12th Annual Webby Awards in New York City
In June 2008, Empire Entertainment was invited by Recognition Media, LLC to produce the Webby Awards for the fourth consecutive year. The Webby Awards are the leading international awards honoring excellence in web design, creativity, usability and functionality, and the event has been dubbed "the Internet's Highest Honor" by the New York Times. On the night of the event, more than 850 of the best and the brightest minds on the internet came to honor and be honored for their contributions to the information superhighway.For this year's awards Empire secured Saturday Night Live head writer Seth Meyers to host the 12th Annual event, which was again held at Cipriani Wall Street. Seth Meyers kept the evening light and fun, and introduced Webby Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, David Byrne. Rapper Ludacris was on hand to introduce The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am as the 2008 Webby Artist of the Year.
The program was packed with memorable moments and legendary Webby 5-word acceptance speeches, but the highlight of the evening came when Colbert Report host Stephen Colbert took the stage to receive his trophy for Webby Person of the Year. After an over-the-top grandiose and complimentary introduction (which was clearly written tongue-in-cheek by Colbert himself), he used his five words to maniacally (and hilariously) scream "ME! ME! ME! ME! ME!!!" The evening concluded in high style with an after party at Hiro Ballroom, and a blazing live performance by Ludacris
The evening prior, Empire also produced the 2008 Webby Film & Video Awards at NYU's Skirball Theater. This event was held for the second year to honor the best films and videos to have premiered online in the last year, as well as to recognize individuals who have been influential and forward-thinking with respect to using the internet as a medium for the moving image. At Webby Film & Video Awards Tay Zonday (renowned for his song and viral Web video "Chocolate Rain") stunned the crowd by singing "The Star Spangled Banner" to kick things off. The offbeat and uproarious star of NBC's "30 Rock", Judah Friedlander hosted the event, and introduced Web superstars "Tim & Eric" as 2008's "Best Actor" and also interacted with robotic Web phenomenon Keepon. Later in the show, Academy Award-nominee Rosie Pérez provided a heartfelt and emotional introduction of The Person of the Year - Oscar-winning director Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"). The final award of the evening went to Lorne Michaels for lifetime achievement, primarily for his work on the SNL "digital shorts" many of which have become viral web phenomena. Lorne used his five words ironically, telling the standing ovation crowd "Five words is not enough."
Empire Entertainment again provided oversight of nearly every element of these complex events, including site selection and acquisition, signage, catering, décor, registration, staffing, audio and video, lighting, talent wrangling, and stage management. Empire was pleased to partner with Cipriani Wall Street, NYU, Production Glue, Digital Kitchen, Deccan Designs, Central Talent Booking, and MKPR on these successful projects.Empire is a leading producer of cutting-edge new media events and awards programs and take great pride for consistently delivering great performances for innovative clients like Recognition Media who have chosen to partner with Empire for many years running on their most important projects.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
