BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Videos featuring the Vikings garnered 11 nominations and four awards from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The awards were announced Saturday at the 2017 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy® Gala.
The "This is the North" video that is played at U.S. Bank Stadium before Minnesota's players take the field won for "Director – Non-Live (Post Produced)/Short Form" and "Graphic Arts – Animation."
The video was created by the Vikings and Elite Edge Productions. Directors Ryan Semanko and Ryan Noreen were recognized for their roles in directing the signature video and visual effects.
It was created for the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016 as a unique rev-up item for fans to enjoy before kickoffs, and that moment before games is the only time the video is shown.
"We have a great responsibility to provide the best content possible for our fans," said Vikings Vice President of Content and Production Bryan Harper. "Coming into U.S. Bank Stadium, we had the unique opportunity to set the tone moving forward, so we invested in a new team open, which has been recognized by multiple outlets."
"This is the North" also **won “Best Show Open”** out of 99 entrants at the Golden Matrix Awards this summer.
Everson Griffen and Harrison Smith were each recognized with their second straight Pro Bowl selections in 2016. Videos that were produced by the Vikings and Triglass Productions to promote both players also received awards.
"Mad Dog Featuring Everson Griffen" and "The Hitman Featuring Harrison Smith" were each recognized as winners in the "Promotion: Program – Single Spot" category.
People who were involved in the production of "Mad Dog" were: Ryan Thielen (Producer/Director/Editor), Harper (Executive Producer), Josh Becker (Cinematographer), Spencer Olson (Visual Effects), David Vanderwarn (Producer) and Annie Gruba (Art Director).
People who were involved in the production of "The Hitman" were: Thielen (Producer/Director/Editor), Harper (Executive Producer), Skip Krueger (Producer), Becker (Cinematographer), Olson (Visual Effects), Jonn Robinet (Drone Operator) and Vanderwarn (Producer).
Harper said the Vikings Entertainment Network appreciated the participation by Minnesota's players and football operations for the production of the videos.
"In order to provide the most exclusive programming for our fans, it needs a lot of buy-in from the football side and from the players," Harper said. "To be able to put together pieces like we did to promote Everson Griffen and Harrison Smith for the Pro Bowl required their buy-in. That allowed us to do a great job from a production standpoint."
