FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Gita Chandra, gita@pkpr.com
Jenny Chang, jenny@pkpr.com
PKPR, 212.627.8098
13th ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS KICKS-OFF CALL FOR ENTRIES
WITH FIRST-EVER AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD
New York, NY (September 23, 2008)- With the Internet now where most advertising campaigns begin and end, The 13th Annual Webby Awards kicked off its call for entries today with new interactive advertising awards, including its first-ever Agency of the Year Award, in recognition of the dramatic industry shift.
“Some of the most exciting and innovative advertising work being done by agencies today brings a real focus on the interactive experience,” said David-Michel Davies, the executive director of The Webby Awards. “With the Internet now the centerpiece of most campaigns and online ad spending only continuing to rise, we felt the timing was right to put a spotlight on the one agency that will set the industry standard this year.”
The first-ever Agency of the Year Award will be presented to the agency receiving the most honors across all Webby Awards categories. In 2008, Norway’s MediaFront and Pasadena’s 42 Entertainment received the most Webby Awards, with four nods each.
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including interactive advertising, Websites, online film and video, and mobile Web sites. To enter work in the interactive advertising categories, visit www.webbyawards.com. The early entry deadline is October 31, 2008.
Noting that advertising spending online was up 11% in the first half of 2008, according to Nielsen Online, Davies cited two other Webby categories reflecting the Internet’s increasingly critical role in advertising campaigns. Best Environmental and Experience Marketing, new for 2009, recognizes the use of online components to enhance a real-world brand experience, while Best Integrated Campaign, launched in 2008, honors advertising campaigns that seamlessly incorporate media, such as print and broadcast, with a Web-focused component.
The 2009 winners will join the ranks of previous Webby winners such as CareerBuilder.com Age-o-Matic (Email Marketing), “Trevor the Mentos Intern” (Online Guerilla Marketing) and “Coca Cola Happiness Factory” (Game or Application).
The 12th Annual Webby Awards received a record 10,000 entries from over 60 countries. The awards season was capped by a star-studded June gala showcasing an influential group of Internet luminaries including Stephen Colbert, David Byrne, and Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am.
The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy whose members include Vinton Cerf, R/GA’s Chief Bob Greenberg, Arianna Huffington, Alex Bogusky of Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, Matt Freeman and Harvey Weinstein.
Nominees for the 13th Annual Webby Awards will be announced in April 2009, and winners will be honored at a gala ceremony in New York City in June 2009.
About The Webby Awards
About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile web sites. Established in 1996, the 12th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Adobe; The Creative Group; Nokia; .ORG; Level 3; Getty Images; The Barbarian Group; Digital Kitchen; Adweek; The New York Times; Variety; Wired; IDG; FirstMark Capital; Brightcove; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.