firm from $600K gross sales to over $4M USD; Fortune 500 clients included Swatch, Macys, Warner Bros. Studio Stores, Caterpillar, Teletubbies, General Motors, Pfizer. Launched ChoicePoint Films content-production division; negotiated distribution contract for world’s first interactive DVD movie, earned $30K advance and made profits within 3 months of market release.

OurYearbook.com Corp. – Interim CEO
Author of business plan, organizational infrastructure, and strategic alliance models that raised over $5 million in first-round venture capital.

E-Town Consumer Electronics Online Guide – Business Development Executive
Launched consumer electronics website and syndicated content database, the model for which won the company a total of $25.5 million USD in corporate investment lead by Best Buy.

Oven Digital – Business Development Executive
Recruited to lead marketing strategy for clients such as WellMed, a physicians health network, Hookt.com, as well as the web development company itself; resulted in new business contracts totalling over $10M USD.

Twinkle LLC – Executive Producer
Animation production company and creative studio: Developed dual-stream revenue model specializing in original animated series, character licenses, and client service contracts; Increased billings to advertising and promotion agencies by 200%; Sold original characters to clients such as Hershey’s Chocolate, Yum Yum and QSRs; Sold original webisode series to Hollywood-based national distributors Icebox.com, Honkworm.com.

Sunshine Interactive Network – Partner, Business Development Executive
One of the three original founders of consumer music web site Sonic.Net, creating content partnerships and strategic alliances; resulted in first acquisition $1 million USD by TCI, and later by Viacom-MTV Online; Managed programmers, technologists, business and creative staff from launch to sale; launched sister companies including Sunshine Theatre (live concert venue), Sunshine Films (media production company), Sunshine Networks (new media production company).

Launch Box LLC – Account Executive
Digital marketing and communications technology provider; managed studio of in-house and contract creative talent (illustrators, animators, designers, copy writers); Account Executive to promotion marketing agency clients. Resulted in company`s steady growth to over $1M by end of second year in business.

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Contact Judith at judith-at-bookshorts-dot-com or via text/direct 416.843.4425

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