One of the best things about the Webby Awards is that the winners are announced weeks before the awards ceremony, giving them time to prepare their trademark five-word Webby acceptance speeches and sparing the nominees from having to have one ready.
The awards ceremony is May 18. It’s hosted by actor/comedian Hannibal Buress and can be watched on demand at webbyawards.com starting at 9 a.m. May 19.
Since 1996, the Webbys have recognized achievements in online media in several categories, including websites, advertising and media, online film and video, mobile sites and apps, and social media.
The winners were announced this week, and it looks like 2015 is the year of the TV Jimmys. Jimmy Fallon wins for best entertainment app and for television website. Jimmy Kimmel wins the comedy category in online film and video for “Mean Tweets,” and the viral and branded entertainment categories for “Halloween Candy Prank.”
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star Ellie Kemper is best actress and series co-star Tituss Burgess is best actor for their work in the Netflix series.
Coldplay wins the music and best use of interactive video awards.
Online streaming video platform winners include HBO Go and Hulu Plus. SoundCloud wins the honors for streaming audio and for music app.
Special achievement honors are going to comedian Chelsea Peretti for her Netflix special "Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats."
Viral phenomenon the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will be recognized for raising awareness and funds for ALS research.
Wired co-founders Jane Metcalfe and Louis Rossetto will get the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Breakout of the year honors go to online dating app Tinder.
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The new Apple Watch not only tells you what time it is, it can also take you back in time. The History Channel is one of the first out of the starting gate with an app designed especially for the new Apple Watch.
A new version of the History Here app is compatible with Apple’s much-anticipated smartwatch. History Here is an interactive guide to a large selection of historic places in the U.S., with information, photos and maps.
A new feature sends alerts to users when they’re near a historic point of interest.
There are tours of interesting sites, including a Marilyn Monroe Los Angeles tour that goes from the hospital where she was born to her gravesite, plus Al Capone's Chicago, Civil War Atlanta and New York’s Central Park.
For a demo, go to: https://aenetworks.box.com/s/hu5peiuwkw6vdnctg2dj97jvtd9nfx7w
Adrian McCoy: amccoy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1865.
First Published: May 1, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
