The long weekend is right around the corner and we’re all rather excited
Here at Smokebomb we strive to stay ahead of the curve
What’s better than striking a deal with YTV for a digital series?
Sometimes, duty calls. For Jay Bennett, duty called him to Europe
Smokebomb Entertainment is an award-winning digital media production company creating groundbreaking original transmedia projects and engaging convergent extensions for TV. We are the digital arm of production and distribution company Shaftesbury .
Recent projects include the award-winning Totally Amp’d – the world’s first App series for tweens on iOS, the International Emmy-nominated Murdoch Mysteries: The Curse of the Lost Pharaohs, and the soon-to-be-released Unlikely Heroes on YTV.com. Smokebomb is currently in production on the buddy road trip comedy Backpackers for CW Digital and CTV, and State of Syn, an innovative transmedia 3D motion comic with Jewel Staite (Firefly; L.A. Complex) and David Hewlett (Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis).
Early this year, Smokebomb will continue to experiment with new formats and audience participation. Starting in February, Millennial and Legend of the Seeker writers Kay Reindl and Erin Maher will connect with their audience via a “hosted” social experience throughout the development of the urban-fantasy The Path. In addition, we will be debuting new distribution strategies with the physiological thriller Inhuman Condition.
Jay Bennett is an Emmy Award-winning transmedia creator, producer and writer with a distinct focus on creating engaging stories to attract and retain mainstream audiences across all platforms. He has worked for clients such as the BBC, Disney, CTV, FOX, and UKTV. As Vice-President and Creative Director of Smokebomb Entertainment – the digital arm of the Shaftesbury – Jay’s body of work includes creating and producing Totally Amp’d, the world’s first App series for iPad, iTouch and iPhone; creative producing the International Emmy- nominated 13-part web series Murdoch Mysteries: The Curse of the Lost Pharaohs for Citytv; creating and producing Backpackers for CW Digital and CTV and executive producing State of Syn – a 3D motion comic.
Previous credits include developing and writing the transmedia creative for the International Emmy-nominated Collapsus: The Energy Risk Conspiracy for Submarine; producing, writing and directing the International Emmy-nominated and Rose D’or-winning M.I.High: Whack the Mole! for the BBC; creative producing the International Emmy-nominated Total Drama Island – Totally Interactive! for Teletoon Canada and writing and directing the Fallen: Alternate Reality Game which was filmed on location around the world and won the first Prime Time Emmy for Interactive Television in 2007. Jay holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria. He has worked in India, the UK, the Netherlands and Canada and has had further media training with the National Film Board of Canada and the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association. He presented on numerous convergent and transmedia panels around the globe including StoryCode in New York, Short Ride in a Fast Machine in Amsterdam, MIPJunior in Cannes and Transmedia 3.0 in Bogota, Columbia.
An award-winning digital strategist experienced in creating integrated campaigns for local and international brands and non-profit organizations, Veronica Heringer serves as Transmedia Strategist for Smokebomb Entertainment. With a strong digital advertising acumen and proven track record as a researcher and technology writer, Heringer has created a variety of digital programs for clients such as the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia, and Playboy Brazil. Immediately prior to joining Smokebomb in 2012, Heringer was a Digital Strategist for internationally-recognized agency Tribal DDB Worldwide, working with clients including the Canadian Tourism Commission, BC Hydro and Wind Mobile in the creation of online outreach campaigns and digital strategies.
Heringer holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), and recently completed a Masters of Arts in Media Production at Ryerson University. Her Ryerson project, My Name is Jessica Klein, explores the connection between content, new technologies and audiences through the use of social media and won the 2012 Innovative Storyteller $20,000 Mentorship Initiative Award from marblemedia, a Toronto-based transmedia producer, and Corus Entertainment.
In her role as associate producer, Steph works on the development of new materials for Smokebomb’s original slate of projects. Recent responsibilities include acting as supervising producer on State of Syn, the 3D science-fiction motion novel and its companion transmedia extensions, and coordinating the social media launch of the Digi Award-winning mobile App Totally Amp’d, as well as on convergent properties Murdoch Effect, a web extension of Murdoch Mysteries season five, and Switch, the webseries companion to season three of The Listener on CTV.
Prior to her work at Smokebomb, Ouaknine was a drama development intern at Shaw Media. By night, she produces and directs independent theatre, and has worked for such companies as Interpunch in France, New Actor’s Colony Theatre in Muskoka, Player’s in Montreal, and Alumnae in Toronto. She is a graduate of McGill University and Sheridan College.
As Community Cultivator Carrie Hayden is responsible for managing all of Smokebomb’s social media channels, both corporate and project-based, and for conceiving and producing assets for the channels as required, as well as building relationships with influencers on different social media platforms.
Hayden has been with Shaftesbury since 2008, most recently in the role of Sales & Marketing Coordinator where she facilitated the organization of multiple international sales markets, including MIPCOM and MIPTV, and assisted in the production of marketing materials for all sales properties. Hayden studied at Wilfred Laurier University in Communication Studies, and is currently working towards a certificate in Graphic Design at George Brown College.
One of Canada’s most accomplished producers, Christina Jennings founded Shaftesbury in 1987 and has since built the company into a position of unique leadership and strength as a leading creator and distributor of the highest quality television and multiplatform content worldwide.
Shaftesbury is known for its innovative international partnerships as well as award-winning storytelling spanning including four seasons of one-hour drama series The Listener for CTV and Fox International Channels; and six seasons of the Victorian-era detective series Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv, UKTV, ITV Studios Global Entertainment and new Canadian broadcast partner CBC. Shaftesbury’s extensive slate of programming for kids and families includes the global hit series Life with Derek and its movie follow up, Vacation with Derek. Jennings oversees and serves as executive producer on all of Shaftesbury’s productions.
Shaftesbury’s divisions include in-house digital media group Smokebomb Entertainment, creating companion web experiences and original transmedia projects such as Totally Amp’d and State of Syn; Shaftesbury Sales Company, managing international sales and distribution; and Shaftesbury U.S., the company’s Los Angeles-based development division.
© Copyright 2013, Smokebomb Entertainment
