Alberta cable baron JR Shaw, the founder of Shaw Communications, was recognized with a special lifetime achievement award at the largest-ever Alberta New Media Awards presentation held in Calgary last week.
Several other media-related companies across the province took home best-in-category awards at this year’s event (www.albertanewmedia.com), which attracted more than 220 entries and included several student and post-secondary categories.
Ernie Chang, founder of Axia NetMedia, was given the Industry Innovator award, while Edmonton-based computer game company Bioware Inc. was recognized for Business Success.
Ad Rodeo, the first competition designed to showcase Alberta works on the national stage, received an award for public service.
Shaw founded Calgary-based Shaw Communications Inc. in 1966, and the company has grown to provide cable television services to about 2.2 million homes in Canada, satellite service to approximately 750,000 homes, and high-speed Internet access for 750,000 homes.
Shaw is the controlling shareholder of Corus Entertainment Inc, which owns radio stations; YTV, a youth cable network; TreeHouse, a pre-schoolers network; and CMT, a country music video network.
Other professional winners included: Gate Communications of Edmonton (flat media category), AxoniQ cyberRide Inc. of Calgary (photography), Zoom Communications Inc. of Calgary (film/TV category), and Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie of Edmonton (interactive media/animation).
