Trend Micro's Fourth Annual 'What's Your Story?' Video Contest

A chance for young aspiring filmmakers and students in Canada and the US to win more than $20K in prizes while showing the world the best of the Internet.

OTTAWA, Feb. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Trend Micro Inc. (TYO: 4704) (TSE: 4704) today announced the fourth annual "What's Your Story?" video contest in Canada and the United States.  What's Your Story, gives youth a platform to showcase not just their filmmaking talents, but how they have harnessed the power and connection of the Internet in a positive way through creative storytelling.

What's new for 2013: Less fear, more confidence in technology.

Trend Micro is asking contestants to answer one simple question through their short videos: 'What does the good side of the Internet look like?' Entries will be judged by how well they have both demonstrated the positive ways we use the Internet, dispelled the myths surrounding Internet dangers, as well as how effectively they have promoted and crowd-sourced their individual entries via social media.

"A lot of the messages we hear and give our kids about technology use is focused on fear, safety, and what not to do. As adults we live in a world filled with technology we didn't grow up with. Kids are growing up knowing nothing else. What better way to showcase the good that happens with technology then to get out of the way and let them show us," said Lynette T. Owens, Trend Micro Global Director of Internet Safety for Kids and Families.

"We are really pleased to be part of Trend Micro's video contest because of its important emphasis on how youth can use the Internet in positive ways", said Cathy Wing, MediaSmarts Co-Executive Director and one of this year's judges. "We need to encourage and nurture digital citizenship in young people and contests like this help to highlight the amazing things they are doing online."

How it works and who is involved

This year there are two $10K grand prizes - one for an individual filmmaker, and another for a JK-Grade 12 educational institution in any province outside of Quebec. Additional cash prizes will be awarded to the runners up. Winning entries may also be used for educational programs and events worldwide. The contest is sponsored and supported by Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids & Families program and participating organizations. In addition to those that have supported the contest from the beginning, Trend Micro is excited to welcome new members of the 2013 judging panel, and other supporting organizations. This year's judging panel includes: MediaSmarts (based in Ottawa), the Center for Media and Child Health, Committee for Children, Common Sense Media, ConnectSafety, Cyberbullying Research Center, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo.

Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world. According to Statistics Canada, close to 99 percent of teens living in Canada use online tools in their daily lives and 93% of households with three or more people had home Internet access.

Important dates to remember:

• Film submissions are accepted from February 19 to April 16, 2013.
• Films will be judged by quality and by the number of views and ratings.
• Winners will be announced in mid May.

- To learn more about the contest, submit a video, or see past winners, visit http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com.

- Follow updates to the contest on Twitter @TrendISKF, and stay on top of the discussion using #WYSContest.

- Check out the European version of the 'What's Your Story?' contest, which also kicked off today in Ireland.

Trend Micro's Commitment to the Internet Safety of Kids and Families

To support its vision of making the world safe for exchanging digital information, Trend Micro aspires to make a difference by using its expertise to make the world at large a better place.  Trend Micro has made a commitment to make the Internet a safer place for young people around the world through its world-wide employee volunteer program, grants and donations to eligible organizations, and partnerships with those who share its vision and mission.  For Trend Micro's free Internet safety tips, tools and advice, visit: www.trendmicro.com/go/safety

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704;TSE: 4704), a global cloud security leader, creates a world safe for exchanging digital information with its Internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers.  A pioneer in server security with over 20 years' experience, we deliver top-ranked client, server and cloud-based security that fits our customers' and partners' needs, stops new threats faster, and protects data in physical, virtualized and cloud environments. Powered by the industry-leading Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ cloud computing security infrastructure, our products and services stop threats where they emerge - from the Internet. They are supported by 1,000+ threat intelligence experts around the globe.

SOURCE: Trend Micro Canada

Media Contact: Claire M. Tallarico, 416 616 9940