Hewko U of L Young Alumnus of the Year
The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) has honoured a recent Faculty of Fine Arts New Media graduate, Bryn Hewko, with the 2018 Young Alumnus of the Year award.
Hewko is the founder of OUTPUT Media, which is a successful start-up company he began while he was still finishing his master’s studies at the U of L.
“A bright, engaging and innovative entrepreneur, Bryn Hewko has already made huge inroads into the cinema industry and worked with some long trusted and recognizable brands,” says Matthew McHugh, chair of the ULAA Recognition Committee. “Further, he has had a great influence on many new media students and recent grads by giving them access to his company though internship and employment opportunities. We’re really excited to see what the future holds for Bryn and OUTPUT Media given the success he’s already achieved.”
Hewko did not wait to finish his graduate studies of the U of L before launching into the business world. Rather, he completed his degree while founding a successful start-up company. Hewko has a diverse set of skills and a relentless work ethic, and has quickly made a name for himself in the cinematic industry, all while giving back to his community and creating more opportunity for the next generation of U of L graduates, according to a U of L release.
Hewko has broken new ground in crafting his Master of Fine Arts thesis, exploring both in theory and practice novel ways to use virtual reality technology in a cinematic context. The work inspired new ways of looking at the cinematic world and spawned his highly successful business venture.
His studio uses virtual reality along with a suite of technology to help brands make compelling content, and the client list has rapidly grown, having worked on projects for recognized companies such as Heineken, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and Campbell.
OUTPUT Media has not only been leaving an impression in cinema, but is also serving as a valuable training ground for students studying new media at the U of L. Hewko is dedicated to creating a sustainable local cultural sector that will attract and retain skilled artists and designers. The annual internship opportunities provide students with valuable hands-on industry experience.
Hewko regularly shares his industry experiences with students, giving presentations at events, and regularly guest lectures in new media classes along with making himself readily available to aspiring entrepreneurs. Hewko will be honoured at the 2018 Fall Convocation on Oct. 12.