marblemedia and Corus Announce Winner of 2009 Innovative Storytellers Award
Toronto-based Corus Entertainment and marblemedia has announced the winner of the 2009 Innovative Storytellers Award: Ryerson graduate student Jason Thompson.
Thompson will receive a grant and industry mentorship for his thesis, Enviromation, which envisions providing children with an international forum, through an innovative online platform, to exchange ideas and solutions about the environment.
The $20,000, five-year educational initiative was launched in 2008 in conjunction with Ryerson University’s Master of Arts in Media Production program. The award celebrates an outstanding Ryerson graduate student whose thesis explores the connection between content, new technologies and audiences.
Jason Thompson is an award-winning animator, storyboard artist and illustrator. He has more than 15 years of experience in children’s television, commercials and advertising working for companies including Cuppa Coffee, Cookie Jar, CORE DP, Key Gordon Communications and Ogilvy & Mather.
“Jason has a passionate vision of the possibilities that exist for children and the impact new media and animation has on them,” said Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg, Executive Producers and founders of marblemedia and Ryerson alumni. “We are proud to honour him with this award and to provide guidance for his career.”
The winner of the Innovative Storytellers Award receives a grant plus a series of one-on-one sessions with industry executives from Corus Entertainment and marblemedia that offers the winner greater insight into the business as well as guidance for their thesis. Mentors are selected from the areas of creative production, broadcasting, technology, legal and sales and marketing.
“Congratulations to Jason Thompson on this award,” said Susan Makela, Director Program Funds and Policy, Television, Corus Entertainment. “The media and entertainment landscape is changing at a rapid pace and Corus is committed to supporting educational initiatives like the Innovative Storytellers Award that foster emerging talent and encourage new ideas that can contribute to the success of the industry.”
“I am honoured to receive this award,” said Jason Thompson. “I am looking forward to speaking one-on-one with the executives. This experience will undoubtedly give me great insight into the industry and provide direction for both my thesis and career.”
“Jason Thompson is a firm believer in empowering younger generations to share their opinions on environmental issues through new media and animated storytelling,” said Dana Lee, Graduate Program Director at Ryerson. “Enviromation is an online platform for children to express ideas and opinions about issues that are important to them. The study outlines a model setting where young people can upload their short animated films for viewing, share ideas and work with peers on an international platform. Jason Thompson’s work is innovative and creative and we are pleased to present him with the 2009 Innovative Storytellers Award.”