Chris Kurtz, Founder of The Mediatwist Group, Honored with Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation
Chris Kurtz, founder and creative force behind The Mediatwist Group, has been recognized with one of Canada’s highest civilian honors — the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation — for his groundbreaking work in bridging technology, communication, and service between the United States and Canada.
Government of Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Honors Chris Kurtz With Rare International Commendation for Service to Canadian Veterans
The award, personally bestowed by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, acknowledges Kurtz’s contributions in advancing veteran wellness and community engagement — not through traditional policy or politics, but through innovation in digital communication and advertising targeting technology.
Framed and signed commendation along with decorated medal from The Minister’s Office.
Years Ahead of the Curve
Years before government agencies began adopting advanced digital targeting and behavioral data strategies, Chris Kurtz was already helping Canada’s public institutions understand how to reach people where they truly were — online, on their phones, and across the emerging social platforms that shape public opinion today.
Through The Mediatwist Group, Kurtz shared the very same advertising and analytics frameworks used by Fortune 500 brands, adapting them for public safety, veteran outreach, and community policing. His mentorship and technical guidance gave Canadian agencies — including the Toronto Police Service and the Military Veterans Wellness Program — tools that empowered them to communicate more effectively, transparently, and humanely.
“What we were doing wasn’t just marketing — it was connecting people,” said Kurtz. “Veterans deserve to be seen and understood. The same tools that sell products can also save lives when used with the right intent.”
Aimee and Chris Kurtz were honored for their work to help veterans globally.
Empowering Indigenous Voices Through Technology
Kurtz’s impact has also extended to Canada’s Indigenous communities. Working with members of the Mohawk Nation, he helped introduce modern storytelling and digital preservation tools that protect endangered languages and cultural traditions through advanced recording and 360° volume capture technology.
Medal of honor that accompanied the commendation from the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Canada.
These collaborations led to the creation of The Virtual Talking Machine Company (VTMC) — a Mediatwist initiative dedicated to preserving human history, culture, and oral storytelling using cutting-edge immersive technology.
“Our goal has always been to preserve the voices that built this continent,” Kurtz explained. “From the warriors who built the skyline to the elders who carried their culture through generations — their stories deserve permanence.”
Innovation With Purpose
In a moment of rare international recognition, Chris Kurtz, founder of The Mediatwist Group and co-creator of the Military Veterans Wellness Program, has been awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation by the Government of Canada for his outstanding contributions to veterans’ well-being and remembrance initiatives.
The Mediatwist Group, headquartered on the world-renowned Rock Lititz campus in Pennsylvania, has long been known for pushing boundaries in digital advertising, experiential marketing, and data intelligence. But Kurtz’s recognition from the Canadian government underscores something deeper — that marketing, at its best, can serve humanity.
By blending creative media, data science, and community impact, Kurtz has shown that innovation isn’t just about reaching audiences — it’s about uplifting people.
A Cross-Border Legacy
From private sector brands like Mercedes-Benz and Smoothie King to public initiatives supporting veterans and Indigenous heritage, Chris Kurtz’s influence crosses industries, borders, and generations. His work continues to redefine how governments, organizations, and communities connect in the digital age.
For Kurtz and The Mediatwist Group, the recognition is not a finish line — but a reminder that advertising, when guided by purpose, becomes communication that truly matters.
This prestigious national decoration—presented by the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence—is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of Canadian veterans and preserving the legacy of those who served. The Government of Canada recognized Kurtz with the commendation in acknowledgment of his international leadership in veteran wellness, cross-border collaboration, and humanitarian innovation.
A Meaningful Recognition
The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation stands as a symbol of gratitude from the Government of Canada to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to Canadian veterans.
“It is an honour to recognize Chris Kurtz with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. His tireless work and dedication to Canadian Veterans and their families is admirable, and he is well deserving of this award,” said The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. “I want to sincerely thank and congratulate Mr. Kurtz on this accomplishment.”
Its recipients are carefully selected, representing a tradition of compassion, remembrance, and service that defines the best of civic contribution.
“This commendation is deeply humbling,” said Chris Kurtz. “It represents unity between two nations that share an unbreakable respect for those who serve. Every veteran, officer, and family we’ve reached through our wellness initiatives is part of this moment. It’s proof that collaboration and empathy can transcend borders.”
The Insignia and Its Legacy
Accompanying the commendation is a red-and-gold enamel lapel pin and bar adorned with the Canadian maple leaf and remembrance poppy. The insignia are official national decorations that recipients are authorized to wear on occasions appropriate for wearing medals.
Each recipient’s name and citation are permanently inscribed in the National Registry of Commendation Recipients, maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada, ensuring that their contributions are remembered as part of the nation’s living history.
The rarity of this recognition for a non-Canadian recipient underscores the global importance of Kurtz’s work, which has bridged the gap between American and Canadian veteran support systems while fostering wellness programs now being studied and adopted by organizations such as Interpol and the Toronto Police Service.
Transformative Work for Veterans and First Responders
Kurtz’s contributions through the Military Veterans Wellness Program and The Mediatwist Group have helped reshape how veteran and first responder communities receive mental health, reintegration, and peer-support services.
The program emphasizes holistic care, trauma-informed practices, and digital connectivity between agencies—helping veterans and officers reintegrate successfully into civilian and professional life. These initiatives have expanded internationally, promoting cooperation between law enforcement, veteran networks, and public agencies.
“Chris’s work has quietly built a bridge between worlds that rarely intersect—military, mental health, and community leadership,” said a representative from the veteran advocacy community. “It’s not just about recognition; it’s about building a new model for how nations care for their heroes.”
A Symbol of Shared Service and Humanity
For the United States and Canada—two nations whose soldiers have fought side by side for more than a century—this commendation represents a renewal of shared values: courage, remembrance, and collective duty.
Kurtz’s recognition as one of a limited number of international honorees serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that compassion knows no borders.
“This award isn’t mine alone,” added Kurtz. “It belongs to every veteran and advocate who believes in connection over division, and service over silence. This medal represents that commitment.”