President and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, Rudy Buttignol, will be visiting Powell River August 15 and 16 as part of an extensive British Columbia-wide road trip.
The leader of BC’s public educational broadcaster will be speaking at both a Powell River Chamber of Commerce luncheon and a Rotary Club of Powell River dinner. He will also tour around the city, meet with local art groups, film commissions and politicians.
Knowledge Network’s road trip, which covers all the way from the Gulf Islands to the province’s interior, aims to start an exchange of ideas. Buttignol and the network will immerse themselves in each community by listening to stories of residents, as well as telling their own story as a public broadcaster.
“I think it’s important for people to know what we’re doing,” the CEO explained in a phone interview. “I also want to find out what’s of interest to our viewers and find out what they value in a network.”
He lamented how many people confuse Knowledge Network with PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), or mistake it for an American channel. “I want to let people know that we are indeed British Columbia’s public broadcaster, and as a public broadcaster, we couldn’t exist without their support,” he explained.
He moved to BC five years ago and in an effort to get to know the province Buttignol has visited everywhere from Kamloops to Prince George to Victoria during that time.
“I’m looking forward to Powell River,” Buttignol said. “I’ve heard wonderful things about it and I’m looking forward to discovering the unique things it has to offer.”
Buttignol became CEO and president of the network in 2007. Since then, he has transformed it from a single channel to a multi-platform operation that includes two websites, as well as a HD channel in the works. Knowledge Network’s CEO has also recently acquired BBC Kids, a commercial-free channel aimed at everyone from preschoolers to teenagers, in a joint venture with BBC World.
Buttignol is also a director on the Vancouver International Film Festival board and was a founding chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada.
Before working for the Knowledge Network, Buttignol wrote, directed and produced shows airing on channels such as A&E, CBC, Discovery, Global and PBS. This work won him nine Gemini Awards.
The chamber luncheon where Buttignol is speaking will take place at noon on Wednesday, August 15 at Powell River Town Centre Hotel. Anyone wishing to attend must contact the chamber for reservations at 604.485.4051 or [email protected].
