8th Annual Shorty Awards
Hailed as the Oscars of social media, the Shorty Awardshonor the best influencers, celebritiesand brands on popular social media platforms such as Snapchat, Periscope,Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and more. The 8th Annual Shorty Awards returnedthis year to The TimesCenter on Monday, April 11. Streaming live on YouTube toover 100,000 viewers, the event highlighted popular digital talent, animals,blogs and content, alongside traditional celebrities.
Mamrie Hart, ranked #2 on Buzzfeed’s list of “10 YouTubersTo Know,” hosted this year’s program, while Pitch Perfect 2’s Flula pumpedup the show as the house DJ. Presenters ranged the gamut from internet starssuch as Hannah Hart, Rhett & Link, Lele Pons and Frankie Grande toAmerica’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker, Fuse TV’s Chris Gethard and LMFAO’sRedfoo.
The competition was fierce this year with over 3.4 millionvotes, nearly double that of last year. Winners of the signature Shorty Awardswhale tail included Jimmy Fallon, Misty Copeland, Katie Couric, Adele, JiffPom,Baddie Winkle, Lindsey Sterling, Kevin Hart, Hannah Hart, Casey Neistat andSnapchatter of the Year – DJ Khaled. Not to mention Pizza Rat walking off withthe Shorty Award for GIF of the Year.
International R&B sensation Nico & Vinz hit thestage for a special musical performance with their hit song “Am I Wrong” andnew track from DJ Spinking “League of Your Own.” Once again, the entire programwas simulcast to a separate viewing party downstairs where guests were able tonetwork while enjoying the delicious caterings of Cleaver and Co, beer fromSixpoint and signature cocktails in teal wax-dipped glasses from Maker’s Mark. Winnersfrom this year’s brand and organization competition accepted their trophies ontheir very own stage where they were invited to record their acceptancespeeches as well.
We’re proud to partner with The Shorty Awards for our secondyear and we wish a huge congratulation to all the influencer and brand winnersthis year!
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
