Julie Bristow

Julie Bristow has been influencing how Canadians watch television for the past 20 years. She has created over 1500 hours of original content, built entire entertainment divisions from scratch, innovated new and exciting ways to reach new audiences, and garnered multiple industry and business awards for her contributions and leadership. 

In her previous role with CBC Television, Julie was Executive Director of Studio & Unscripted Content, including sports (Hockey Night in Canada, 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio) and many of CBC`s most successful and original programs (which she created) including Dragons Den, Battle of the Blades, and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight. Over her career, she has also directed and refreshed many of CBC’s flagship properties including CBC News, Marketplace, and Midday. 

But television is also a business, and in that Julie has excelled, making the business decisions that have added tens of millions in revenue and forged international partnerships with the New York Times, PBS Frontline and Discovery Times Channel. 

In a turbulent time in television, Julie manages to maintain a uniquely relevant pulse on what's 

emerging, what viewers want to see and how they prefer to see it. She has revitalized CBC’s digital 

platform, successfully bridged social media with traditional programming, and relentlessly challenged 

the status quo to bring new and exciting changes to how we consume media content.

Recognized globally as a fresh and influential voice in the industry, Julie speaks at events around the 

globe, from Banff to Cannes, sharing her vision and insights with the world’s programming elite. Julie sits on the Board with many of the most influential domestic and international media associations, 

and volunteers her time to charitable organizations focused on addiction and mental health.