MPB Wins Parents’ Choice® Approved Award for EdSaid.org

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) newest children’s program, “Ed Said,” was recognized with a Parents’ Choice® Approved Award for its website, www.EdSaid.org, MPB announced today.

The web-based series promotes the virtues of healthy eating and the power of exercise to elementary school children. Featuring Ed, a rapping and rhyming puppet, a cast of Mississippi children, and former New Orleans Saints player Deuce McAllister, the series encourages children to eat their fruits and vegetables and to be active.

“Mississippi Public Broadcasting is thrilled that EdSaid.org was approved by the Parents’ Choice Awards program,” says MPB Acting Executive Director Jay Woods. “We are committed to combating the obesity problem in Mississippi and believe that health education should begin at an early age. We hope that children in Mississippi will watch ‘Ed Said’ and become inspired to eat healthy foods and get up and exercise.”

CJ Burks, “Ed Said” producer and creator, said, “It’s such an honor to have the website recognized. Howl Design helped me to bring Ed’s world to life. We chose to make ‘Ed Said’ a web-based program because of is accessibility for children and teachers. I think it is wonderful that our local production is available to anyone with an internet connection. Ed’s healthy messages can reach children everywhere.”

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice® is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys. The Parents’ Choice® Foundation’s panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents, and kids identify the optimum products for children of varied ages, backgrounds, interest and skill levels. Fewer than 15% of products submitted to the Parents’ Choice® Awards program receive any level of recommendation.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) provides relevant instructional and public affairs programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages by providing informative programming and educational resources. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that reflect Mississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Children’s television programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. MPB provides a valuable resource to Mississippians in disseminating information as part of the state’s emergency preparedness and response system. Since 1970, MPB has won over 400 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards.