Diane Johnson, CEO of Vancouver-based Descriptive Video Works and a broadcast industry veteran of more than 20 years, has been named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific region award.
With some 20 years in the broadcasting industry, holding key positions in radio, network television and as head of marketing for Walt Disney Western Canada, Johnson saw the opportunity to provide a service for the visually impaired and launched Descriptive Video Works in 2003.
The descriptive video (DV) service helps the close to 1.5 million Canadians who are visually impaired enjoy television programs. Descriptive Video Works has advanced digital recording facilities and a roster of script writing and narrative performers.
Johnson also founded the Canadian Described Video Broadcast Committee; she is a member and former chair of the BC Chapter of Canadian Women in Communications (CWC).
The company is now expanding into the US and establishing strategic alliances with broadcasters and members of the blind and vision-impaired community there.
Descriptive Video Works partnered with CTV's So You Think You Can Dance Canada in producing the first live reality television show in North America to have descriptive video added on behalf of the blind and visually impaired, as first reported in Broadcaster Magazine.
(Please see 'As First Live Reality TV Show with Described Video Airs, Greater Accessibility Sought from Broadcasters, Distributors')
Johnson is the only finalist in the special citation-social entrepreneur category, a unique recognition acknowledging an entrepreneur's achievements in driving social change and improving people's quality of life. The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards recognize the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific winners will be announced at a banquet on October 5, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national banquet held in Toronto on November 23. For a full list of finalists, visit http://www.ey.com/CA/en/About-us/Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year.