Hey Everybody,

BlinkWorks is a Manitoba based company.  For the past five years, we have been a member of New Media Manitoba - an industry association that provides fantastic training and networking events. 

New Media Manitoba (NMM), is a grass roots industry started out of pure passion and has grown into something that is making the industry stronger, smarter & more connected.  Aside from putting real knowledge in real heads, and introducing real people to other real people (resulting in real projects), one of NMMs greatest achievement is creating the sense of community within an incredibly diverse industry.  Before this organization, I knew a handful of video and film people - and now, eveyone I work with is a direct result of a NMM event or intro of some sort.

Reason to Write:

These guys are making a difference.  And they do it being by being exceptionally effective and efficient with the funding that they currently receive.  The thought of them operating with larger, more secure funding makes me extremely excited.

So when NMM president, Kevin Hnatiuk, put out an appeal for letters of support in order to achieve just that, Lisanne and I were more than happy to oblige.  New Media Manitoba is currently seeking multi-year funding from Western Economic Diversification and demonstration of support really can make a difference in these situations.

Here's Our Letter, Where's Yours?

We wanted to share our letter of support with you.  As we sincerely believe in the organization.  If you are a member of,  or have benefited from NMM in some way, I strongly encourage you to write a letter yourself and email it to kevn[at]newmediamanitoba[dot]com.

Sadly, here’s the rub - the letter needs to be in by Friday, Sept 3.  I know, I know, short notice if you’re hearing about it now.  But its a worthy cause and can help make a difference.

So consider writing one and get it over to the good folks at New Media Manitoba pronto!

Here's our letter...

To whom it may concern,


My name is James Swirsky and I am the owner of BlinkWorks Media - a digital film production company based in Winnipeg.  My company and I have been members of New Media Manitoba for the past five years and I am writing this letter in support of the effective and impressive work done by this much-needed organization.

Since joining New Media Manitoba, my company has grown substantially by all relevant measures (revenue, profile, project size & scope, etc.).  Throughout this growth, some of the company’s most important connections made and projects undertaken can be directly traced, in some form, to the efforts of and services provided by New Media Manitoba. 

Education, networking and fostering a sense of community within an exceptionally multifaceted industry are areas in which New Media Manitoba excels.  Because of New Media Manitoba, my company has learned new techniques & technologies, found collaborators, and discovered an interactive digital community that we did not know existed prior to joining. 

In short: We are a better company because of this organization.

Two examples (of many) of how New Media Manitoba has helped my company:

1. BlinkWorks is currently in the production of a feature length documentary focused on the video game industry.  Though we are still mid-production, all early indications point to this project being successful and finding its audience.  Without the connections made through, and opportunities afforded by New Media Manitoba, I can honestly say that this project would not have happened, and that BlinkWorks would not be receiving the wonderful, international attention it currently is.  This project is a product of New Media Manitoba’s efforts to connect and grow the interactive digital media industry.

2. BlinkWorks recently expanded its workforce to accommodate an expanding roster of projects.  We are extremely fortunate to employ the fantastic talents of fellow Manitobans in order to satisfy demand.  Every one of my new collaborators  were met through New Media Manitoba - in fact, many were personally introduced to me by NMM president Kevin Hnatiuk himself.  If this were five years ago, I sincerely do not know how I would have met these people.

I cannot endorse the future plans of New Media Manitoba enough.  I have seen what the organization can accomplish with their current funding structure, and I can only imagine what good will come with the security, certainty and opportunity that would accompany multi-year funding from Western Economic Diversification. 

The Interactive digital media industry is an admittedly diverse one.  But through it runs a constant through-line of passion for change, technology & creativity - all fueled by an enterprising spirit. 

New Media Manitoba not only echos, but it amplifies these qualities.  They ‘get it’.  They ‘get us’.  There is no better organization to push this industry forward.

I support any and all efforts to continue, to enhance and to grow New Media Manitoba.

Sincerely,



James Swirsky
President / Co-Owner
BlinkWorks Media