New Zealand entries have made their most signifi cant splash yet in the 2009 Webby Awards, the Oscars of the Internet, winning in three categories.
Wellington-based online accounting software provider Xero was nominated in the Banking/Bill Paying category for its software and for its marketing site, www.xero.com The Xero application won the Webby Award and also won the People’s Voice Award in this same category.
Philip Fierlinger, Head of Design at Xero said, “Winning two Webbys is overwhelming. Reading all the omments people wrote is really humbling. We had a vision to make accounting sexy and fun, but to actually hear people say those words about Xero is incredibly gratifying.”
People’s Choice comments about Xero on the Webbys site included: “If Xero was a person I would like to give them a big hug. I am no longer scared about accounting and I owe it all to this brilliant piece of software. Accounting with Xero, as sad as it may sound, is actually fun. I am addicted for life!”
Auckland-based multidisciplinary design firm, Alt Group won the Best Associations Award for its Create an Effect campaign (www.justaddnewzealanders.com), which was devised to raise theinternational profi le of New Zealand TVC production companies.
“Winning a Webby is a huge accolade for us and demonstrates agency collaboration. Our Web team collaborated with Web gurus Shift to showcase New Zealand’s design talent in offshore markets,” said Dean Poole, creative director at Alt Group.
Arguably the highestprofile Kiwi winner was musical comedy act Flight of the Conchords, which won the Television section and the People’s Voice Award for its Lip Dub online competition (fl ightlipdub.com), in which fans were asked to submit video clips of themselves lip-synching to a Conchords track.
Online safety organisation NetSafe was nominated in the Best Use Of Animation Or Motion Graphics category for its NetBasics campaign (www.netbasics.org.nz).
There are dozens of categories and hundreds of entries in the Webbys, now in their 13th year. Have a look at the winners and contenders at www.webbyawards.com
And remember: there’s still time to cast your vote in the 2009 People’s Choice NetGuide Web Awards. See the inside front cover for details.