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
has earned multiple awards, critical reviews, regular presence on Best Of lists worldwide and
garners over 21 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, including CTV,
CBC, Global Television, Canwest, Shaw Media, Alliance Atlantis and CBC. Prior to her move to
audio, Leslie was head or 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.

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts