FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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FOR FIRST TIME, AOL TO HOST PUBLIC VOTING FOR WEBBY AWARDS
Webby Awards and AOL team up to launch public voting site to reach users across AOL’s network of sites
New York, NY (APRIL 6, 2010) – Giving millions more people an opportunity to help choose the winners for this year’s Webby People’s Voice Awards, AOL and The Webby Awards are teaming up to launch a public voting site hosted by AOL that will reach users across AOL’s network of more than 80 content sites. This is the first time the People’s Voice awards voting will occur on a partner site, and not within WebbyAwards.com.
Unlike other award shows, where only judges choose the winners, The Webby Awards gives the public an opportunity to decide who will take home a Webby in The Webby People’s Voice Awards.
Under the partnership, The Webby Awards and AOL will launch a sophisticated marketing campaign that leverages Advertising.com’s innovative targeting and rich media technologies to place customized, contextual ads, featuring real-time voting results, across AOL’s network of sites. AOL will also provide editorial support to help users discover and participate in the voting process.
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, online film and video, interactive advertising, and mobile websites. AOL Inc. is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience.
“We’re thrilled to be working with AOL on taking the Webby People’s Voice Awards to an exciting new level this year,” said David-Michel Davies, executive director of the Webby Awards. “AOL’s network of sites will give millions of more people an opportunity to help decide who will win a Webby Award.”
“AOL celebrates digital creativity and innovation on our network of sites and across the web,” said Allison Tepley, vice president, marketing, AOL Advertising. “We look forward to bringing the People’s Voice Awards to our users and are honored that the Webby Awards team entrusted AOL to host this program.”
Webby People’s Voice voting runs from April 13th through April 29th and fans can cast their votes in The Webby People’s Voice Awards exclusively at webby.aol.com.
In addition, AOL will also be a title sponsor of the star-studded 14th Annual Webby Awards taking place on June 14, 2010 in New York City. Webby Award winners and People’s Voice award winners for this year’s awards will be announced on May 4, 2010.
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 13th 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: Microsoft Silverlight; The Creative Group; .ORG; YouTube; Getty Images; Wieden + Kennedy; The Barbarian Group; The New York Times Company; Behance; Limelight Networks; IDG; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL’s business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL’s owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL’s consumer offerings.