COOKIE JAR GROUP CEO MICHAEL HIRSH NAMED ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR IN MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT FOR ONTARIO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TORONTO (October 19, 2007) - Michael Hirsh, CEO and co-founder of the Cookie Jar Group, has won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Media & Entertainment for the Ontario region. Recognized throughout the children's entertainment industry as a leading business and brand-builder, Hirsh's numerous achievements have helped shape today's era of animation production and distribution.
"I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award and I appreciate the recognition for my work in children's entertainment," said Hirsh. "I love working in this industry and I look forward to creating and producing more shows that I hope will play significant roles in the lives of children in Canada and around the world. I would like to acknowledge Cookie Jar co-founder Toper Taylor, CFO Scott McCaw and the great team of talented producers, directors, educators and executives who contribute to making this a great company."
"Under his guidance, Hirsh has turned Cookie Jar into one of the world's preeminent education and entertainment companies. He is the co-creator and executive producer of Cookie Jar's hit series for preschoolers, "The Doodlebops".
Throughout his career, he has produced more than 70 shows and has been honored with numerous awards for his work, including two Daytime Emmys and seven Geminis.
Hirsh's distinguished career in children's entertainment began in 1971, when co-founded Nelvana Limited. He played a pivotal role in transforming Nelvana into a world-class animation company, helping develop and produce many of televisions most celebrated programs including "Babar" and "Franklin". Hirsh also co-founded Teletoon, Canada's leading animation network, and co-authored "The Great Canadian Comics."
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards honor entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as risk taking, company development, innovation and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Submissions are reviewed by an independent judging panel comprising several notable Canadian business leaders and past award recipients.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was founded by Ernst & Young to celebrate great entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as company development, financial performance and risk taking.
About Cookie Jar Group
Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children, their caregivers, parents and teachers. Cookie Jar Group's products reflect its commitment to providing the best in children's published content, animated and live action programming and innovative educational and entertainment-driven products worldwide. The group of companies consists of Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. and Cookie Jar Education Inc.
Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., Cookie Jar Group's entertainment operation, is a leading, global, independent producer, marketing and brand manager of such renowned children's properties as "The Doodlebops", "Caillou", "Johnny Test" and "Hurray for Huckle". Combining globally renowned intellectual properties with an industry-recognized management team, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. is a market-driven, brand building company that is committed to children first and foremost and is dedicated to the development and production of quality programming that embraces the whole child, with animated and live-action series that entertain, inspire and enlighten children and family audiences worldwide.
Cookie Jar Education, the educational arm of The Cookie Jar Group, includes Carson-Dellosa Publishing, HighReach Learning® and Rainbow Bridge Publishing™. One of the largest providers of supplemental education materials in the U.S., Carson-Dellosa reaches nearly two million teachers with a wide array of books, classroom decoratives, puzzles and games, toys, science kits, flash cards, manipulatives and more. HighReach Learning® reaches daycare providers and Head Start centers with curriculum as a direct supplier of early childhood materials for children three months to seven years of age. Rainbow Bridge provides quality summer workbooks to parents through the trade education and mass markets. Cookie Jar Education, Inc. is a global children's educational company.
