difuze Announces the Appointment of Nicolas Savoie as President and Welcomes New Investors
difuze, Canada’s leading provider of postproduction, dubbing, accessibility, and media services for the Canadian and international audiovisual industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicolas Savoie as President. This leadership transition marks a new chapter for the company as founding partners François Deschamps and Alain Baccanale prepare to retire by the end of 2026.
Drawing on his empowering leadership and strategic vision, Nicolas Savoie will lead a renewed executive team composed of seasoned in-house managers, ensuring the continued pursuit of the mission and values that have shaped difuze’s reputation. “The company is fortunate to rely on a talented, committed, and people-focused leadership team that is fully equipped to build on the remarkable growth achieved in recent years. I am confident that this new generation of leaders will guide difuze to new heights” stated François Deschamps, outgoing President.
difuze also stands out as the first company to receive an equity investment from SODEC following the adoption of Bill 108, the Act Respecting the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles. This partnership marks a historic milestone for Québec’s cultural industry, and difuze is proud to be at the forefront of this new chapter. “Our participation in this strategic transaction is unprecedented; it represents the very first equity investment by SODEC’s Financial Services since the recent modernization of its Act. We are proud to support the growth and long-term vitality of difuze, a Québec-based company with an international reputation, and to bring forward the expertise of our team of professionals dedicated to financing the cultural and creative industries” said Louise Lantagne, President and CEO of SODEC.
An investor since 2023, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ is reaffirming its confidence in difuze, underscoring its continued commitment to supporting innovative Québec companies that drive value creation. With the backing of such leading investors, difuze is poised to accelerate its expansion, both locally and on the international stage. “By successfully executing a well-planned business transition, François Deschamps and Alain Baccanale have created the ideal foundation for difuze’s continued growth. With Nicolas Savoie as President and a strong leadership team in place, difuze is well positioned to build on its momentum and strengthen its standing as a Canadian leader in the audiovisual industry” said Saloua Benkhouya, Vice President, Private Equity Impact Investing Service Industries Entertainment & Gaming at Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
These new partnerships also bring together private investors, including members of difuze’s own leadership team, all driven by a shared commitment to ensuring the company’s long-term success. “difuze is fortunate to benefit from the trust and backing of institutional, private, and internal investors alike. This strong and diversified support underscores the confidence placed in the company and serves as a powerful catalyst for continued growth” added Alain Baccanale, outgoing Vice President, Finance and Administration.
“I’m honored to lead such a strong, respected, and forward-thinking company as difuze” stated Nicolas Savoie, President of difuze. “Building on the dedication of our teams and the continued trust of our investor partners, I’m committed to driving the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.”