Harry Styles, Post Malone, Lizzo, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, the cast of “Ted Lasso” and the web series that gave us a kid loving corn are among the nominees for this year’s Webby Awards, recognizing the best internet content and creators.
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences announced the nominees on Tuesday, the result of nearly 14,000 entries from 70 countries.
Styles nabbed a nomination for his commercial for AirPods, Trevor Noah for his segments filmed between the scenes at “The Daily Show” and BTS fans for their YouTube uploads called #MyBTStory. Lizzo got one for her hosting her show “Lizzo’s Watch Out For the Big Grrrls,” in which she hunts for dancers.
Doja Cat’s reluctant social video for Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza — “I like my pizza with refried beans/Peep my ad/ Search YouTube/This ain’t even Mexican food” — was nominated for best advertising partnership, and faces-off in that category with the collaboration between “Ted Lasso” and FIFA 23.
Nominees include “Recess Therapy,” the show that highlighted 7-year-old corn-loving Tariq, Post Malone’s listening experience for “Twelve Carat Toothache” and a VR concert by Megan Thee Stallion was nominated for best metaverse, immersive or virtual performance.
In other music nods, Future’s “Wait For U” featuring Drake and Tems, Muse’s “Compliance,” Disturbed’s “Bad Man” and Christina Aguilera’s reworked “Beautiful” for World Mental Health Day are competing for best music video.
Metallica’s teaming up with “Stranger Things” for a collection of Hellfire Club merchandise was nominated for best partnership or collaboration and the social media accounts of Lupita Nyong’o, Stephen Colbert and Jennifer Garner got nods.
A focus on artificial intelligence reflected the tech world’s fascination with its promise, including OpenAI getting a nomination for best science website or mobile site, and nods for the Heinz ketchup AI artwork campaign and the voice-activated AI color system for Sherwin-Williams.
Companies earning the highest number of nominations are Apple with 22, MTV with 15, National Geographic and Netflix each with 14, Audible with 13, CNN and HBO and The Washington Post each with 12, Google and Meta with 11 apiece and Amazon with 10.
Awards are selected by the Academy, while The Webby People’s Voice Awards are voted on by fans around the world. Voting for that award is open now until April 20. Winners for all awards will be announced on April 25.
Academy members include drummer, filmmaker and writer Questlove, podcaster Roxane Gay, actor LeVar Burton, comedians Samantha Bee and Ziwe Fumudoh, Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani, Savage X Fenty executive Natalie Guzman, fashion designer Tan France, “Abbott Elementary” creator and actor Quinta Brunson, Amazon executive Werner Vogels, podcaster Andy Slavitt, software engineer Tracy Chou and artist Takashi Murakami.
Advertising, Media & PR
Among those recognized this year in the Advertising, Media & PR categories for the 27th Annual Webby Awards are McCann, BBDO, Apple, Accenture Song, Duolingo, Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, Paramount, VMLY&R, Observatory, Mischief @ No Fixed Address, CHEP Network, Serviceplan Germany, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and more.
The contenders for this year’s Agency of the Year are companies that earned more Webby Awards nominations across all categories than any other agency. Leading the nominees are BASIC/DEPT (19), R/GA (14), DEPT (12), TBWAMedia Arts Lab (12), and McCann New York (10).
This year saw an explosion of creative partnerships with brands tapping into new audiences by collaborating with talented creators, celebrities, big budget shows, games and by working together. Stand out collaborations include: Axe Body Spray and Fortnite creator Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf with Mistaverse (The Martin Agency); Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership (Deutsch LA); Chipotle Mexican Grill x Corn Kid (Day One Agency); Just Eat & Katy Perry – Did Somebody Say (McCann London); High Valyrian Lessons (Duolingo x HBO); Good Night World (Headspace and Sesame Street); Megan Thee Stallion and Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Snackable Screens (OMD USA); Burberry x Minecraft (Burberry) and Ted Lasso and FIFA 23 (Apple).
Reflecting the industry’s focus on using new technologies like artificial intelligence and creating immersive experiences, nominated brands and agencies are connecting and entertaining consumers with projects like Sherwin Williams Speaking in Color (Wunderman Thompson) and Heinz Ketchup AI (Rethink), House of the Dragon: DracARys (HBO) and Nike – Just A/Run (R/GA)
Webby nominees are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Members include: Kieran Donahue, chief marketing officer, IHOP; Peggy Ang, chief marketing officer, LG Electronics; Charisse Hughes, chief brand & advanced analytics officer, Kellogg; Sérgio Mugnaini, chief creative officer, Ogilvy Brasil; Kerstin Emhoff, co-founder and CEO of PRETTYBIRD; Joanna Popper, chief metaverse officer, Creative Artists Agency; Jorge Hernandez, founder partner & chief marketing officer, Majority; Jennifer Cotter, CCO, Peloton Interactive; Alexander El-Meligi, co-founder & CEO, Demodern; and Joakim Borgstrom, chief creative officer, BBH London.
Creative Agencies are also entertaining, educating and inspiring the industry in new ways with nominated podcasts in the Creativity & Marketing category, they include: #5Things: This week in social (Grey); Icons in the Making (Lippincott) and Creativity in Captivity (Sweetwood Creative).
Alongside Agency of the Year, this year’s Webbys will also recognize Production Company of the Year. Companies currently in the running include: Media.Monks B.V. (11), Cut+Run (4) and m ss ng p eces (4).
Network of the Year will also be presented at this year’s Webby Awards. The following networks that earned more Webby Awards nominations across all categories are in contention: McCann Worldgroup (41), DEPT (31), TBWA Worldwide (22), Accenture (17), BBDO Worldwide (14) and Wieden+Kennedy (14).
With nearly 14,000 entries from over 70 countries around the world and a record number of Social entries, this year’s competition was extremely competitive. From the tens of thousands of global entries submitted, fewer than 12% were selected as Nominees.
Winners for The 27th Annual Webby Awards will be announced on April 25, and will be celebrated at a star-studded in-person award show on Monday, May 15, at Cipriani Wall Street. For a complete list of nominees and to vote for the People’s Voice Awards, visit here.
27th Annual Webby Advertising, Media and PR nominee highlights include:
Media & Entertainment, Branded Content (Advertising, Media & PR)
- The Afterparty: R.I.P. Xavier – Apple
- Live From The Upside Down – Observatory
- Verizon Pepsi Halftime Ultra Pass – R/GA
- SMILE – Theatrical Viral Marketing Campaign – TriplePlay Digital
- Supercell – Clash From The Past – Wieden+Kennedy
Products & Services, Branded Content (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Trapped in the 90’s – McCann
- Prime Night: Longest TikTok Live Ever for Deals – Amazon
- JP Morgan Wealth Management – Droga5
- The Athlete – Your Privacy, More Protected – Meta
- Shot on iPhone 13 Pro – Those That Follow – TBWAMedia Arts Lab
Health, Wellness & Pharmaceutical, Branded Content (Advertising, Media & PR)
- HISTOIRE DE SE FAIRE PLAISIR – DENTSU CREATIVE
- The Truth, Undressed – AnalogFolk
- The Sleep Games – Bustle Digital Group
- Dear Rich – Stept Studios
- I Will Always Be Me – VMLY&R
Best Partnership or Collaboration, PR Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- FIFA 23 x TED LASSO – Apple
- Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership – Deutsch LA
- High Valyrian Lessons – Duolingo
- The Coors Light – Mischief @ No Fixed Address
- Mind Ordering – WorkInProgress
Best Partnership or Collaboration, Metaverse & Immersive Features (Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual)
- Burberry x Minecraft Partnership – Burberry
- ADOBE x BOWIE – Dentsu Creative Amsterdam
- AMBUSH x Reese’s Puffs Breakfastverse – Active Theory
- McDonald’s x Karen X Cheng – IW Group
- RIMOWA x RTFKT – RIMOWA
Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features (Podcasts)
- Goodnight, World – Headspace
- Live Debate: Unresolved: Information Disorder – Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates
- World Corrupt – Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
- Björk: Sonic Symbolism (Mailchimp & Talkhouse) – Talkhouse
- Naturally Curious-Houston Museum of Natural Science – Texas Monthly Studio
Best Original Music or Music Supervision, Craft (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Did Somebody Say Katy Perry – McCann London
- A (Slightly) Life Changing Story – Droga5
- Tubi: Rabbit Holes – Mischief @ No Fixed Address
- Heart Rate Challenge – Superconductor
- Holiday – Share the Joy – TBWAMedia Arts Lab
Best Art Direction, Craft (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Tough Turban – Zulu Alpha Kilo
- American Red Cross – A Bloody Nightmare – BBDO New York
- LinkedIn – Your Future in the Stars – R/GA
- Superior Bowl – Sparks
- Sally’s Seashells – Squarespace
Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics, Craft (Advertising, Media & PR)
- That Reading Feeling Awaits – Droga5
- Be A Rainbow – Droga5
- Hulu IDs – Hulu
- Give Where You Live – Kin
- Am I Dreaming – The Shipyard
Best Launch, PR Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- High Valyrian Lessons – Duolingo
- Pay With Change – Edelman
- Halo The Series – Drone Activation at SXSW – Paramount+
- SMILE – Theatrical Viral Marketing Campaign – TriplePlay Digtal
- Putting the World on Notice – Weber Shandwick
Integrated Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Cirkulär – Accenture Song
- Not Delivered – OKTO
- Hands-free – Goodby Silverstein & Partners
- Wrapped Integrated Campaign – Spotify In-House
- Nike – Seen It All – 50th Anniversary – Wieden+Kennedy
Best Community Engagement, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Emerging Creative Hubs Index 2022 – WeTransfer
- Lil Mbappé – Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam
- Token of Love – Verizon
- Budweiser: Bring Home The Bud – Wieden+Kennedy
- The Coca-Cola Beatcan Campaign – FCB Africa (Pty) Ltd
Best Social Impact Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- ReclaimYourName.dic – Citizen Relations
- Freedom Grams – SERVICEPLAN GERMANY
- Oppression Offset – Prime Weber Shandwick
- Theirworld – Let Me Learn – BBDO New York
- Thoughts & Prayers – McCann New York
Best Cause Related Campaign, PR Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- The Elections Edition – Impact BBDO
- Feel What We Feel – Grey Canada / TANK Worldwide
- Add The M – Rethink
- HetzJaeger. Antifascist Algorithms.- Philipp and Keuntje
- Get F*cked By The Government on Your Terms – Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Real-Time Response, PR Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Dove Keep The Grey – Edelman Canada
- WikiTruth – Publicis Groupe Benelux
- Nissan Leaf Mobile Charger – TBWASantiago Mangada Puno
- Chipotle Mexican Grill x Corn Kid – Day One Agency
- Overtime Deal – The Martin Agency
Best Use of Social Media, Media Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Dove Keep The Grey – Edelman Canada
- Handbutts – Wunderman Thompson Switzerland AG
- Special Love Operation – JANDL marketing a reklama, s.r.o.
- Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Snackable Screens – OMD USA
- Smile Movie | Paramount Pictures – Paramount Pictures
Best Use of Online Media, Media Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Flipvertising – CHEP Network
- The XXXtra Age Check – Wunderman Thompson
- Paywall Down – WMcCann
- HetzJaeger. Antifascist Algorithms.- Philipp and Keuntje
- WikiTruth – Publicis Groupe Benelux
In-Game Integration, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
- Chatham Plays On – The Hive Inc.
- Cheat Cookies – Publicis Media GmbH
- FIFA 23 x TED LASSO – Apple
- Spotify Island on Roblox – Spotify In-House
- Mistaverse – The Martin Agency
Technical Achievement, Features & Design (Websites and Mobile Sites)
- Struggly – math as a creative, visually connected subject. – denkwerk
- DIG: Cloud Castles – DEPT®
- iPhone 14 Pro Site – Apple
- B/D® JAMS – BASIC/DEPT®
- ACADEMY AWARDS HISTORY TIMELINE – Impossible Bureau
