The 17th Annual Communicator Awards, judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, awarded WHITECOAT Strategies with a Silver Medal for “New Hope for Gene Therapy,” a video the company produced for the Biotechnology Industry Organization. The three minute video tells the story of a young boy named Corey Haas who was born virtually blind but thanks to a gene therapy procedure can now see. WHITECOAT also won a gold medal for the video from the Peer Awards in 2010.
“We’re honored to receive this award,” said WHITECOAT CEO David Welch. “We put a lot of time and energy into this project and it’s always nice to be recognized. But the real winner here is Corey, who thanks to advancements in biotechnology can now live a more normal life. We’re just happy we had the opportunity to tell his amazing story.”
About the Communicator Awards:
The Communicator Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals. Founded by communication professionals over a decade ago, The Communicator Awards is an annual competition honoring the best in advertising,corporate ommunications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The 2011 Communicator Awards received over 6000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms, and public relations firms.
Who is behind the Communicator Awards:
The Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA). The IAVA is an invitation-only member-based organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current membership represents a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including: Condè Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, HBO, Keller Crescent, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Tribal DDB, Victoria’s Secret, Wired, Yahoo!, and many others. See www.iavisarts.org for more information.
Editors Note: Below is a blog post Welch wrote last year about producing the video:
As a producer of science and biotech films I look for three important story elements: Excitement and drama, compelling heroes, and yes, a little romance. This may surprise some people. After all, this is science…not a Lifetime movie. But when we discuss amazing cures for our planet, whether it be in medicine, agriculture or industry, the makings of a really good story are always at hand.
I am happy to say this short form three minute video has all three elements. What could be more exciting than a biotech cure to a rare genetic disease that had left 9-year-old Corey Haas virtually blind since birth? Or more dramatic than 3-dimensional animation that visually describes Corey’s procedure. Heroes? This video is packed with them. From Dr. Jean Bennett and her clinical trial and surgical team to Dr. Steve Rose and his research colleagues at the Fighting Blindness Foundation to young Corey himself. And if you’re looking for a little love and romance you need to look no further than the emotion of Corey’s parents who never lost hope that one day their son would have his vision restored.
The inspiration for the video actually came from Dr. Stephen Sherwin, president and CEO of Ceregene and currently the Chairman of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Steve asked us to produce a video about renewed hope and interest in gene therapy that he could show during his Keynote Address at the BIO Convention in Chicago. He wanted a factual and realistic portrayal of Corey’s story and a video about hope and perseverance.
In reviewing the final cut I was again reminded that the stories of science and biotechnology are best told visually. Video allows us to bring together the scientists with those who benefit from their science. It is a powerful and emotional combination. I must also admit to a little luck. Jean Bennett and Steve Rose are fantastic interviews, each presenting their expertise in language easily understandable by wide audiences. Their dedication to science combined with a personal affinity for patients like Corey really comes through.
In the end, however, it is a story about a special little boy who is as normal as apple pie. He rides his bike (fast) and plays hand-to-eye games on Wii like a world champion. And in 2009, Corey Haas completed his first season of Little League baseball. I don’t think his batting average even mattered.
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