Nominees Announced April 2nd
We caught up with National Geographic on storytelling in the digital age, future projects and why the Internet can't be stopped. January 25, 2016

Interview with National Geographic VP of Social Media Rajiv Mody

We are thrilled conclude our 20th Annual Call For Entries with the awesome team at National Geographic. As one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world, it’s no surprise Nat Geo has taken home 65 Webby Wins + Nominations. Their earliest win dates back to 2001 for National Geographic Magazine Online, and has since expanded to many new media properties and partnering work with agencies like Mullen and RED.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting an evening of awesome presentations by three National Geographic photographers for the global travel and environmental publication on how they craft stories in the digital age.

Join us as we take a look back at National Geographic’s iconic role in online journalism, along with an interview with National Geographic’s VP of Social Media, Rajiv Mody.

“One planet, seven billion stories.””
— National Geographic's 5-Word Speech (2012)

Nat Geo at The Webbys

\
1/4

"Our lens knows no boundaries.”

2/4

3/4

4/4

Nat Geo + Webbys Presents "Storytelling in the Digital Age"

1/10

2/10

3/10

4/10

5/10

6/10

7/10

8/10

9/10

10/10

Tell us about your depiction of “The Internet Can’t Be Stopped”

We really see the Internet as a place to spark curiosity and captivate people with incredible stories.  Visual storytelling is core to who we are at National Geographic and we believe that the future of storytelling is limitless.

What’s the best thing to happen to the Internet in the past 20 years?

Mobile has revolutionized the Internet. You can reach people anytime and anywhere, which creates endless possibilities.

What are you most excited for in the next 20 years of the Internet?

I’m excited to see where virtual reality goes. It’s quickly becoming less clunky and more engaging. I think we’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to possibilities in this space.

Your team has helped shape the last 20 years of the Webbys. What are you working on now?

It’s pretty amazing when you think about it: We’re a 128-year-old brand, yet have managed to stay on the cutting edge of social and digital.  We’re focused on how to take visual storytelling to the next level, whether that is through stunning photography and video captured through new groundbreaking technologies or delivering powerful stories via new platforms such as Facebook Instant Articles and Snapchat Discover.  We also see virtual reality as a new frontier in storytelling.

How is National Geographic using technology to connect consumers to clients at the moment?

We’re working closely with our partners in all kinds of ways, whether it’s through sponsorships and branded content on nationalgeographic.com, exciting new mobile experiences or integration into emerging platforms like Snapchat Discover. Our content is diverse and includes everything from National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Magazine, News, Travel, Adventure, Kids and more.  We want our partners to be right there with us as we forge ahead.

For the Call for Entries for our 20th Webby Awards, we have partnered with 20 Webby Winners – who throughout the past 20 years have shaped not only The Webby Awards, but the Internet itself. Read more about our 20th Webbys collaboration here.

Don’t forget you can watch all the highlights from the 20th Annual Webby Awards now!

Drag