HEADS OF MEDIA AND DESIGN ONTARIO

Are you planning a conference? Are you looking for an expert opinion for a news story? Are you looking for expert information on the Ontario media and design sector? Review our virtual panel below, consisting of academic-industry leaders, and contact us at pkoidis@centennialcollege.ca for further information.

Paul Koidis is a writer, new media consultant, marketing and communications strategist and educator.

As a diversified communications professional, Paul began his career as a writer and journalist and discovered the world of interactive media at the Canadian Film Centre. He held various positions at the Film Centre, including marketing and communications manager, recruitment strategist, new media program manager and producer for an international lecture series, The Interactive Arena, focused on new directions in design, culture and technology. Paul worked directly with the CFC Media Lab, a division of the Centre and a unique training and production think-tank environment for tomorrow’s new media content developers.A graduate of Queens University and Centennial College, Paul is passionate about media literacy, leadership in the culture and education sector and emerging forms of narrative. He is Officer of Communications, Marketing and Development for the School of Communications, Media and Design at Centennial College and a faculty member teaching in various post-graduate Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Online Writing and New Media Design programs

Nate Horowitz , Dean of the Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College

Nate was the founding director of Liberty Village New Media Centre, funded by the City of Toronto, the Province and the private sector was established to enable the development of small and medium size companies in all aspects of interactive digital media. Nate is currently Dean of The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College. The Centre is focused locally and internationally in interactive storytelling through innovative design, writing and production. It recently was chosen as one of the best new media schools in Canada.  Educated in visual communication, design, photography, film and animation, he has taught photography, design and photojournalism at several institutions and has developed digital animation, gaming and new media and online writing and information design programs.

Mark Jones, Associate Chair, School of Communications Arts, Seneca College

Mark Jones is the recipient of the 2002 Community IT Hero of the Year Award by ITAC and the Canadian New Media Award for Industry Advocate of the Year 2002. He has sat on boards and committees for SIGGRAPH, the IDMA, Absolut Digital Art and currently chairs’ The InterAccess Electronic Media Art Centre. Mr. Jones has lectured at numerous conferences and universities including The International Symposium of Electronic Art, SIGGRAPH, University of Salford, York University and The Canadian Film Centre. He worked as Project Manager of The Institute, an interactive art installation by Vera Frenkel, and as Director of CyberStage Communications and Program Direct of OnTarget.

Mark Derro is currently the Chair of the School of Media and Design for Conestoga College – Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, working with a team of highly creative and innovative faculty.  The School of Media and Design is aggressively pursuing new program offerings that align to emerging technologies and is excited about the latest degree submission for a four year Design and Entrepreneurship credential.  Over the next two years the School of Media and Design student numbers are projected to double, and then double again in four years, at which time the offerings will exceed 35 Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Ontario College Graduate Certificates and Degree credentials.

During his diverse career, Mark worked with the Mining industries and was responsible for the design and utilisation of state-of-the-art training facilities that included computer based training and distance education components.  In 1994 he took a position overseas, working with a small team of educators to design and commission the Communication Technology programs at the Higher Colleges of Technology – United Arab Emirates. While at the HCT he actively promoted the integration of technology into the educational process (teaching and learning) and possesses theoretical and practical skills that provide a balanced approach for the effective integration of these technologies.  These methodologies were the basis of the paper presentations given in the international community of educators; resulting in the development and retention of a network of industry (educational) leaders from both traditional and creative/innovation new media disciplines.