The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) is thrilled to honour recent Faculty of Fine Arts New Media graduate Bryn Hewko (MFA ’16) with the 2018 Young Alumnus of the Year award.
Hewko is the founder of OUTPUT Media, a successful start-up company he began while 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 through internship and employment opportunities. We’re really excited to see what the future holds for Bryn and OUTPUT Media given the successes he’s already achieved.”
Young Alumnus of the Year – Bryn Hewko
Bryn Hewko (MFA ’16) didn’t wait to finish his graduate studies at the University of Lethbridge before launching into the business world, rather he completed his degree while founding a successful start-up company. With a diverse skill set and a relentless work ethic, he has quickly made a name for himself in the cinematic industry, all the while giving back to his community and creating opportunity for the next generation of U of L graduates.
Hewko broke 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 a new way of looking at cinema and spawned his highly successful business venture, OUTPUT Media. A studio that uses virtual reality along with a suite of technology to help brands make compelling content, OUTPUT’s client list has grown rapidly since launch, having worked on projects for recognized companies such as Heineken, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and Campbell’s.
OUTPUT media is not only breaking new ground in cinema, it is also serving as a valuable training ground for students currently 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. To that end, he has made it a priority for OUTPUT to make annual internship opportunities available for new media students, providing them with valuable hands-on industry experience. He also recently hired two new media alumni who went through the internship program, keeping talented young individuals in the city.
Hewko regularly shares his industry experience with students, giving presentations at events such as the Faculty of Fine Arts Crossing Boundaries Art & Technology Symposium, the Digital Vertigo New Media Symposium and the RCB Small Business Summit. He also regularly guest lectures in new media classes and makes himself readily available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Hewko will be honoured at 2018 Fall Convocation on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.