GroupM Motion Entertainment Expands North American Footprint with Launch in Canada

Industry Leader Daniel Mekinda Named Head of GroupM Motion Entertainment Canada

Toronto, Canada – (June 27, 2023) – GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, today announced the expansion of GroupM Motion Entertainment into Canada to deliver premium entertainment and bespoke brand opportunities to partners and clients under the leadership of Daniel Mekinda.

GroupM Motion Entertainment will work alongside GroupM agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, and EssenceMediacom to provide a pathway for Canada-based clients to align with original programming and branded entertainment and shape culture through creative and talent partnerships.

GroupM Motion Entertainment (formerly Motion Content Group) has a successful history with premium content investment, IP creation, and distribution. Co-producing more than 1,800 television series around the globe in partnership with award-winning creatives, talent, networks, and platforms promises to deliver an exciting opportunity to GroupM clients and the broader marketplace.

“Evolving Motion Entertainment in the Canadian market presents our clients and partners with incredible opportunity,” said Kevin Johnson, CEO, GroupM Canada.” This integrated structure synthesizes content creation and distribution on media plans, giving our clients seamless access to One-Voice content solutions across channels and swift agility to create endless first-to-market entertainment opportunities.”

GroupM Motion Entertainment in Canada will be led by Daniel Mekinda, who brings years of experience from an extensive career in entertainment, music and media. He recently served as head of global partnerships and sales for Dentsu International and launched Dentsu’s content agency in Canada, The Story Lab.

“I’m thrilled to work with GroupM’s clients to conquer the tremendous opportunity here in Canada, all in the name of creativity,” said Mekinda. “Canada’s landscape is rich with content and talent, and we know there is vast potential to grow these longstanding relationships so we can continue creating engaging and premium content for audiences everywhere.”

Mekinda will be running the local operations and will report into GroupM Canada CEO Kevin Johnson and Richard Foster, Global CEO GroupM Motion Entertainment.

“With the world’s ever-changing media landscape, our clients need solutions that bring them to the forefront of entertainment,” said Foster. “GroupM Motion Entertainment’s global scale and creative expertise combine to create a competitive advantage unmatched across the industry that serve the needs and ambitions of our partners and clients.”

GroupM Motion Entertainment, in partnership with Bell Media Studios and Unicorn Island Productions, debuted BATTLE OF THE GENERATIONS, hosted by award-winning entertainer, philanthropist, actress, producer, and writer Lilly Singh on June 19.  The series airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.