Richard Koo
Television and digital Media Research and Production in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Richard Koo is an accomplished media professional, producer and host. With over 20 years of experience in a variety of production, research and broadcast policy development roles, Richard brings a unique perspective and expertise to the development of transmedia content in Canada.
Richard is currently the head of TV and Digital Media measurement initiatives at the Canada Media Fund. He also co-manages the CMF's annual distribution of over $350 million in production and development financing to the industry. Previously, he spent five years at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as the lead audience research officer for CBC Sports, working on major broadcast properties including Hockey Night in Canada and the Olympic Games.
For three seasons (2010-2012), Richard was the national host of Reach For The Top, Canada's long-running knowledge-based game show. Before being named host, he spent four seasons (2007-2010) as managing editor and associate producer for the series airing on TVO, Knowledge and CLT. During this period, he also produced and presented "Foreign Correspondent", a weekly travel segment for RFTT that originated from locations in Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, the UK and USA.
Other significant achievements have included: national semi-finalist in the Jeopardy! Clue Crew on-air talent search (2005); Canadian delegate to the International Olympic Academy's 47th Session for Young Participants (2007); mission staff member for the Canadian Olympic Team in Beijing (2008).
Richard has an extensive involvement in sport: as an elected member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the current president of the International Olympic Academy Participants Association, a national umpire with Rowing Canada, and a multiple Boston Marathon qualifier.
Richard holds a B.A. from The University of British Columbia and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto. He is fluent in English and French, and has a working knowledge of Mandarin after having spent a year living in China.