Shift Disturber Award: Honoring leaders whose bold vision is driving transformative change across the industry.

Sean Cohan (President, Bell Media), recognized for his leadership in transforming Bell Media into a globally distinctive media company, streamer, producer, and distributor through strategic partnerships.

Appointed President of Bell Media, Canada’s premier media and entertainment company, in 2023, Cohan is responsible for Bell Media’s globally unique portfolio of video, audio, digital, and out-of-home advertising assets, brands, and content. These include the largest Canadian-owned video streaming service (Crave), Canada’s #1 broadcast network (CTV), its leading sports properties (TSN & RDS), #1 national and local news (CTV News), industry-leading out-of-home advertising player (Astral), and audio platforms (iHeart Radio).

Since joining Bell Media, Cohan has led Bell Media’s transformation to digital media and content power. This transformation has included a significant expansion of Crave; the acquisition of global content distributor, Sphere Abacus; a strategic investment in independent production company Blink49; the launch of a portfolio of FAST channels; content deals with some of Canada’s leading creators including Seth Rogen, Tom Green, and Elliot Page, and an expanded production slate including global breakouts HEATED RIVALRY and EMPATHIE.

Cohan has spent decades in media and consumer businesses, including a 15-year tenure at A+E Networks ultimately in the role of President, International and Digital Media. At A+E, Cohan’s teams were credited with driving global content, digital, and
commercial transformation, and rapid growth.

Most recently, Cohan was Chief Growth Officer & President at Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics giant. Cohan managed the strategy, corporate development, partnerships, and international efforts and teams, and had a leadership
role in its successful 2022 take-private transaction.

A purpose-driven leader, Cohan has a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from Harvard University, an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and holds several Board positions, including H&R Block, MLBPA Players Inc., North York Hospital Foundation, and is the Board Chair of the Banff World Media Festival. Cohan was named to Variety’s Dealmakers 2025 list and its 120 Most Powerful Executives in Entertainment 2025 list, Toronto Life’s 2025 list of 50 Most Influential Torontonians, and has been named twice to Savoy Magazine’s Influential Black Executives in Corporate America list and its Most Influential Corporate Directors list.