Lucire kicks off international Webby Awards’ celebrations in New Zealand
Wellington and San Francisco, June 1 (JY 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 >.