Guest Broadcaster — All Access 2020:
LESLIE MERKLINGER
Senior Director, Audio Innovation at CBC Radio & Audio
Leslie Merklinger is the Senior Director of Audio Innovation at the CBC. She launched CBC Podcasts in 2015 and serves as its creative and strategic head.
Under Leslie’s leadership, CBC has become Canada’s #1 Podcast publisher with a slate that includes hit series Hunting Warhead, Uncover: Escaping NXIVM, Uncover: The Village, Someone Knows Something, Personal Best, The Shadows, Front Burner, Love Me and Alone: A Love Story. CBC Podcasts have earned multiple awards, critical reviews, regular presence on Best-Of lists worldwide and garner over 24 Million downloads per month.
Prior to moving to audio, Leslie was an award winning television veteran with over 3 decades as a producer, director and Commissioning Editor. Her career has spanned many genres, including current affairs, talk, documentary, factual and lifestyle television at various independent tv production companies and every major broadcaster in Canada.
Prior to her move to audio, Leslie was head of original programming for Food Network Canada.
Leslie holds a Masters in Creative Media Education from the University of Bournemouth, UK, teaches Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University and is a regular judge for Taste Canada, Canada’s National Cookbook awards.