Mobile marketing leader Run The Red is celebrating a major win with KHF Media after the interactive online drama Reservoir Hill won New Zealand’s first International Emmy, in Cannes, France.

Reservoir Hill competed internationally in the Children and Young People’s category. It was New Zealand’s first Emmy nomination.

KHF Media created the web-based show in association with TVNZ and New Zealand on Air. Reservoir Hill screened online in New Zealand on TVNZ On Demand from October to December last year and is now screening on TV2 on Sundays at 12pm.

Run The Red developed the mobile functionality that was pivotal to the show’s interactive success by allowing viewers to interact and actively participate in steering the storyline by texting Beth, the show’s main character.

Over 5,000 viewers engaged with the show by text or using an online mobile phone simulator.

Reservoir Hill was praised for its interactive storytelling by the International Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences President Bruce Paisner, who said, “This year’s winners have masterfully demonstrated how to enhance the viewers’ multi-platform experience.”

“The mixture of drama and SMS technology is highly innovative and Run The Red were a great partner in developing this quite unique application. It was crafted in a way that integrated our story and video postproduction process with Run The Red’s technology”, said KHF Media Director David Stubbs.

Ben Northrop, Run The Red CEO, says the team are thrilled to have helped create the Award-winning show. “We knew when we helped develop Reservoir Hill that it would be a big success, and the International Digital Emmy reflects the huge response from New Zealand fans. Congratulations to the KHF team and everyone involved in making a fantastic product and winning a Kiwi first!” said Northrop.