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This article is from September 30, 2005, and is no longer current.

The 10th Annual Webby Awards Kicks Off Call for Entries

Capping a decade that saw the web change the way the world works and lives, The 10th Annual Webby Awards today kicked off its annual call for entries with new blog, podcast, and video categories that reflect the web’s expanding influence.
Proclaimed “the online equivalent of an Oscar” by the New York Times (June 21, 2005), The Webby Awards is the leading international honors for web sites and the innovators behind them. To get in the running for the 10th Annual Webby Awards, companies, agencies, organizations, and individuals must enter online at https://www.webbyawards.com. The early entry deadline is October 28.
“The 10th Annual Webby Awards represent an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the evolution of the web from an esoteric medium to the driving force shaping popular culture, business, and society today,” said Tiffany Shlain, founder of The Webby Awards. “As the web enters its second decade as an integral part of everyday life, our expanded categories recognize those who are pushing the web in exciting new directions.”
According to Shlain, The 10th Annual Webby Awards are accepting entries in more than 65 categories, including Activism, Automotive, Community, Corporate Communications, Fashion, Music, Retail, Real Estate and Television.
In addition, The 10th Annual Webby Awards will mark the debut of three new blog categories – Business Blog, Political Blog, and Personal/Cultural Blog – and the first-ever category honoring Podcast Sites.
With the public increasingly turning to the web for video coverage of major events, from Hurricane Katrina to the Live 8 concerts, The 10th Annual Webby Awards also announced the debut of a special category for Best Use of Video or Moving Images.
The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization with over 500 members including musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, and fashion designer Max Azria.
The 9th Annual Webby Awards attracted worldwide attention with a star-studded New York City ceremony showcasing five-word speeches from Webby winners. A highlight of the event was former Vice President Al Gore, who was on hand to receive The Webby Lifetime Achievement Award from internet pioneer Vinton Cerf. (Gore’s headline-grabbing speech: “Please don’t recount this vote.”)
The 9th Annual Webby winners were chosen from more than 4,400 entries from 40 countries and all 50 states. Reflecting the web’s egalitarian spirit, last year’s winners ranged from powerhouses like Yahoo! and e*Trade to small, independents like BookCrossing and CafePress.
Nominees and Webby Worthy selections will be announced in April, and winners will be unveiled in May 2006. Winners will be honored at a gala ceremony in New York City in June 2006.
To enter, visit The Webby Awards at www.webbyawards.com for information, guidelines and an official online entry form. Web sites entered before the early entry deadline of October 28 will receive a discount on the entry fee.
The Creative Group, a division of Robert Half International, the premier staffing company for creative professionals, is the Title Sponsor for The 10th Annual Webby Awards.
About The Webby Awards:
Founded in 1996, The Webby Awards is the leading international honors for web sites. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 535-member judging organization consisting of leading experts in a diverse range of fields. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: The Creative Group; Adweek Magazines; Fortune and FSB; American Marketing Association; IDG; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2Advanced Studios, 2 Advanced.net; Online Publishers Association; MX Interactive; Battle for the Heart Creative Roadshow; For more information visit www.webbyawards.com.
About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS):
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and interactive media. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 500 members consisting of leading experts in a diverse range of fields, such as musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, business guru and author Tom Peters, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, fashion designer Max Azria, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening and Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net.

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