Lucire kicks off int. Webby Awards’ celebrations

Lucire kicks off international Webby Awards’ celebrations in New Zealand

Wellington and San Francisco, June 1 (JY&A Media) Despite the cancellation of a real-world ceremony in San Francisco, the Seventh Annual Webby Awards look set to be better, thanks to a global series of celebrations that begin in New Zealand on June 5.

New Zealand-headquartered site Lucire ( http://www.lucire.com), the country’s only nominee this year, will kick off 24 hours of celebrations with a dinner party in Wellington.

‘We’re delighted that the original ceremony was cancelled,’ said Lucire publisher Jack Yan. ‘With all the parties being held, the 2003 Webbys will be like the millennium parties—sweeping across the world on June 5 and 6 and showcasing not a Silicon Valley mentality, but worldwide cultures and peoples.’

‘The Webby Awards have always been about two things—honouring the best of the web and bringing people together,’ said Maya Draisin, executive director of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Awards. ‘We can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to this year’s nominees than a worldwide celebration that taps the power of the web to accomplish those goals.’

‘It’s entirely in line with our own principles and we hope the Academy makes the “Celebrate Everywhere” concept a permanent part of the Webbys,’ said Mr Yan.

All who wish to participate online are welcome. The Webby Awards are being webcast as well, thanks to virtual hosting company Oddcast ( http://www.oddcast.com). Nominees were asked to record messages into Oddcast from May 23, discussing everything from their sites to their five-word acceptance speeches, which will be webcast in case of a win. Unlike the Oscars, everyone can attend the Seventh Annual Webby Awards, though an RSVP is necessary. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences invites all to register at < http://www.webbyawards.com/rsvp >.

At the Wellington event, Mr Yan is expected to announce not only Webby-related news, but Lucire’s endorsement by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as its first fashion industry partner.

About Lucire

Lucire, the global fashion magazine, is one of the world's leading fashion titles on the web. Founded in 1997, it covers fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle, with a global perspective for today's woman. It is known for providing in-depth, quality journalism. The magazine is targeted at the woman who is tired of the offerings from established fashion players, and chooses to be herself. Lucire is available at < http://www.lucire.com >. In August 2001, Lucire received 13,000 unique visitors daily. According to Alexa, Lucire is one of the top-ranked pure-play fashion titles in the world.

About the Webby Awards

Founded in 1996, the Webby Awards is the leading international honours for consumer web sites and individual achievement in technology and creativity. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences selects the nominees, winners, and presents the awards’ event. Sponsors of the Seventh Annual Webby Awards include media partners Business 2·0, Fortune and Fortune Small Business magazines; event partners PricewaterhouseCoopers and Nielsen//NetRatings; official sponsors The Creative Group, IDG, Absolut Vodka, Comstock Images, and Rackspace Managed Hosting. For more information visit < http://www.webbyawards.com />.

About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and evolving forms of interactive media. The Academy's goal is to assemble a brilliant panel of leading new media experts, visionaries, journalists, and luminaries to propel the internet and interactive technology into the future. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 420 members such as musicians Beck and David Bowie, internet inventor Vint Cerf, political columnist Arianna Huffington, Real Networks' CEO Rob Glaser, The Simpsons' creator Matt Groening, Smart Mobs author Howard Rheingold, Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, and the Body Shop president Anita Roddick.

Members also include web developers, internet experts and technology writers and editors from publications such as The New York Times, Wired, Forbes, Spin, Fast Company, Travel & Leisure, The Los Angeles Times, Dwell and Wallpaper. For more information, visit < http://www.iadas.net >.

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