April 4, 2016 (Vancouver, BC) – Great Pacific Media, the factual arm of Thunderbird, today announced that Paul Lewis has joined the management team as President. Paul, most recently the President and General Manager of Discovery Networks in Canada, built the company into one of the country’s most trusted television brands. As an executive with more than three decades of broadcasting and production experience, Paul has created, developed and commissioned some of the world’s most successful factual television and digital content, including the launch of the world’s first daily science program Daily Planet. He was at the helm during the company’s most significant period of expansion and growth and led Discovery Canada to become the most watched factual channel in the country. Paul oversaw five television networks and their related websites, an in-house production company and a distribution business.
“As an innovative leader and a pioneer of factual programming, Paul is the best of the best,” said Great Pacific Media CEO Mark Miller. Executive Chairman of Thunderbird, Ivan Fecan calls Paul a visionary executive and storyteller. “Paul is a wonderful addition to our family. He will help us to grow our relationships around the world with networks seeking innovative programming.”
“As a broadcaster I always admired the energetic leadership and ambition that grew GPM into Canada’s premier factual production company. I’m now thrilled to be joining this incredibly talented team and to be creating even more exciting and original content that entertains and informs international audiences,” said Paul Lewis.
Great Pacific Media is one of Canada’s leading factual producers. Their hit series Highway Thru Hell was commissioned by Discovery Canada and is seen in 170 countries. It is now in its fifth season.
Great Pacific Media is a global leader in factual television. Started by TV veterans Blair Reekie and Mark Miller, their programs are seen in more than 170 countries. They specialize in development, production, co-production, and financing of factual, documentary, game show and reality television. Great Pacific Media was recently acquired by the Thunderbird Group of companies to accelerate the growth of Thunderbird’s presence in the unscripted television space. The Thunderbird Group includes UK -based theatrical distributors Soda Pictures and Vancouver-based production companies Reunion Pictures and Atomic Cartoons. www.greatpacifictv.com
Thunderbird Media Contact:
Nicola Pender
Director of Media & Marketing
604-683-3555
nicola@thunderbird.tv