Seven minutes. That’s all we had to pitch our Measure of a Man multi-platform entertainment property (in partnership with Ed Brando) to a panel of international digital content broadcasters and buyers at the Whistler Film Fest. We were up against some very strong competition – four other teams shortlisted after the Merging+Media Master Class held in October. Projects were incredibly diverse and creative, from an iPhone app for a Food Network show to a drama that unwound on the Web and TV, and we are absolutely thrilled that Measure of a Man won the NFB’s development prize. Check back for details as we move ahead with this property that crosses platforms and offers exciting opportunities for branding, sponsorship, user-generated content, and international export.

When you think ‘themed attraction’ Disneyland might be the first thing that jumps to mind. For TAA Canada, however, themed attractions extend well beyond amusement parks, encompassing Olympics and World Expositions, trade shows, conventions, museums, science centres, and more. TAA is a non-profit association of Canadian companies that provides a broad array of services for themed attraction projects around the world. As digital storytellers fresh from creating interactive installations at the 2010 Olympics (see our Digital Gateway and the Curious Tree projects), we knew Switch could complement TAA’s already impressive roster of capabilities. We also saw the value in belonging to an organization committed to fostering and promoting home-grown expertise in the planning, design, and execution of themed attractions. We’re excited to get involved at a deeper level as our Director of New Business, Mark Ross, joins TAA’s Board of Directors and takes on the role of Communications Chair.

Vancouver’s Olympics might be a fading memory but the 110-ft.-long interactive installation we created for the 2010 Commerce Centre at the BC Showcase is still getting ‘buzz’ via blogs, video channels, online articles, and more. Whether it’s the green architecture community, motion graphics experts, or themed event companies, our ‘people powered’ installation based on animated illustrations continues to interest people across a variety of industries. Most recently, the Digital Gateway won Applied Arts’ Photography & Illustration Awards in the Motion/Animation category. Get a glimpse of it in the latest print edition of the magazine or read about it in more depth on the Applied Arts Wire.

When it comes to the Banff World Television Awards (the Rockies), it really IS an honour just to be nominated. With over 900 entries from 43 countries, making the shortlist in this prestigious international competition recognizing outstanding creativity and innovation in TV is, in a word, humbling. Omni Film Productions and Switch United created a cross-platform strategy for Ice Pilots, Omni Film/History Television’s real-life series about Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways, that builds on the themes of the show while incorporating new content and new ways for fans and flying buffs to engage. In particular, the website includes an interactive Storymap that lets visitors contribute their own stories, videos, and photos about aviation North of 60. Supported by a robust social media campaign spearheaded by our partners at FanTrust, our cross-platform initiative helped Ice Pilots Season 1 become History Television’s most watched Canadian series ever. Rockie winners will be announced in June…and while we’re thrilled to be a nominee, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed til then.

The big news: After 27 years under different names and different divisions, our eclectic little band of multi-disciplinary designers, writers, and programmers are coming together under one name. One common goal.

SWITCH UNITED (under partners Catherine Winckler and Blair Pocock) will continue on as a small experimental studio specializing in multi-platform campaigns for entertainment and lifestyle-related clients. We look to our recent work with interactive digital installations at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (see videos for The Digital Gateway and The Curious Tree) .. our 20 year history with Nintendo of Canada.. our award-wining bicycle branding for MEC . and our ongoing work with TV and film production companies including Omni Film and Brent Butt’s Sparrow Media .. and we know we’ve found our ‘sweet spot.’ We love bringing our love of narrative and our passion for design to multiple platforms. As of April 1st we’ll be doing it under the Switch United name. Stay tuned …

Note: Why April 1st? We figured if it was good enough for Apple Computers who started April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, CA (and we know how that story turned out!), then it marked an auspicious start for us as well.

We made it! This year we were one of the five teams chosen from 50 pitches for the second annual Digital Development Lab sponsored by CBC, BC Film, and New Media BC. Designed to support the creation of new internet activities and original interactive entertainment, the three-day lab will give Switch the opportunity to further develop our game meets storytelling world of ‘Vomby the Zompire,’ a young vegetarian misfit with a Vampire mother, Zombie father, and human brain best friend, brought to life through animation and 3D glasses accessibility. If the three-day lab with top mentors and fellow producers wasn’t enough, they actually pick a winner and a $10,000 development prize.