1st Web TV Awards To Be Held At 2012 CES

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 6/9/2011

New York - The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), producer of International CES, is partnering with the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV) to hold the inaugural IAWTV Awards at the 2012 show.

The IAWTV Awards will take place at CES, on the evening of Jan. 12, 2012, at the Venetian in Las Vegas.  

Best known for shaping and promoting the evolving web television industry, the IAWTV Awards will be the first award show that is by content producers for content producers within the industry, both groups said.

The awards will serve as an annual event that allows its members to pay tribute to the best of their profession, while networking among industry luminaries and supporting the Academy. From studio executives to YouTube celebrities and independent content creators, members will honor those that are successfully creating entertainment for digital platforms.

"The academy has spoken and agrees that the IAWTV Awards will further our mission of advancing the arts and sciences of web television and fostering a spirit of community within the web video industry," said Paul Kontonis, chairman of IAWTV and VP/group director of brand content at The Third Act, Digitas.

"To have the show during CES not only allows us to celebrate excellence in online video, but also proves that more mainstream audiences are also recognizing the quality and unique content the web television industry provides. The International CES serves as the perfect opportunity to raise greater awareness of these incredibly innovative content creators among global audiences."

Former AOL TV and Babelgum executive Amber J. Lawson serves as IAWTV Awards Committee chair and will oversee the creative development of the show itself, as well as sponsorship opportunities. Kontonis and Lawson announced the show and CEA partnership at Digitas' NewFront during Internet Week to the online producers, distributors and brands attending the event.

Lawson added "We are launching our awards show during the 2012 CES because it is the world's leading technology and content conference, and it attracts visionaries and innovators from across the globe. Just like CES, the IAWTV Awards will be the perfect marriage of entertainment, technology and talent, and we look forward to recognizing the best online series producers and productions."

"The IAWTV Awards are a perfect addition to the content-focused attractions at the 2012 International CES as part of our Entertainment Matters program for the Hollywood, entertainment and digital communities," said Karen Chupka, conferences and events senior VP for CEA. "These IAWTV Awards will help bring the best of web video to the top entertainment executives interested in the convergence of content and technology who attend the International CES."  

For its inaugural gala, the IAWTV Awards will consist of 33 categories honoring web series and talent, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Submissions for the IAWTV Awards will be open to individual producers, production teams and companies, YouTube stars and major studios and mainstream talent. A full list of categories for the first IAWTV Awards can be found at http://iawtv.org/awards/categories/

The IAWTV is currently reviewing sponsorship opportunities for the awards. For more information, please contact sponsorship@iawtv.org or visit www.iawtv.org. For 2012 CES information, visit www.cesweb.org.