TORONTO – Mega Construx™ is inviting children from across Canada to come together and join them in constructing a giant monument that celebrates diversity, unity and acceptance. The large-scale monument, built out of Mega Construx™ bricks, will be an interactive experience and allow children an opportunity to work together and showcase their vision of a better world.
Mega Construx™, part of the Mattel® brand portfolio, partnered with YTV Corus Entertainment to call on children to submit their stories about how they have helped bring their community together and have made people feel welcome and accepted – in other words Build Beyond™. By submitting their stories, kids were entered to win 1 of ten trips to Ottawa to help build a Mega Construx™ monument, inspired by their stories, with a Master Builder.
“We set out to create a platform for those we call Beyonders, children who have big imaginations and help us see beyond our differences, challenge the norm and invent the unexpected,” said Alicia Sumar, Marketing, MEGA Brands, Canada. “This initiative was designed with the goal of empowering children across Canada to build, and share their vision of the future.”
10 CANADIAN BEYONDERS™
The monument, constructed out of over a million of Mega Construx™ bricks, will be revealed at the Ottawa Children’s Festival on May 10. Local Canadian architect, Jean Beaudoin, and Master Builders will be at the helm of a team of ten Beyonders™, to bring their vision of unity and acceptance to life. The design of the installation is interactive in nature, enabling those who participate to live out the brand’s motto to Build Beyond™.
The ten finalists from across Canada are:
Callie G., Edmonton, AB
Stefan V., Edmonton, AB
Brittany P., Hamilton, ON
James R., Guelph, ON
Cody S., Toronto, ON
Jesse E., Brockville, ON
Abigail V., Acton, ON
Cade M., Ottawa, ON
William H., St. Dieppe, NB
Aiden W., Buffalo Narrows, SK
“As a father and someone who builds and creates for a living, I know firsthand how important play is to igniting imagination for children,” said Jean Beaudoin, Canadian architect and designer of the Mega Construx™ monument. “The monument design is intended to inspire creativity and social involvement through a playfully interactive experience. I am honoured to be part of the Build Beyond project that’s inspired by children from across Canada who are building their vision of the future.”
“At Mega Construx we believe that a brick isn’t just a brick, but a gateway beyond,” said Sumar. “To us, each brick represents an opportunity to not only build a new toy, or in this case, a monument, but to build a better community and ultimately a better world.”
About MEGA Brands
Part of the Mattel® family, MEGA Brands empowers fans and families to build the future they imagine. MEGA Brands designs & manufacturers innovative, high-quality construction toys for builders of all ages to create, customize & collect. From the first years of play with Mega Bloks® to the discovery of new worlds with Mega Construx™, MEGA™ is the brand that dares to go beyond the rules of construction. For more information, visit http://www.megabrands.com/.
About Mattel
Mattel is a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Our mission is to be the recognized leader in play, learning and development worldwide. Mattel’s portfolio of global consumer brands includes American Girl®, Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Hot Wheels®, Monster High® and Thomas & Friends®, among many others. Mattel also creates a wealth of lines and products made in collaboration with leading entertainment and technology companies. With a global workforce of approximately 31,000 people, Mattel operates in 40 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.