Chris Kurtz’s contribution to the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP) has been invaluable. The donation of his time and expertise in digital media and strategic social media engagement has not only elevated the program’s visibility, but has also played a crucial role in connecting Veterans with essential support services.
Under Chris’ leadership, the Mediatwist Group has been instrumental in ensuring the MVWP team is equipped with the necessary training and skills to effectively utilize social media platforms. Chris has spent countless hours coaching the team on the intricacies of social media tools and digital data best practices, advancing the digital outreach capabilities of MVWP, and setting a new standard for social media engagement within government programs.
Chris’ facilitation of the conversation and negotiations to secure rights to the song “Wrong Side of Heaven” for use by the MVWP showcases his commitment to leveraging all available resources for the benefit of the program. This strategic move, made possible through the collaboration with Sony Music and on behalf of Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch, has granted the MVWP a powerful asset to connect with Veterans and the public on an emotional level, further enhancing the program’s outreach efforts. The video currently has over 400 million views and perfectly portrays the challenges military Veterans face.
Chris’ vision for the MVWP extends beyond immediate outreach efforts; as he aspires to integrate new media AI and marketing tools into the program, fostering its evolution into an internal agency capable of influencing government programs nationwide with innovative social media and digital media tactics. The introduction of the strategic organic content module is poised to revolutionize how Canadian organizations engage audiences on social media.
The initiatives introduced by Chris have significantly enhanced the program’s ability to engage with a broader audience, ensuring that the MVWP’s message of support and available resources are widely disseminated, while amplifying awareness of the issues commonly faced by Canadian Veterans, such as homelessness and mental health struggles.