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VeggieTales’ Phil Vischer to receive Briner Award

Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea Productions and creator of the popular VeggieTales series, has been selected as the 9th recipient of the Robert A. Briner Impact Award, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

he award was created in 2003 by writer/producer Mark Joseph, founder of MJM Entertainment Group and Dr. John Mark Reynolds, director of Biola University's Torrey Honors Institute, to honor artists who have embodied the ideals of the late media executive and author Robert A. Briner.

“The Emmy-award winning television producer was also a global pioneer in sports media, working alongside legendary athletes such as Arthur Ashe, Dave Dravecky, Michael Jordan and many others, but the most influential legacy Briner left behind has proved to be his book, Roaring Lambs and its sequel, Final Roar,” said Mark Joseph.

“In his books, Briner encouraged artists and media professionals of faith to integrate their beliefs into mainstream culture, always pursuing excellence and striving to �?give people the chance to choose good things instead of bad things.’”

“Phil Vischer is a man who thoroughly exemplifies Bob Briner's ideals,” noted Reynolds. “He has provided millions of children and adults with memorable characters like Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, Junior Asparagus and many others.”

“Bob was a fan of VeggieTales and would be excited about this choice,” noted Joseph who will present the award along with Reynolds at the 13th Annual Biola Media Conference this May 3rd, 2008, on location at the CBS lot in Studio City, CA.

Vischer was selected as this year's honoree by a panel consisting of Briner's friends and colleagues including Joseph, Reynolds, director Steve Taylor, columnist Terry Mattingly, record executive Barry Landis, author/artist Charlie Peacock, and Briner's widow Marty Briner.

“We're proud of Phil's accomplishments and it's an honor to be associated with him and to honor him,” noted Lisa Swain, chair of Biola University's Cinema and Media Arts department.

Past recipients of the Briner Impact Award have included Touched By An Angel creator Martha Williamson; lead singer of the Grammy award winning rock band Jars of Clay, Dan Haseltine; Former ABC News Senior producer Jody Hassett, author and rock critic Steve Turner, X-Men producer Ralph Winter, film producer Steve McEveety and Chicago Tribune Editor Lou Carlozo.

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[05/04/2008]

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