MUMBAI: Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the ‘CSI‘ franchise, is set to receive the 2013 Pioneer Prize at the International Digital Emmy Awards for his online thriller ‘Cybergeddon‘. Zuiker will be honored during the live ceremony on 8 April at the television trade event MipTV in Cannes, France.
He created and executive produced ‘Cybergeddon‘, which broke the online distribution mold by launching globally first on Yahoo! in September of 2012 in 25 countries and 10 languages, as a series of three installments. ‘Cybergeddon‘ starred Olivier Martinez and Missy Peregrym and brought to life the growing threat of cybercrime through an immersive storytelling, social media and gaming experience. Norton by Symantec was tapped to lend credibility and security insights and the project was backed by Dolphin Digital Media in a deal brokered and packaged by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences president, CEO Bruce Paisner said, "Anthony E. Zuiker is one of today‘s most groundbreaking cross-platform storytellers, and we look forward to honoring his creative genius and innovative contributions to the field of digital entertainment with our Pioneer Prize."
Zuiker said, "It is an absolute honour to be recognised by the International Academy for ‘Cybergeddon‘. This was a project that really changed the game for online content in terms of ownership, global distribution and brand integration, so I appreciate the Academy for supporting digital and the great work that is moving this industry forward."
In addition to the Pioneer Prize, The International Academy will present three International Digital Emmy Awards for Digital Programme: Children and Young People; Digital Programme: Fiction and Digital Programme: Non-Fiction.
As in previous years, the International Digital Emmy Awards will bring together over 200 international executives across the entertainment, mobile and Internet industries at a ceremony, on the opening night of MipTV 2013.
Zuiker will also be part of MipTV‘s conference programme with a Media Mastermind keynote on the future of storytelling.
