Trend Micro Announces 'What's Your Story?' 2010 Video Contest Winners

User-generated video contest spotlights Internet safety, education, and awareness during Internet Safety Month in the U.S.

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Trend Micro

Jun 03, 2010, 03:56 ET

CUPERTINO, Calif., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The video "Overexposed" by Nicholas Chen and Edan Freiberger took the grand prize this year in the Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids and Families "What's Your Story" 2010 Video Contest. "Overexposed" humorously and realistically demonstrates the importance of keeping a good reputation online and the consequences of not doing so.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/trendmicro/44314/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100602/MM12952 )

On March 16, Trend Micro along with Internet safety advocacy groups Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, and the Identity Theft Resource Center launched the "What's Your Story?" video contest. The contest called for anyone over the age of 13 to submit a video, no longer than two minutes in length, on Internet safety that could help educate others in one of four categories: keeping a good rep online; staying away from unwanted contact (cyberbullying, sexual predators); sticking to legal, age-appropriate content; and keeping the cybercriminals out.

Over the course of six weeks, 120 videos were submitted with over 40 percent coming from people under the age of 18. "Keeping a good rep online" and "staying away from unwanted contact" were the two categories with the most submissions, not surprisingly since cyberbullying and online reputation are very relevant to today's youth.

"We were thrilled with the amount of participation in this contest among contestants young and old," said Lynette Owens, director of corporate outreach for Trend Micro. "They connected with the topics and in the spirit of competition, became the educators by getting the word out about their own videos. It was difficult to decide among so many great entries, but we plan to use many of them in teaching curricula, and in various other ways to promote Internet safety."

Contestants were required to select one of four Internet safety topics and were encouraged to promote their own videos. Finalists were selected based on a combination of views and ratings, and winners were selected by a panel of judges from the four sponsoring organizations. One grand prize winner and four category runners-up were chosen based on creativity, appropriateness and effectiveness. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 and the four runners-up receive $500 each.

To view the winners of the 2010 "What's Your Story?" video contest visit: http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com

Grand Prize – "Overexposed" by Nicholas Chen and Edan Freiberger
Runner up for category: Keeping a good rep online – "Flame Fart Kid" by Zeek Earl
Runner up for category: Staying clear of unwanted contact – "Pull the Plug on Bullying" by Matthew Bendo
Runner up for category: Accessing (legal) content that's age-appropriate – "Perfectly Legal and Age Appropriate" by Philip Roberts
Runner up for category: Keeping the cybercriminals out – "Special Report: Behind the Modem" by Jeff Lurie

Schools who are interested in using some of these videos are welcome to do so, and should write to [email protected] indicating their interest.

The campaign, which is sponsored and supported by the Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids & Families initiative and its partners, was designed to help parents, teachers and youth become more aware of Internet safety issues. Trend Micro helps to educate kids, parents and teachers through employee volunteerism, partnerships, and initiatives that promote the Internet safety of kids around the world.

For tips on staying safe online, visit:

www.trendmicro.com/go/safety

About Trend Micro:

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security, focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the newest Web threats. Visit TrendWatch at www.trendmicro.com/go/trendwatch to learn more about the latest threats. Trend Micro's flexible solutions, available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence experts around the globe. Many of these solutions are powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ infrastructure, a next-generation cloud-client innovation that combines sophisticated cloud-based reputation technology, feedback loops, and the expertise of TrendLabs(SM) researchers to deliver real-time protection from emerging threats. A transnational company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Trend Micro's trusted security solutions are sold through its business partners worldwide. Please visit www.trendmicro.com.

SOURCE Trend Micro