Award-winning creative agency Media One Group establishes student distinction awards

Media One Group (external link, opens in new window)  has established two generous awards for students of The Creative School, with recipients honoured this past fall 2021 academic year. ‘The Derek Rider Award of Storytelling Excellence (external link)  in partnership with Media One Group’ and ‘The Corey Peck Award of Production Excellence in partnership with Media One Group’ encourage students to push the boundaries of storytelling and expand what is technologically possible within media production. In affiliation with award-winning digital video agency Media One Creative (external link, opens in new window) , co-founders and alumni of The Creative School, Derek Rider (external link, opens in new window)  (Journalism ‘10) and Corey Peck (external link, opens in new window)  (RTA Media ‘10), established the accolade as a way to give back to the alma mater they credit with helping to build the foundation for their success.

Toronto-based Media One Creative is Canada’s fastest-growing digital video agency and creative production house, specializing in strategic content creation. With deep roots and expertise in production, journalism, and entertainment, Media One Creative helps clients tell their stories through brand films, engaging content, and content-driven events. Peck and Rider co-founded Media One Creative and now lead Media One Group (external link, opens in new window)  across Toronto, Los Angeles, New York and London. They have worked with notable brands like Nike, GE, Ford, Tim Hortons, Budweiser, Scotiabank, KPMG, BMO, as well as many others. The Media One Creative team conceives, produces, and leverages innovative and effective digital video content, strategies, and campaigns, across various industries, having produced over 3000 projects for 120+ global clients.

When personal and brand values align to support growth, innovation and excellence

Derek Rider graduated with a journalism degree in 2010 and credits the school with providing the fundamentals of writing, storytelling and documentary filmmaking (external link, opens in new window) , ⁠—skills he continues to use in his professional career over a decade later. A storyteller at heart, Rider was drawn to entrepreneurism and co-founded Media One Group, an international agency that creates branded entertainment for the largest brands in the world. ‘The Derek Rider Award of Storytelling Excellence’ was created to recognize students who have a passion for branded storytelling and entertainment.

Rider shares why it felt like the right time to give back, defines what he stands for, and what Media One Group represents.

“For me, establishing this award is about recognizing storytelling, and the different paths one can take to become a storyteller,” he says. “As a graduate of the broadcast journalism program, my internship at Business News Network is what helped decide my career path. That critical foundation and exposure equipped me for entrepreneurship.”

Rider wanted to spotlight the skill and craft of effective storytelling with this inaugural award.

“If we can celebrate those who practice storytelling, whether it's marketing a movie or a piece of music or a brand narrative, it connects us, it binds us and it's fundamental,” he asserts.

Rider and Peck both share the view that part of the power of storytelling is also a diversity of perspectives. 

‘One of our strengths as a company is diversity,” shares Rider. “To be able to tell stories, you need to tell them from different perspectives as a way of resonating with the great world that we're in. Our stories have taken us as far as Nairobi, Kenya for a film about period poverty around the globe. Pandora's Box was created in a way that brought people together around the world. It is a pretty powerful thing. Storytelling - it's human.”

Honourees demonstrate excellence and achievement

Rider offers his sincere congratulations to the winner (chosen by an independent committee) for being recognized for a story worth telling. Sponsored by Media One Group, ‘The Derek Rider Award of Storytelling Excellence’ was awarded to fourth-year Journalism student Vanessa Wright (external link, opens in new window)  who will be honoured with the $1,000 gift to continue developing new approaches to storytelling. Her written submission explored the versatility, resilience and ingenuity of Black women in sports journalism as a way to highlight the challenges faced by and the perseverance of Black women, while encouraging readers to think more critically about race relations in Canada. 

“I am beyond honoured to be recognized for my ability and love for storytelling,” says Wright. “This award reignites my passion and dedication to engaging in truthful and impactful journalism. I would like to show my utmost appreciation and gratitude to Media One and Derek Rider for offering this incredible award and recognizing the importance of telling meaningful stories.”

Pushing the boundaries of technology in production

Corey Peck is a graduate of the RTA Media program and credits the school for encouraging experimentation and providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

“Often I was getting either direct support from professors, technical support - they would always give us the equipment that we needed,” says Peck. “And, sometimes we would get connected with alumni or companies in the industry. So, I found that because we were always trying to push the possibilities of content, the school really rallied behind us.”

Peck says his degree prepared him for content creation and production specifically. This evolved into expertise in video content creation as brands sought content that was more story-driven. 

The award established by Peck aims to identify students who are curious and experimental in their approach to media production and are eager to push the boundaries of what is possible. Peck believes it’s these creators that are going to propel the industry forward. 

Sponsored by Media One, ‘The Corey Peck Award of Production Excellence’ was awarded to fourth-year RTA Media Production student Naomi Chen (chosen by an independent committee) who will be honoured with the $1,000 gift to boost innovative use of current and emerging technologies in media production. Chen is a multimedia storyteller and public speaker with experience in communications, coordination, and brand management. Chen says she has always been passionate about exploring the intersection between the arts and science, launching a contact-tracing start-up during the pandemic.

“As a creative, I’ve explored ways to increase efficiency and break traditional boundaries in the media industry and beyond,” shares Chen. “During the pandemic, I started a contact management tech venture that allowed users to tag and trace their contacts instantly. For creative freelancers, the App was also a platform for them to connect with each other and land gigs based on skill sets. The university provided an abundance of resources, such as zone learning, which I took part in.”

Chen says the award will serve to further encourage her continued exploration of the boundaries of current and emerging technologies. She is inspired by the work of Media One Creative and the power of The Creative School’s alumni network. 

Peck congratulates the winner and sees a bright future ahead for enterprising students and grads who will be able to define new immersive experiences in a future that will be completely redefined by emerging technologies like 5G. Rider has a fascination with the metaverse and the potential that exists for new ways of storytelling on platforms yet to be invented.

The creation of two new awards for students of The Creative School will not only provide additional support for thoughtful and innovative academic pursuits but will also connect students with industry professionals to help launch future careers.

The Creative School at Ryerson University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.