Do Something Named Best Youth Web Site in Webby People's Voice Awards
New York, NY — May 5, 2009 - The award-winning Do Something, the largest national organization in America for young people and social change, can now add the 2009 Webby People's Voice Award in the category of Youth to its list of "awesome things we've done."
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 websites.
"The World Wide Web is like a series of pipes and DoSomething.org is grateful to all the plumbers that made this possible," said George Weiner, Do Something CTO. "It was and still is the feedback and actions of teens across the country that continues to make Do Something a success."
Reaching over 12 million people (age 25 and under) in 2008, Do Something is driven by their rule of "No Money, No Car, and No Adults!" A trusted resource for young people looking to get involved in their community, DoSomething.org gives young people easy ways to take action around and get involved in over 80 causes and issues. DoSomething.org also houses the largest national database of geo-sorted, youth-appropriate volunteer opportunities, which are available via mobile text message.
"We were up against giants like MTV and Marvel Comics — so literally battling a superhero," exclaimed Nancy Lublin, Do Something CEO & Chief Old Person. "And as an FYI, George our CTO taught himself to write code by buying one of those 'For Dummies' books and spending incredibly long hours in the office."
This year, over 500,000 votes were cast by people around the world for their favorite sites, videos, and ads in The Webby People's Voice Awards. A list of both Webby Awards and People's Voice Awards winners can be found here.
"The Webby Awards honors the very best of the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Do Something's win is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."
DoSomething.org will be honored at a star-studded ceremony hosted by Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers on June 8th in New York City. On June 9th, fans will be able to watch the ceremony, including Do Something's five-word speech, at the official Webby Awards YouTube Channel.
The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 650-person judging academy whose members include Internet co-inventor Vint Cerf, R/GA's Chief Bob Greenberg, "Simpson's" creator Matt Groening, Arianna Huffington and Harvey Weinstein.
The 13th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states.
Founded in 1996, The Webby Awards are known worldwide for its famous five-word speech limit. Past Webby Award winners — and their speeches — include Al Gore ("Please don't recount this vote"), Beastie Boys ("Can anyone fix my computer?"), and Stephen Colbert ("Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.").
ABOUT DO SOMETHING:
Do Something believes teenagers have the power to make a difference. We leverage communication technologies to enable teens to convert their ideas and energy into positive action. Recipient of Fast Company's Social Capitalist Award in 2008 and Webby People's Voice Award in 2009, Do Something inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers (nearly 12 million kids in 2008): Teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Plug in at www.DoSomething.org.
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 over 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: YouTube; Microsoft Silverlight; The Creative Group; .ORG; Getty Images; The Barbarian Group; Digital Kitchen; Variety; Wired; IDG; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.
