The Webby Awards Announce Business Website Awards

Posted on November 20, 2002

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, which developed the The Webby Awards, has expanded its scope to the global marketplace by launching a second awards program, The Webby Business Awards. Organizers said The Webby Business Awards would honor companies that excel at using the Web as a mature business tool to achieve critical business goals, such as sales lead generation, product customization, and cost cutting. The deadline to enter The First Annual Webby Business Awards is January 31, 2002.

"Now more than ever, there is a real need in the business world for a trusted, independent authority on Internet business," said Tiffany Shlain, the founder and creative director of The Webby Awards. "We believe the Webby Business Awards can play an important role in advancing how business is conducted online by recognizing the companies that set the standards for the industry."

According to Maya Draisin, the executive director of the Academy, The Webby Business Awards mark the first time that the Academy will use strategic criteria, such as business objectives, resources and results, in addition to creative criteria to evaluate and recognize websites. The Academy is accepting entries in a wide range of categories including: Automotive; Creative Services; Financial Services; Food and Beverage; Health Care and Pharmaceuticals; Information Technology; Marketing and Communications; Media and Entertainment; Professional Services; Retail; Technical Services; Telecommunications; and Travel and Tourism.

A "Good Deeds" Award will provide a cash grant to the most effective non-profit or cause-related site that was developed "pro bono." The Webby Business Awards will also present several special awards focusing on specific business objectives, including: Branding & Design; Cost-Cutting/Operational Efficiency; Customer Relationship Management/Customer Loyalty and Retention; Integration of Online/Offline Marketing; Product Optimization/Personalization; and Sales Lead Generation/Increased Sales.