Pia Marquard to Lead CBC in Québec

Pia MarquardPia Marquard, who the CBC hired to bring more reality television to the network, has been appointed managing director for CBC Québec.

Marquard has worked for public broadcasters all over the world, most notably in Sweden where, as entertainment head of the country’s national broadcaster, she green-lit Expedition Robinson, a show touted as precursor to the very successful “Survivor” phenomenon.

While the show was a huge hit in Sweden, some national media accused Marquard sharply criticized Marquard, who also received bomb threats at her house. The day after the finalé aired, Marquard quit and joined the CBC to run its the Whitehorse station.

In 2004, Marquard was formally tapped to “inject new reality-style techniques into all sorts of programming,” the Globe and Mail reported then. The first show she oversaw was a two-part series called Raging Hormones.

Rob Renaud acted as managing director while the CBC completed its recruitment process. Marquard’s home is now Montréal, having put roots there after her years of globetrotting. She speaks French fluently and starts her new job February 22.