Julia Johnston

Hi, I'm Julia Johnston. Welcome to my profile!

Julia Johnston's Experience:

• Vice President, Corporate Practice Lead, Toronto Office at NATIONAL Public Relations

  November 2011 - July 2013

  NATIONAL is the largest public relations consultancy in Canada with offices located in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Saint John, New York and London. The Firm serves leading corporate, government and institutional clients and offers the full range of communications services, including corporate communications, investor relations, public affairs, employee engagement, public consultation and participation, marketing, technology and healthcare communications, as well as digital communications. It offers medical communication services under the name AXON. At the international level, the Firm is affiliated with Burson-Marsteller, a part of WPP Group, the largest communications company in the world

• Co-Founder and CEO at mEgo, Inc

  November 2005 - August 2011

  Instrumental in the development, launch and operation of this leading-edge portable profile, avatar and aggregation tool targeted at social networkers.

• Consultant at MZ Media (Moses Znaimer)

  May 2003 - November 2005

  Co-led bid to purchase Toronto 1 TV on behalf of City TV founder Moses Znaimer. Completed purchase of CFMX-FM, Canada's only English-language commercial classical music radio station and was instrumental in deal to acquire control of publicly traded Fifty Plus International Inc. and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)

• Senior Vice President, Business Development at PCCW

  April 2000 - May 2003

  Responsible for negotiating deals for content, distribution and application development and deployment on web site www.now.com, television channel NOW.TV (seen in Asia) and on www.Gamer.tv. Overall strategic development of cross-platform game service - Gamer.tv - including television, iTV, web and mobile applications. Participation in evaluation of various deals in Europe and North America for PCCW in Hong Kong; This involved preparing financial models, analyzing investment opportunities and conducting due diligence.

• Associate at CIBC World Markets (Toronto)

  August 1999 - April 2000

  Participated in a variety of deals, created proposals and assisted in preparation of valuations including: US$290 million initial public offering of telecommunications company (March 2000); C$60 million special warrants deal for Canadian Satellite Networking company.

• Associate at Pacific Century (GC) Holdings (Toronto)

  September 1998 - August 1999

  One of team of three responsible for sale of Gordon Capital Corporation (GCC) to HSBC Securities, Canada (HSBC) in Jan. 1999. After completion of transaction, continue to manage assets not acquired by HSBC as well as ongoing litigation with various parties, including claim for over C$80 million. Successfully settled in 2006.

• Articling Student at McCarthy Tetrault, Barristers and Solicitors (Toronto)

  February 1998 - August 1999

  Participated in articling student program Worked in the Broadcast Law Group on various matters before the CRTC. Seconded from McCarthy's to Pacific Century (GC) Holdings in Sept.1998 to work on sale of GCC (see above).

• Business Development Manager at Pacific Century Asset Management (Hong Kong)

  December 1993 - August 1997

  Participated in screening of various venture capital deals and active investments in telecommunications and high tech including: Major US internet service provider and consumer device, valued at over US$400 million; Internet travel service and web site; One of the global satellite telecommunications networks, operating in the low earth orbit (LEO). With former Chairman of Gucci, drove analysis of potential purchase of major world-wide clothing brand (1996 revenues of approx. $800 million) - responsible for due diligence and creation of business plans and forecasts. Involved in start-up and initial project management of pan-Asian satellite telecommunications company with creators of STAR TV after sale of majority interest in STAR TV to News Corporation. Responsible for developing strategy, managing and successfully negotiating "interconnect" agreements with telecommunications companies worldwide; Responsible for regulatory and lobbying strategy with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Hong Kong and UK governments for obtaining satellite orbital positions and related licenses worldwide. One of team of three responsible for obtaining the first international telecommunications license awarded to a foreign company by the Japanese government and overall responsibility for developing Japanese operating strategy after licensing. Participated in evaluation of PCS business in Canada with Hutchison Telecom. Assisted with strategy, negotiation and conclusion of sale of remaining minority interest in STAR TV to News Corporation in June 1995 for approx. US$325 million.

• Intern at CBC Newsworld (Toronto)

  October 1991 - April 1992

  Worked on preparation of network's successful license renewal.

• Co-Founder at What's Next Lab Inc.

  July 2013

  What's Next Lab is a technology company that leverages its global network of energized entrepreneurs, writers, engineers, designers and artists - a full spectrum of the next generation of talent - to solve meaningful challenges faced by business, government, and civil society partners. We are experts at surfacing what's next.

• Member of Board of Directors at Zoomer Media Inc. (Toronto)

  January 2009

  Head of Corporate Governance Committee

Julia Johnston's Education:

• University of Toronto

  1990 – 2003
  LLB

• Princeton University

  1986 – 1990
  Honors B.A
  Concentration: Political Economy