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WTTW’s NAVY PIER: A CENTURY OF REINVENTION wins Midwest Emmy® Award

For immediate release
Chicago, IL - December 5, 2017

WTTW, one of the Midwest’s premier public media organizations, announced that its original documentary NAVY PIER: A CENTURY OF REINVENTION, produced by Eddie Griffin and hosted by Geoffrey Baer, has been honored with an Emmy® award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The film won in the category of Outstanding Achievement for Arts/Entertainment Program, Program/Special/Series. The awards were handed out on December 2 in a ceremony at Chicago’s Swissotel.

The 60-minute special and website for NAVY PIER: A CENTURY OF REINVENTION were created as the Pier celebrated its 100th birthday in 2016. The film traced a day in the life of the Pier, with host Geoffrey Baer sampling everything it has to offer, including its new state-of-the-art Ferris Wheel, interactive fountain, IMAX theater, diverse food offerings, and twice-weekly fireworks displays, while tracing its dramatic and colorful history. Associate Producer for the special is Erica Gunderson; Executive Producer is Dan Soles, chief television officer for the station.

“We are thrilled that the Academy chose to recognize this program, which is emblematic of a key part of WTTW’s mission – to shine a spotlight on stories that are of vital interest to our local audience,” said President and CEO Dan Schmidt. “Our entire crew had a wonderful summer on the Pier capturing footage for this show,” adds Baer, “and this award is a great tribute to an initiative that was labor of love for all of us.”

The companion website, at wttw.com/navypier features an interactive video tour of the Pier, a timeline of historical milestones, trivia and a quiz about the Pier, digital-exclusive video stories, and a place for site visitors to watch the film, share memories about experiences on the Pier, and submit ideas for future of the Pier.

NAVY PIER: A CENTURY OF REINVENTION is produced by Eddie Griffin, hosted by Geoffrey Baer, and written by Geoffrey Baer and Eddie Griffin. Associate Producer: Erica Gunderson. Director of Photography: Tim Boyd. Lighting Director: Danny Rozkuszka. Editor: Paul Thornton. Art Director: Linda Fox. The website is produced by WTTW’s digital team, including Designer Jenny Macchione; Developers Chris Ege, Kevin Crowley, and Justin Henderson; Content Producer Margie Newman; and Digital Executive Producer Anne Gleason.

Major funding for NAVY PIER: A CENTURY OF REINVENTION is provided by: BMO Harris Bank and Nicor Gas. Additional support is provided by: Pritzker Military Museum & Library, ITW, James McHugh Construction Co., SP+ Parking, Odyssey Cruises and Shoreline Sightseeing, and Riva Crab House. Funding is also provided by: Bruce Bachmann; Virginia and Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation; Joan and Bill Brodsky; Denny and Sandy Cummings; Peter Kelliher II; Martha and Richard Melman; Ken Norgan; and Joan and Paul Rubschlager.

About WTTW
WTTW is a premier public media organization committed to creating and presenting unique television and digital media content across four distinct television channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW WORLD, and WTTW PBS Kids – and on wttw.com. Recognized for award-winning local and national productions such as Chicago Tonight, Check, Please!, and MEXICO – One Plate at a Time, WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s programming. Visitors to wttw.com can access a full library of local and national video content for kids and adults, immersive web-exclusive stories and features, event and membership opportunities, and more. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.