Potomac, Md. – May 27, 2008 – WILL Interactive has been awarded three Communicator Awards of Distinction by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. WILL Interactive’s programs The Barda Bridge and A Day in the Bam both won under the category of Best Interactive Media Training, while The Barda Bridge also won for Best Online Video Training. The Communicator Awards of Distinction are presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement.
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. Founded over a decade ago, The Communicator Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world.
WILL Interactive uses a patented form of digital game-based learning technology called Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulations (VEILS®). This proprietary system of learning combines education and entertainment through a unique and captivating blend of technology, art, science, psychology, learning theory and game theory. WILL Interactive’s programs are often called a cross between a feature film and a video game because they allow users to play as the lead characters in live action, full-screen, full-motion, research-based movies that reflect real-life decisions and consequences in the safety of cyberspace.
“We are honored to have two of our programs recognized by the International Academy of the Visual Arts with Awards of Distinction,” WILL Interactive CEO and Co-Founder Sharon Sloane said. “We are very gratified to be recognized for this work and look forward to developing more programs to help men and women in the field.”
Working with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), WILL Interactive developed The Barda Bridge to introduce Department of Defense Contingency Contracting Officers (CCO) to the unique challenges of conducting contracting operations in a true contingency environment. The Barda Bridge is a part of the Defense Acquisition University’s recent push to institute cutting edge training and simulation; initiatives which lead to increased productivity, career management, and deliver results in a timely and affordable manner.
“These awards underscore the hard work that DAU, WILL Interactive, and the Contingency Contracting Officers have done in creating this invaluable simulation,” said Joel Brown. “The awards’ true recipients are the Contingency Contracting Officers who put themselves in harm’s way so that many others could reap the benefits of their knowledge, experience, and dedication.”
A Day in the Bam was developed for the US Army Armor Center’s Maneuver Advanced NCO Course. The simulation follows standard Interactive Multimedia Instruction lessons and helps to assess students’ abilities to apply courseware content in real-world situations.
“This highly immersive training program is playing a critical role in helping trainers mold truly multi-skilled Armor and Infantry Noncommissioned Officers,” said Wanda Majors, Chief, Training Programs Branch, Training Development Division, Directorate of Training, Doctrine and Combat Development at the U.S. Army Armor Center and Schools. “Due to consistently positive feedback from course instructors and active duty students during validation, ‘A Day in the Bam’ is a part of the active duty curriculum as individual self-paced instruction and as a classroom tool to spark and support discussion.”
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About The Communicator Awards
The Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), a 200+ member organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current IAVA membership represents a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including: Condè Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, Fry Hammond Barr, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Victoria’s Secret, Wired, Yahoo!, and many others. See www.iavisarts.org for more information.
