#FUNDRAISING: ACCENT AIGU ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCH THE IRINA FOUNDATION

Accent Aigu Entertainment (AAE), producer of the critically acclaimed global hit series Heated Rivalry, announced today the launch of the Irina Foundation, a private independent fund dedicated to championing inclusivity and mental well-being by connecting people through organized sports and arts programs. Established by AAE co-founders Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, the Foundation will support organizations that create opportunities for LGBTQIA2S+ and underserved communities to participate, build relationships and foster a sense of belonging.

Irina Foundation was founded on the belief that shared participation can create belonging and strengthen mental well-being and resilience in ways few other approaches can. By supporting organizations that create these spaces, the Foundation aims to help individuals build meaningful connections while fostering stronger, more connected communities around them.

Global lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York has played an integral role in bringing the Foundation to life and making connections with other like-minded partners, like men’s grooming brand Harry’s, who brings a decade of experience championing men’s mental health. As part of that commitment, Kate Spade will make a founding contribution to the Irina Foundation as its inaugural donor, with Harry’s also joining as an early supporter of the fund.

“For many of us, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen on a team, in a studio or on a stage – places where we find our people, discover what lights us up and feel like we belong,” said Tierney and Brady. “We’ve been incredibly lucky to build something we love and along the way find a community that means so much to us. The Foundation is our way of giving back. We’re grateful to Kate Spade and Harry’s for seeing that vision and helping us make it possible.”

This launch builds on a year of significant philanthropic activity by AAE. Over the past few months, AAE, together with its partners, fans and broader community has helped raise over $1.5 million USD for organizations and initiatives advancing inclusion, accessibility and social impact, including You Can Play, the New York LGBTQ Center and Rainbow Railroad, among others. The Irina Foundation will carry that work forward through a dedicated effort.

The Foundation takes its name from the foundation that Heated Rivalry characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov created in Rachel Reid’s New York Times bestselling Game Change series, which is named after Ilya’s mother, Irina, who struggled with her own mental health.

“We chose the name Irina Foundation because, at the heart of Heated Rivalry, Irina represents something much bigger. She reminds us that behind every struggle is a person who deserves to be seen, loved and supported,” said Jayme Alter Wilson, President of Accent Aigu Entertainment. “The Foundation is our way of honouring that message. We hope to channel the love people have for the world Rachel has created, and for Shane and Ilya, into something that can make a meaningful difference in the real world.”

The Irina Foundation will be guided by an advisory board. Additional details about the Foundation to be announced. For information about the Irina Foundation visit irina-foundation.com.

A donor-advised fund for the Irina Foundation has been established in Canada through the Private Giving Foundation, a registered public foundation recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec and administered through TD Wealth. The Foundation provides the philanthropic infrastructure to receive charitable contributions and facilitate strategic grantmaking in support of The Irina Foundation’s charitable mission and intended impact.

In the US, the Irina Foundation is a Donor Advised Fund led by Accent Aigu Entertainment, powered by Panorama Global. Panorama Global is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, providing the philanthropic platform and infrastructure for the foundation’s grantmaking and impact.

About Accent Aigu Entertainment

Accent Aigu Entertainment (AAE) is a media and entertainment company founded by Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady. Since its inception, AAE has focused on developing, producing and redefining premium scripted content for global audiences. AAE’s current slate includes the critically acclaimed global hit series Heated Rivalry, which premiered in November 2025 and is currently in production on its second season. The series has garnered a Peabody Award, a Television Academy Honours Award, and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New Television Series. Heated Rivalry received 18 Canadian Screen Award nominations, winning in all categories nominated including Best Drama Series, Best Writing, and Best Direction, and setting a record for the most wins by a series in a single year.

#INTERVIEW: DEPARTURE HONOURS 2026 – JACOB TIERNEY, SARAH MCLACHLAN, LILLY SINGH, MAGGIE KANG AND MORE

Honouring Canadian Trailblazers and their groundbreaking accomplishments, the second edition of DEPARTURE HONOURS took place last night at Toronto’s Koerner Hall with a star-studded group of notables in attendance. The Departure Festival + Conference is a re-incarnation of what formerly was Canadian Music Week, running from May 4–10, 2026, that acts as a hub for music, technology, art, and media. It combines a high-level industry conference with a city-wide festival featuring live music, comedy showcases, and film

Honoured this year were:

Lilly Singh (Trailblazer Award): Recognized for her impact as a creator and trailblazer.

Bruce Allen (Lifetime Achievement Award): Honoured for his decades-long career in music management, representing artists like Bryan Adams and Michael Bublé.

Sarah McLachlan (Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award): Recognized for her philanthropic work and musical contributions.

Maggie Kang (Cultural Innovator Award): The creator/director of KPop Demon Hunters, who was also awarded a Key to the City of Toronto during the festival earlier in the day.

Jacob Tierney (Creative Impact Award): Writer, director, and producer known for Heated Rivalry and Letterkenny.

The Remix Project (Industry Achievement Award): Recognized for their work in empowering youth in creative industries. 

Heated Rivalry star Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova was in attendance to present Tierney with his award.

The Gala was hosted by CTV personalities Traci Melchor and Tyrone Edwards.

Some highlights from the Red Carpet as we were joined by special contributor Angela McLean, including last night’s Honourees, who reflect upon their success and their path to where they are now:

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There still are several exciting conferences, film screenings, showcases, and more to check out. Details are at departureto.com.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#INTERVIEW: THE CAST AND CREATORS OF “HEATED RIVALRY”

Based on Rachel Reid‘s wildly-popular GAME CHANGERS books, anticipation is great for upcoming Crave Original series HEATED RIVALRY. Above this, it has just been announced that HBO Max also has picked-up the Series, giving it exponential potential now that it has such a wide audience.

The Series centers on two rising stars in Hockey, Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie) who duke it out on the rink, before realizing their attraction to one another. This leads to a secret affair that spans several years, set against a backdrop of stigma where being outed might affect their careers adversely.

A Toronto Premiere was held at TIFF Lightbox last night with the Creators, including Reid and Series Director Jacob Tierney, plus the Cast in-attendance. Having seen the first episode of the Series, get ready for things to get real spicy! It isn’t every day a Canadian series has the opportunity this big, so we are expecting big things ahead.

Catch our chats with the Cast and Creators, including:

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@mrwillwong I don't think you're ready for HEATED RIVALRY! This show is spicy!! Based on Rachel Reid's popular GAME CHANGERS books, this series centers on two rival hockey players secretly in love, while duking it out on the rink. Chemisty off the charts!! HEATES RIVALRY arrives 11.28.25 on Crave, and has just been picked-up by HBO Max! #heatedrivalry #gamechangers #heatedrivalryseries ♬ Heal – Deza

HEATED RIVALRY arrives November 28, 2025 on both HBO Max and Crave.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)