Mary Powers has left her post as CTVglobemedia’s SVP corporate communications to start her own strategic communications and brand marketing company, Powers Communications. She is being succeeded by Bonnie Brownlee, the current board chair of Canada’s Walk of Fame.

CTVglobemedia will be a lead client for Powers Communications, with Powers focusing on developing the company’s industry relations. Meanwhile, Brownlee’s official responsibility is to lead the company’s corporate communications strategy.

In a statement, Powers said launching her own communications company ‘is the realization of a long-term goal.’ Her career in broadcasting has been long and prominent – starting with CHUM, where she worked as VP communications, handled investor relations and was a member of senior management. In October, after CHUM was swallowed up by CTVglobemedia (then Bell Globemedia), CTV CEO Ivan Fecan appointed Powers to the post she’s now leaving. She also sits as chair of the Banff Television Festival Foundation.

Brownlee, whose appointment is effective immediately, was previously VP communications for Astral Television Networks, director of National Media Relations for Bloomingdale’s New York City, and worked for 10 years with the Government of Canada as an EA to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mrs. Mulroney. Recently, she’s worked with CTV on key strategic planning and partnership initiatives.

CTVglobemedia’s group SVP of corporate affairs Paul Sparkes, in announcing Brownlee’s appointment, said she had provided the company with ‘expert strategic direction on a number of files spanning corporate, political and entertainment spheres both internationally and domestically.’