Webby Awards Establish International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences

Posted on April 23, 1998

The Webby Awards announced the formation of The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of the digital arts and sciences. According to Tiffany Shlain, a founding member of the academy and producer/creative director of The Webby Awards, the Academy will include individuals who have contributed to the development of the new media industry from a creative, technical, or professional standpoint. The third annual Webby Awards are scheduled to take place in March 1999.

The IADAS' 350 charter members will include the respected 95-member Webby Awards judging academy from the last two years and the principal creative members of all Webby Award-winning sites.

"This is an important step in terms of expanding The Webby Awards," said Kelly Conlin, President of IDG (International Data Group), the company responsible for The Webby Awards. "In order to identify and honor the best Web sites, we need the input of the most creative minds in the industry."

As an industry-wide organization, the IADAS will also supervise and sponsor a number of year-round activities, including a newsletter, online and offline events, and special awards and conferences that bring people together from inside and outside the industry to share ideas and information. The IADAS will also assume nominating and judging responsibilities for each year's Webby Awards. The Webby Awards honor the best creative and innovative Web sites of the year - and the talented editorial, technical, and design teams behind them.