ABOUT
New Name! Contemporary Curriculum! Same Distinguished Quality!
The Executive Leadership in Media Certificate Program (formerly known as our Media Leadership Program) offers a unique immersive learning experience that combines business school teaching from Schulich MBA faculty with best practices from high-level industry executives.
Our newly modified sessions are designed to best serve the current needs of our industry. Schulich School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the world. Take advantage of the expertise their instructors offer, combined with the knowledge and experience of industry professionals. Past industry professionals who have contributed to this curriculum have included CEOs and top executives from CBC, Bell Media, Shaw Media, Corus, Blue Ant, National Film Board, and production companies including New Metric Media, Sticky Brain Studios and DHX Media.
People from all sectors of the screen-based industry with a minimum of 10 years of experience are encouraged to apply. Successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Schulich School of Business. Receipt of the certificate is determined by attendance and participation.
This program is purposely designed for a smaller group - participation is extremely limited.
“It was a fantastic experience. The Media Leadership Program provided a comprehensive framework to better understand and navigate the challenges of our rapidly changing industry on both a micro and macro level. More importantly, I met an incredible group of inspiring woman from across our sector who I can draw upon for support and advice. ”
— KATHLEEN MEEK, MANAGER, ORIGINAL CONTENT, DRAMA & FACTUAL, CORUS ENTERTAINMENT; MLP 2016
DATES
EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS!!
Closing for program applications: Sunday April 27, 2025 @ 11:59pm
Program Dates:
Friday & Saturday May 9 & 10, 2025
Friday & Saturday May 23 & 24, 2025
Friday June 6, 2025
Friday & Saturday June 13 & 14, 2025
Friday & Saturday June 20 & 21, 2025
FEES
2025 PROGRAM FEES
WIFT+ Toronto Members: $4495 (+ hst)
Non-Members: $5495 (+hst)
*Payment Plans can be negotiated.
ELIGIBILITY
The ideal candidate for the Executive Leadership in Media Certificate Program is a screen-based professional with a minimum of 8 years in management or entrepreneurial experience in the media industry who is looking to develop their leadership skills. Candidates will have a proven track record of accomplishments and demonstrated career progression.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility to apply for this program, please contact Jody Anderson, Program and Special Events Coordinator, at janderson@wift.com.
SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS
PUT YOUR CAREER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Program Introduction and kickoff with Trina McQueen, O.C. and Lisa De Wilde, as well as industry insider info with guest speakers.
THE STRATEGIC MINDSET
Charting New Paths Forward (with Dr. Wissam Al Hussaini)
Uncover how to assess the current state of an organization, including the mission, vision, values, customers, and operational strategy. Conduct a simulation demonstrating the origins of strategy and a situational analysis to identify the value you create for your customers.
ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Critical Communication Skills (with Diana Kawarsky, The Soft Skills Group)
Create more positive and beneficial work relationships by applying conscious communication skills. Build trust and rapport through interactions which are clear, effective and impactful. Your management career succeeds as your business relationships succeed. The ability to influence, persuade and communicate with people in a positive way in order to achieve your organizational goals is one of the keys to success in any business or professional environment. This highly interactive session provide you with the opportunity to learn, practice and master the critical skills and competencies required for building and maintaining productive and profitable work relationships.
MANAGERIAL FINANCE
Unluck Shareholder Value (with Beppino Pasquale)
Start with an informational introduction to the financial reporting system and a basic understanding of accounting and corporate annual reports. Learn how to read balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. Dive into the key elements of financial statements, including inventory and fixed assets. Learn how to use financial ratios and business budgeting for better decision-making.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR MEDIA COMPANIES
With Sasha Boersma - Co-Founder/Producer - Sticky Brain Studios
This session will utilize several every day scenarios where participants may encounter that require financial analysis and management skills. Having completed the financial literacy portion of the program, participants will learn how to use these basic tools to put together “pitches” to put forward short term and long term media projects, capital investment and other resource allocation decisions. Participants will discuss the frequent types of “numbers” problems faced and how to approach them, understand how to put together a financial analysis package for a project, and apply knowledge on how to manage multiple projects, factors that change the financial health of a project and how to manage them.
FUTUREPROOFING FILM & TV
Reimagine New Futures (with Dr. Shane Saunderson)
Explore new probable and possible futures for media, film and television. Reimagine new futures and new potential strategies, threats, disruptions and innovations. Examine the implications of emerging technology and how it will reshape the production and consumption of media.
INNOVATE NOW
Inspire Real World Innovations (with Megan Mitchell)
Ideate, brainstorm and work together to think through new innovations. Create value using innovative frameworks and apply models in real-world scenarios. Present your ideas, receive feedback and tackle some of media’s future challenges.
THE FUTURE OF MARKETING
The Power of Marketing (with Connie Contardi)
Explore the key elements of marketing in today’s climate to elevate your business. Delve into the fundaments of marketing principles and strategies. Examine how digital marketing has changed the marketing landscape and how consumer behaviour has shifted.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
Throughout the program, you will have access to our many high-level guest speakers.