Anthony E. Zuiker to Receive 2013 Pioneer Prize at Int'l Digital Emmy Awards

Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise, is set to receive the 2013 Pioneer Prize at the International Digital Emmy Awards for his groundbreaking online thriller Cybergeddon. Zuiker will be honored during the live ceremony on Monday, April 8th at MIPTV.

The American writer and producer best known for creating the globally successful CSI franchise is also a pioneer in bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and Hollywood. He created and executive produced Cybergeddon, which broke the online distribution mold by launching globally first on Yahoo! in September of 2012 in 25 different countries and 10 different languages, as a series of three installments. CybergedDon Starred Olivier Martinez (Unfaithful) and Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue) and brought to life the growing threat of cybercrime through an immersive storytelling, social media and gaming experience. Norton by Symantec was tapped to lend credibility and security insights and the project was backed by Dolphin Digital Media in a deal brokered and packaged by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

"Anthony E. Zuiker is one of today's most groundbreaking cross-platform storytellers, and we look forward to honoring his creative genius and innovative contributions to the field of digital entertainment with our Pioneer Prize," said International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences President & CEO, Bruce Paisner.

"It is an absolute honor to be recognized by the International Academy for Cybergeddon," said Zuiker. "This was a project that really changed the game for online content in terms of ownership, global distribution and brand integration, so I appreciate the Academy for supporting digital and the great work that is moving this industry forward."

In addition to the Pioneer Prize, the International Academy will present 3 International Digital Emmy Awards for Digital Program: Children & Young People; Digital Program: Fiction and Digital Program: Non-Fiction.

As in previous years, the International Digital Emmy Awards will bring together over 200 international executives across the entertainment, mobile and Internet industries at an exclusive ceremony on the opening night of MIPTV 2013.

Zuiker will also be part of MIPTV's conference program with a Media Mastermind keynote on the future of storytelling.