Innovation Lives Here Campaign Reflects Province’s Vibrant Economy
Campaign to Highlight Innovation and Business Success in Newfoundland and Labrador
An energetic, story-focused media campaign that promotes the innovative work being done by entrepreneurs, industry and research institutions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador was launched today by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Premier Dunderdale was joined by representatives from Provincial Aerospace, Best Boy Entertainment, SubC Imaging, Magine Snowboards, C&W Industrial Fabrication and Marine Equipment, Verafin Inc., Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc., and Memorial University to launch the campaign at the Provincial Aerospace Centre in St. John’s.
“There are so many incredible stories emerging from all over Newfoundland
and Labrador that demonstrate innovation and contribute to the strong,
growing vibrant economy in our province. Through the Innovation Lives Here
campaign, our government is launching a movement to celebrate those
successes and acknowledge those who are excelling in innovation. We have an
amazing story to tell and who better to tell that story than those whose
ingenuity and drive is writing it.”
- The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Innovation Lives Here campaign will feature a number of Newfoundland and Labrador innovators and entrepreneurs telling their stories, with the initial phase of the campaign beginning immediately. The campaign will feature television commercials, cinema feature spots and a new website, www.innovationlivesherenl.ca, which includes the commercials, short videos and information on other innovation success stories. The first phase of the campaign will feature Provincial Aerospace, Best Boy Entertainment, SubC Imaging and Magine Snowboards, with other groups to be featured in future spots. Organization profiles can be found in the backgrounder below.
Provincial Aerospace is an aerospace and defense company with a focus on mission systems design and integration, aircraft modifications, surveillance operations, logistics and in-service support. Having flown maritime surveillance aircraft for over 35 years, Provincial Aerospace has evolved into a world leader in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and maritime patrol aircraft operations and systems.
“Provincial Aerospace gained its expertise in maritime surveillance by
flying in one the most challenging climates in the world – the North
Atlantic. The experience gained here at home has propelled us to success
around the world and made us global leaders in our industry.”
- Steve Dinn, Vice President, Provincial Aerospace
Best Boy Entertainment is a multi-media production company with productions focused on docu-dramas, children’s educational games, as well as television and interactive web content.
“Best Boy Entertainment is committed to making innovation the core of
everything we do – from developing a children's toy that features augmented
reality to adopting motion capture technology in our television and film
productions. Our Zorbit's Math Adventure games for children test the
boundaries of gameplay and education. We believe our success as a company
depends on maintaining a culture of innovation. The Department of
Innovation, Business and Rural Development has played a vital role in our
pursuit of innovation, and we look forward to a continuing partnership.”
- Judy Snow, Best Boy Entertainment
Based in Port au Port and established in 2011, Magine is fully engaged in the passion of designing, developing and delivering lasting quality snowboards.
“We have been working with IBRD from the early stages of Magine
Snowboards. Their support and guidance have been integral in amplifying our
efforts, allowing us to compete in a national marketplace and bring revenue
to the province. We are thrilled to work on this campaign so we can welcome
viewers into our operation to share our vision, dedication, and passion for
manufacturing here in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Mike Maddock, Magine Snowboards
SubC Imaging is a dynamic knowledge-based company providing leading edge imaging solutions for underwater applications. SubC's product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of underwater video cameras, digital stills cameras, lighting and media management solutions. SubC Imaging also specializes in systems for Remotely Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Standalone installations.
“SubC is very excited to be a part of the emerging Ocean Technology
sector in the province. Provincial Government support, through organizations
such as the Research and Development Corporation, has been integral in
fostering the development of technology not found anywhere else in the
world. This has enabled SubC to establish a highly-skilled workforce in
Clarenville with promising prospects for future growth. Additional support
through the department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development has
greatly assisted SubC in its international market development efforts. As a
result, SubC products have been sold worldwide to clients in over fifteen
countries.”
- Ron Collier, Director of Sales & Marketing, SubC Imaging
Newfoundland and Labrador is leading Canada in economic growth in 2013, where business optimism remains high, the resource sector has boosted capital investment to record levels, created employment and raised consumer spending.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Tracey Boland Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 697-3128 traceyboland@gov.nl.ca |
Mike Maddock Magine Snowboards 709-648-2730 mike@maginesnowboards.com |
Ron Collier Director of Sales and Marketing, SubC Imaging 709-864-7805 |
Judy Snow Publicist Best Boy Entertainment 709-687-6204 judy@bestboy.ca |
Torrie J. George Marketing Planner Provincial Aerospace 709-576-1631 |
BACKGROUNDER
Innovators and Entrepreneurs Featured in Innovation Lives Here
Campaign
Provincial Aerospace
Provincial Aerospace is a world leader in maritime surveillance, working
with governments and militaries around the world. Uniquely positioned in the
marketplace as a full-service aerospace and defense company, Provincial
Aerospace leads the way with innovative mission system designs and
integration, aircraft modifications, surveillance operations, logistics and
in-service support. Having flown maritime surveillance aircrafts for over 35
years for government, military, and industry clientele, the company has
evolved into a world leader in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance,
and maritime patrol aircraft operations and systems. Additional information
can be found at: www.provincialaerospace.com.
Best Boy Entertainment
Best Boy Entertainment is a multi-media production company with productions
focused on docu-dramas, children’s educational games, as well as television
and interactive web content. Their first gaming venture, a children’s
educational game called Zorbit’s Math Adventure, has just launched in
English speaking countries around the world. It will soon be launched in
Spanish, French, and Portuguese. The company currently employs more than 40
people, and is already looking to expand to meet the demands of their world
marketplace. Additional information can be found at:
www.bestboy.ca.
SubC Imaging
SubC Imaging is a dynamic knowledge-based company providing leading-edge
imaging solutions for underwater applications. Creating innovative and
reliable solutions for complex problems that arise in the professional
underwater market, Sub C’s high-resolution underwater cameras and
interfacing are unlike anything in the market. The business has expanded to
accommodate manufacturing, assembly, and research and development. Over the
past two years, SubC has successfully established contacts and generated
sales throughout the world, with clients in industries like offshore oil &
gas, ocean observatories, aerospace and defence, deep sea mining,
hydrographic surveying, and ROV manufacturers. SubC Imaging currently has
seven full time employees. Additional information can be found at:
www.subseaimaging.com
Magine Snowboard
Magine Snowboard, located in Port Au Port, is carving out a big name for
themselves in the snowboard industry. Magine builds custom snowboards using
local resources and innovative, environmentally sustainable materials.
Fueled by a passion for the environment and the local community, the base of
each board is made from locally cut wood, coated with ecologically sensitive
resins, and then topped with unique graphics designed by a local artist.
Quality, craftsmanship, and ecological responsibility are handcrafted into
each and every board that the company produces. Currently, the boards are
being distributed to retailers in Corner Brook and St. John's as well as
retailers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta. Additional information
can be found at:
www.maginesnowboards.com.
C&W Industrial Fabrication and Marine Equipment
C&W is a fabrication company located in Bay Bulls. The company has been in
operation since 1972 and employs up to 70 people at peak time. They
specialize in the manufacturing of seafood processing equipment, onshore and
offshore factory vessels, and custom aluminum work. For the last seven
years, C&W has been working with an American transient ocean engineering
company that makes ROV systems for the oil and gas industry. C&W has been
responsible for manufacturing stainless steel protective casings for these
ROV units, called ROV Cursor Guides. As a complete ROV package, these units
are then sold to oil companies and used in exploration hotspots around the
world. Additional information can be found at:
www.cwindustrial.com.
Verafin Inc.
With a background in robotics, the owners of Verafin were able to establish
a unique approach to preventing financial crimes. Their solution combines
advanced artificial intelligence technologies with sophisticated pattern
recognition techniques. The software is programmed to think about
transactions the same way a person would, giving it the ability to spot
suspicious account activity. Additional information can be found at:
www.verafin.com.
Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc.
Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. is a leading provider of unique eLearning
solutions for regions, industries, groups, and individuals in over 100
different countries. Their learning platforms are helping people all over
the world gain employable skills and develop small businesses by keeping up
with evolving technology. As a winner of the Clinton Global Initiative
Award, the company is focused on helping people efficiently acquire
in-demand skills at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
Additional information can be found at:
www.bluedrop.com.
Cardiac Gene Discovery at Memorial University/Dr. Terry Lynn Young
Researchers at Memorial University have discovered the gene responsible for
ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), a deadly genetic
heart condition commonly found in this province. Discovery of the gene was
made by Memorial’s interdisciplinary cardiac genetics research team, led by
Drs. Terry-Lynn Young, a molecular geneticist; Patrick Parfrey, a clinical
epidemiologist; and Sean Connors, a cardiologist. As a result of their
discovery, doctors are able to perform life-saving intervention on those
diagnosed with this condition. Though initially thought that this genetic
mutation was exclusive to Newfoundland, collaborations with international
heart research institutes have uncovered cases in other countries.
Memorial’s gene discovery is now helping to save lives around the world.
Memorial University - STePS2 /Dr. Claude Daley
The Arctic is poised to be a strategic location of research and industrial
activity in the near future. Offshore oil and gas, shipping, and fishing
companies need to know how harsh conditions can affect valuable equipment
and tools, making the Faculty of Engineering’s Sustainable Technology for
Polar Ships and Structures (STePS2) a valuable and essential piece of
research. Claude Daley, Chair of Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering
with the Faculty of Engineering at Memorial University, is the principal
researcher of STePS2. Given the harsh, difficult conditions of the Arctic,
Mr. Daley and his team rely heavily on the use of the high performance
computer models to produce accurate and important research data. These
models allow the team to learn valuable lessons regarding ice loads and
structural capacity that might be otherwise learned at great cost through
experience in the field.
2013 11 14 9:25 a.m.