The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) has named Mark Sakamoto as its new chair. Sakamoto has been a board member since 2008. He has previously served on the board as chair of the strategic planning committee and as a member of the audit committee. He succeeds Kevin Shea, who retired in August after nine years in the position.

Sakamoto is the executive vice president for Think Research, an international cloud-based software firm in Toronto. He is also a lawyer, who has worked for a national broadcaster and for a national law firm. He began his career as a music promoter for international live acts and co-founded Vote Out Loud, a non-profit that raises political awareness participation.

"I am deeply honoured to have been appointed chair,” Sakamoto said. “I look forward to continuing to work with OMDC's dedicated board, management and staff to ensure that Ontario remains a recognized leader in stimulating the creation of creative media content that's in demand around the world."

The OMDC was established in 2000 to stimulate investment and employment in six creative industries: book and magazine publishing, music, interactive digital media, film, and television. OMDC also administers five industry tax credits. According to the organization, magazine publishing in Ontario is a $1.13 billion industry.