For Immediate Release
Contact: Patrick Kowalczyk,patrick@mkpr.com
Gita Chandra,gita@mkpr.com
MKPR, 212.627.8098
11TH ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS LAUNCH CALL FOR ENTRIES;
WEBBYS UNVEIL NEW INTERACTIVE ADVERTISING
AND ONLINE FILM & VIDEO AWARDS
Reflecting Web’s Dominance in Business and Pop Culture,
Webbys Launch Major Expansion with Top Names in Advertising and Entertainment
New York, NY (September 19, 2006) -Building on its decade-long position
as the preeminent awards for Websites, The Webby Awards today launched its 11th Annual Call for
Entries with the debut of major new awards in interactive advertising and online film and video.
Hailed as the “OSCARS® of the Internet” by The New York Times and “one of the most prestigious
awards in the world” by the BBC, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring
excellence on the Internet.
Joining forces with some of the biggest names in advertising and entertainment, including R/GA’s
Bob Greenberg, Wieden+Kennedy’s John Jay, Harvey Weinstein, and Showtime’s Matt Blank, The Webby
Awards unveiled 15 new categories recognizing outstanding achievement in interactive advertising
and also announced the world’s first major awards honoring original film and video premiering on
the Internet.
“The Web is now the dominant force reshaping pop culture and business and nowhere is that more
evident than in the emergence of interactive advertising and the boom in film and video now
premiering on the ‘Net” said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “Having
set the standards for Websites, we are thrilled to now honor the innovators who are taking the
medium in exciting new creative directions.”
The Webbys’ major expansion comes on the heels of its most successful awards season ever. Last
year’s Webbys received a record 5,500 entries in 70+ categories from over 40 countries, and was
capped by a star-studded June gala showcasing an inspired and influential group of Internet
luminaries including Prince, MySpace founder Chris DeWolfe, Arianna Huffington, and author Thomas
Friedman.
To enter your Website, interactive advertising, or online film & video in The 11th Annual Webby
Awards’ more than 100 categories, visit www.webbyawards.com. The early entry deadline is October
27, 2006.
With Internet advertising breaking revenue records and redefining the media landscape, Davies
said the timing was right for The Webby Awards to establish new categories recognizing the
extraordinary range of innovation in the field.
R/GA’s Bob Greenberg is one of more than fifty advertising industry leaders who will serve on the
judging panel for the new interactive advertising categories. Other members include: Jeff
Benjamin, Creative Director, Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Matt Freeman, CEO Worldwide Tribal DDB;
David Eastman, CEO, Agency.com; and Annie Wong, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather,
Hong Kong.
The Webby Film & Video Awards will showcase eleven categories including Animation, Comedy, Drama
and Reality. Davies said Weinstein and Blank will lead a judging panel of entertainment industry
insiders and creative celebrities that includes The Firm’s Rich Frank, Sundance Channel’s Larry
Aidem, and Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO, Fox Entertainment. The awards, which are being
spearheaded by former Variety publisher Gerry Byrne, will be presented at a star-studded
ceremony and screening on the eve of The 11th Annual Webby Awards in June 2007.
The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global
organization with over 550 members including musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard
Branson, Internet inventor and Google Chief Internet Evangelist Vinton Cerf, “Simpsons” creator
Matt Groening, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, and fashion designer Max Azria.
Nominees will be announced in April, and winners will be unveiled in June 2007.
About The Webby Awards:
Called the “OSCARS® of the Internet” by the New York Times, the Webby is the leading international
award honoring excellence in Web design, creativity, usability and functionality. Established in
1996, the 10th Annual Webby Awards received over 5,500 entries from all 50 states and over 40
countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts
and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: AOL, The Creative Group;
Verizon; Adweek; Fortune; Variety; Wired; IDG; iStockphoto; American Marketing Association;
PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image. For more
information visit www.webbyawards.com.
OSCAR® is a federally registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Webby Awards and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are in no way affiliated with or sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or OSCAR®.
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