WeMuv began with a kitchen conversation over coffee. Two parents discussing their concern and frustration that their once-active eight-year-old son no longer wanted to go outside to play with friends, choosing instead the companionship of the computer screen.
WeMuv was born out of that conversation in late 2008. The parents, Lisa and Jason Savelli, both having backgrounds in healthcare initiated its development. Lisa, a family therapist who often spoke in elementary schools across Canada about issues of child wellness and Jason, a healthcare professional involved in the development of continuing medical education programs were passionate about their idea.
Knowing their concerns were those of so many parents, Lisa and Jason began to research what might be done to link the need to live an active lifestyle to a kid's enjoyment of computers, gaming and virtual worlds. That need is growing:
Fewer than 7 per cent of Canadian children get the recommended 90 minutes a day of active play.
When Lisa and Jason discovered that modern pedometers (used to measure movement) could be encrypted and connected digitally with a home computer, WeMuv was born. They created a concept that brought together kids' love of play, competing and being rewarded for their accomplishments, with the fun of traveling in a virtual world of their own.
Working with PHE Canada – Physical and Health Education Canada, Canada's premier professional organization for physical and health educators – the WeMuv team developed the material in this virtual world. WeMuv is exciting and fun for kids. And kids' physical activity also leads directly to active online learning in a safe environment that is matched to school curriculums in health, nutrition, social science, geography and more.
Excited by the WeMuv concept, PHE helped WeMuv pilot its programs in 300 schools across Canada to some 23,000 elementary school age students (6 – 12). The response was tremendously positive. PHE continues to help develop curriculum material and endorses the WeMuv program for Canada's classrooms.
How does WeMuv work? As kids get active, their movement – in structured or free-from physical activity -- is measured by the WeMuv pedometer and turned into activity points. Those points earn special ‘tokens’ that allow them to enter and move about freely on a colourful, personal WeMuv site. The more physically active kids are, the more time they earn to explore this exciting, innovative world.
With their own customized avatar, kids travel the globe for fun and adventure. The more tokens they acquire the more places they can visit, the more things they can learn about, the more great games they can play.
WeMuv’s outstanding creative team has built a safe and entertaining world where kids learn as they explore -- about geography, different cultures, nutrition, health, sustainable living and more. And kids can compete with each other or in teams to earn great prizes. WeMuv has also developed an outstanding fundraising platform for schools and local causes, where sponsors can support ‘kids’ steps’. And, importantly, WeMuv gets kids physically active again.
From its beginnings WeMuv has been developed and enriched by a talented team of educators, entrepreneurs, web designers, business managers – and by kids and parents!
In a world where childhood obesity is a serious problem, where outdoor play is to often replaced by passive onscreen entertainment,
Lisa Savelli: Founder & CEO
Lisa is a recognized expert and author in the field of child health and wellness with more than 15 years experience working as a family therapist and child wellness consultant. She has worked with elementary schools across Canada to support integration of anti-bullying, emotional health and child wellness programs. In 2007 she was co-writer of At My Best, a comprehensive school program to address child obesity for kids aged 4-8. Lisa is a co-founder of WeMuv.
Bruce Fairbairn: Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, Bruce Fairbairn brings nearly 30 years of senior experience as a financial analyst, internal auditor, and Chief Financial Officer. Bruce has served in various financial capacities at the Canadian subsidiaries of NYSE-listed companies. He has also served as President and Chief Financial Officer for privately and publicly held firms, including Air Niagara Ltd., Ein Stein Brew House, Range Transportation Services Inc., Swiss Medica Inc., and Evergreen Peripherals Inc.
Kevin Shea: Executive Chairman
Kevin Shea is one of Canada's best-known and most-admired media executives. As the former President and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio and of YTV Canada, Shea led both companies through the CRTC licensing and start-up processes. He has also served as President and COO of the Global Television Network, Executive Vice-President at Bell Globemedia Inc. and as President and CEO of Atlantis Communications Inc. Kevin Shea holds several directorships, including serving on the Board of Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., of Arthur, Caillou and Doodlebops fame. Kevin has been successful in opening many doors for WeMuv thanks to his strategic contacts in both Canada and the U.S.
Gary Slaight: Director
As the much-honoured President and CEO of Slaight Communications, Gary Slaight's experience as a leader in traditional and non-traditional media is invaluable to WeMuv. After successes in advertising and the music industry (he is a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame), Gary joined family-owned Standard Broadcasting as a key executive and helped build what became the largest privately-owned multimedia company in Canada. Since the sale of Standard's radio and television assets in 2007, Gary has continued to bring inspiration and leadership to a wide range of media initiatives. An experienced director for both new business and charitable organizations, Gary brings energy and vision to WeMuv.
As part of its commitment to creating a safe online environment for children and their families, WeMuv offers scripted chat option using Quick Chat.
Quick Chat offers many options but limits what users can say to a predefined menu of greetings, questions and statements, as well as emotes, emoticons, actions and greeting cards.
We encourage parents and guardians to review the following safety precautions with their children:
Never give out personal information, such as your real name, age, location, phone number or school.
Never share your password with anyone except your parents or guardians. Someone else might use your password and pretend to be you, give out your personal information or do something that may get you or others into trouble.
Tell your parents if someone says or does something on the Internet that makes you uncomfortable, or if someone asks you for personal information.
Choose a username that does not reflect your real identity. Make sure your parents or guardians approve your username, it may be a poor or wrong choice, even if it seems innocent to you.
