Vincent GeorgieVincent Georgie, acting UWindsor associate vice-president external, is joining the Ontario Creates board of directors.

Arts marketing expert joins board of Ontario Creates

Vincent Georgie (MBA 2004), acting UWindsor associate vice-president external, has been appointed to the board of directors of Ontario Creates by lieutenant governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

Ontario Creates is a provincial government agency that works to support jobs and economic opportunities in cultural industries including the film, music, book, magazine, television, and interactive digital media sectors. Board members serve a term of three years and are eligible for reappointment.

Dr. Georgie has been the executive director and chief programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) since 2013 and has wed his marketing savvy and a lifelong love of cinema to help WIFF grow into the number one volunteer-run festival in Canada.

Georgie was named a Top 10 Community Leader Who Makes Windsor Better by the Windsor Star, made the Top 40 Under 40 list by Leadership Windsor-Essex, and received the Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching award from the University of Windsor.

Holding a doctorate in the marketing of film, Georgie taches marketing in the Odette School of Business, and is an expert in the marketing of arts and culture, film and film festival, awards campaigns, and film industry marketing strategy.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be appointed to a board that has such a tangible impact on arts and culture in our province,” Georgie said. “I’m proud to be part of such an impressive team.”

Marty Beneteau, chair of the Windsor International Film Festival board of directors, noted that Georgie will be the only member of the Ontario Creates board involved with a film festival.

“Vincent brings a jolt of electricity to everything he touches and the whole WIFF board of directors congratulates him wholeheartedly,” Beneteau said.

According to Ontario Creates’ 2020 statistics, Ontario’s film and television industry contributed $1.5 billion to the province’s economy last year while navigating the challenges of COVID-19. This industry alone was credited for creating 29,667 high-value and full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs in the province.

“Promoting the creative economy has always been one of our core principles at WIFF,” Georgie said. “I look forward to supporting the great work of Ontario Creates, in its mission of creating employment and economic investment opportunities in the province.”
Academic Area: