Susan Hummel was responsible for establishing Lionsgate’s first distribution office in Canada, and she has played an integral role in the company’s expansion in the country. Following Lionsgate’s acquisition of eOne, Hummel now leads the newly combined distribution and ventures team. She has been instrumental to the integration of the film and television catalogue and plans for the division’s strategic market approach to partners, and in this role seeks out opportunities for the company in the Canadian market.
Over the past seven years, Hummel has closed deals for iconic Lionsgate IP with major platforms, including licensing Lionsgate’s theatrical slate and current TV series in both the English and French markets. She has successfully placed U.S. first run films in market to key English and French language Pay partners. Hummel has also spearheaded deals with Canada’s Bell Media, Corus and Rogers, as well as global streamers such as Netflix and Amazon, among many others.
In addition, Hummel previously managed the strategic direction and operations of the company’s free ad supported streaming (FAST) networks, including MovieSphere and Ebony, as well as single IP channels such as Nashville and Celebrity Name Game, in both the US and Canada.
Prior to joining Lionsgate, Hummel served as SVP, Distribution and Sales for FremantleMedia International, where she headed its first distribution office in Canada. Before that, she worked at MGM for several years where she led its Canadian office and developed and executed sales strategies for the Canadian market across all platforms, including video-on-demand, electronic sell-through, subscription-video-on-demand, pay and cable television, as well as U.S. basic cable television. Hummel also worked in acquisition and programming at Comedy Central, Nickelodeon in New York and Twentieth Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles.
Hummel was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 inaugural Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment list.
