9 Story Media Group announced the appointment of Farrell Hall to the newly created position of chief inclusion officer. Working with internal and external stakeholders, Farrell will be empowered to create and execute diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that will impact all aspects of the business, including 9 Story’s animation studio, Brown Bag Films. He will also be integral in developing and establishing DEI content guidelines to further the company’s mission in the creation and production of diverse and authentic stories. Reporting to 9 Story CEO and president Vince Commisso, Farrell joins the Executive Leadership team and is based out of Toronto.
Most recently, Farrell held the role of director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Toronto where he led a team responsible for advancing equity and anti-oppression within the organization. While engaged with the CAS, Farrell had a clear focus on combating anti-black racism to eliminate disparity and disproportionality in their service outcomes for clients. Farrell also brings additional relevant experience from his time as manager of Workplace Equity at the Peel District School Board, where he championed the development of workplace equity, anti-oppression and inclusion programs, as well as established initiatives to ensure workplace excellence. Farrell has a strong background in human resources, working in the field for over twenty years in the not-for-profit, private and corporate sectors. In addition, Farrell spent three years working in radio roles at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
“The introduction of the chief inclusion officer role came as a direct result of internal focus group research, recommendations from our staff, and 9 Story’s commitment to DEI as a priority within our organization,” said Vince Commisso. “As a producer of children’s content watched by millions of kids around the world, we have a responsibility to tell diverse and authentic stories where every child sees themselves on screen. As an employer, we have a vital obligation to our employees to create a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and has an equal opportunity for personal and professional growth. We are thrilled with the level of experience that Farrell brings to this role and look forward to his contribution to our executive team and our organization as a whole.”
“I’m excited to be joining the team at 9 Story Media Group, a company that is continuously striving to make diversity and inclusion a key pillar of the work they do every day, both on and off screen,” said Hall. “Iconic series like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Blue’s Clues & You, Doc McStuffins, and the highly anticipated Karma’s World are strong examples of 9 Story and Brown Bag Films’ clear and ongoing commitment to telling authentic stories that celebrate diversity, with the utmost thought and care. I look forward to making an impact on the organization’s great legacy of storytelling and helping to create content that celebrates differences, promotes inclusion, and ultimately makes the world a better place for kids and families everywhere.”