Bangkok--7 Jun--Poly Plus PR
Panasonic Group in Thailand has launched "Panasonic Kid Witness News: KWN 2010" in its seventh consecutive year of support for students 12 - 17 years old to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in producing quality documentary content in competition for a scholarship award of 50,000 baht and a commemorative plate of honor, plus the chance to represent Thailand in competition in Asia-Oceania and the global stage.
Mr. Hirotaka Murakami, CEO of Panasonic Group in Thailand, said Panasonic Kid Witness News: KWN was first launched in the United States in 1988. The contest has been highly successful and expanded worldwide to cover more than 25 countries.
Thailand joined the program in 2004. The contest in Thailand is being held for the seventh consecutive year with a priority on allowing youths to explore modern technology and opening the door for them to bring out their best creative minds in developing high-quality documentary content. Contest winners will represent the country as the national team among Asia-Oceania nations at a regional competition and potentially on the world stage. In 2009, Thailand's championship team from Suratpitthaya School in Surat Thani province, the creator of “The Wonderous Rituals of Thai Boxing,” won the Best Sound award at the Asia-Oceania level held in Singapore. The team also has a chance to represented Thailand on the Global stage in Japan.
At the press conference, representatives from the 2009 championship team from Suratpitthaya School, Surat Thani province, and winning Best Anchor from Assumption College Sriracha, Chonburi province, will share their experiences since joining KWN. Superstar Ann Thongprasom will honor the event by discussing her experience in mass communication and share insights with the students.
Ms. Wilai Trichit, Senior Department Manager, Advertising, Public Relations and Corporate Identity of Panasonic Siew Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd., said, “ Panasonic Kid Witness News: KWN 2010 is a stage for youths to contest in a producing 4-5 minutes of news, documentary, or dramatic content. Junior and senior high school students at Mathayom 1-5 levels, age 12-17 years, will have an opportunity to form six-member teams (five students and one adviser) as encouragement to produce works of great diversity. This year the competition includes new topics to choose from: Environment and My Hometown. Each team is to pick one topic. Content must be inoffensive to religion and culture. Panasonic will provide equipment facilities including a Panasonic HD Camcorder, Microphone and KWN T-shirt for the students to fully express their creativity”, she said.
In the first round of the contest, judges will screen applications from around the country. On Wednesday 7 July 2010, the best teams will conduct a presentation in front of a committee. Eight teams (two teams from each region) will enter the final round.
The eight teams will join a workshop at Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi province, and at Thai TV Color Ch.3 to learn about producing a news program in theory and practice under the close attention of experts in every stage of their skill development. The teams will have hands-on experience and prepare to join the final round competition on Wednesday 8 September 2010. The winning team will receive a 50,000-baht scholarship. The team's school will be given 5,000 baht, a certificate, a commemorative plate, and a set of Panasonic products. The team will also represent Thailand at the Asia-Oceania Regional-level competition and on the Global stage. In addition, special awards will be presented for Best Anchor and Best Editing. Special to this year, a further award will be presented for Best Videography.
Anyone interested in Panasonic Kid Witness News: KWN 2010 can apply for the program through Wednesday 30 June. For more information: Panasonic Kid Witness News Project, THE CIEN Co., Ltd., 1213/391, Soi Lad Prao 94, Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310. Tel: 0-2530-9383-4, or download an application at http://panasonic.co.th.
For more information: Public Relations Department
Poly Plus PR Co., Ltd. 02-572-444 Ext. 351, 348
Khun Sukanya (Ooy), 083-492-7979; Khun Sarita (Pang), 081-486-6745.
Panasonic Siew Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd.:
Khun Chutimon (Tuum), 02-731-8888, Ext. 2918; ,Khun Noppiya (Loogsoe), 02-731-8888, Ext. 2912