Shaw Rocket Fund and Wattpad Team Up to Inspire Stories from Canada’s Next Generation of Screenwriters
TORONTO - April 3, 2020 - Wattpad, the global multiplatform entertainment company for original stories, and Shaw Rocket Fund, a leading partner for Canada’s media sector that has invested $240 million in the creation of high quality Canadian children’s, youth and family media content, today announced a new partnership to inspire stories from Canada’s next generation of screenwriters. From now until May 2, Shaw Rocket Fund will run a Canada-wide writing contest on Wattpad called the Shaw Rocket Prize Teen Writing Contest, asking teen writers (aged 13-17 years old) to start writing a new Wattpad story they’d love to see adapted into a movie. These stories can be about any topic and in any genre. The top three stories will earn each writer a laptop and the grand prize winner will receive a one-on-one mentoring session with an acclaimed screenwriter.
Wattpad is known around the world as a leading destination for diverse Gen Z creators. Each month, more than 4 million writers of all ages share stories on the platform globally, and Canadian teens aged 13 - 17 make up around 40% of Wattpad’s Canadian users. Research from Wattpad’s Canadian Gen Z Census indicates that 52% of this group are seeking better representation in today’s media landscape. Working together, Shaw Rocket Fund and Wattpad will create opportunities for teen Gen Z creators across Canada to share their unique stories. The initiative continues the long established tradition of the Shaw Rocket Prize which, for over 11 years, has celebrated the voice of young Canadians.
“Gen Z is a generation that understands the power of storytelling,” said Chris Stefanyk, Head of Brand Partnerships at Wattpad. “In Canada and around the world, Gen Z has shown how stories can change the world, giving voice and representation to every type of experience. Shaw Rocket Fund is Canada’s most important champion of teen content, so we’re thrilled to work with them on this project while exploring other opportunities to tap into Canada’s next generation of great storytellers.
“In an unprecedented time where teens across the country are isolating in their homes, we are so pleased to work with Wattpad and their exceptional platform to launch this fantastic program to engage and celebrate the creativity of Canadian teens,’” said Agnes Augustin, President & CEO of the Shaw Rocket Fund. “The Shaw Rocket Fund is about fueling creativity; Shaw Rocket Prize celebrates the unique and important voice of our youth. This exciting initiative combines the spirit of both.”
For full contest details go to https://www.wattpad.com/user/RocketFund
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About Wattpad
Wattpad’s vision is to entertain and connect the world through stories. Wattpad’s flagship app is the world’s leading social storytelling platform, home to a community of more than 80 million people who spend over 23 billion minutes a month engaged in original stories. Wattpad’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology allows the company to discover stand-out stories among the more than half a billion uploads that have been written on the platform. Wattpad Studios and Wattpad Books are transforming entertainment and publishing, using data-backed insights to turn Wattpad stories into books, films and TV shows. Wattpad Brand Partnerships help brands build deep engagement with Gen Z consumers. In 2020, Wattpad was recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. The company is proudly based in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at: company.wattpad.com
ABOUT SHAW ROCKET FUND
The Shaw Rocket Fund is a vital partner of the Canadian children’s media sector in offering children robust, world-leading content on all platforms. The Rocket Fund invests in and supports Canadian-made media that reflects Canadian values and diversity, and most of all respects and speaks to children, while positively showcasing Canadian leadership on the world stage. By working with producers, regulators, and governments, the Shaw Rocket Fund aims to make quality content for kids a global priority. Since its inception, the Shaw Rocket Fund has invested $240 million in 966 Canadian media content for children, family, and youth audiences worldwide. Contributors to the Fund are Shaw Communications and Shaw Direct. To learn more about the Shaw Rocket Fund, go to rocketfund.ca.