New chief for CMJ as Kuyk takes strategy role

Montreal-based producer CMJ Productions has named a new president, with company founder John Kuyk moving to a strategic position.

Long-serving exec Judith Beauchemin (right) moves up, effective immediately, with Kuyk (below left) now mainly focused on “developing new and innovative business models to guide CMJ’s future expansion”.

Kuyk will provide support to Beauchemin during a current transition period.

Beauchemin moves up from an executive VP position, in which she worked on shows for the likes of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and History.

She has been with CMJ for 15 years in total, and Kuyk said her promotion had him “simply bursting with pride”.

The move comes soon after the establishment of Attraction Studios, which comprises CMJ, Attraction Images and Attraction Distribution.

“Judith is widely respected in the global production community for her consensus-building management style and her hands-on creative approach to developing programming that helps networks concurrently build both audience share and advertising revenues,” said Marleen Beaulieu, who recently became president of Attraction Studios.

Fifteen-year-old Attraction acquired CMJ, which produces English- and French-language unscripted programming, in November last year.