Brahm voted best government website for international Webby Awards – the ‘online oscars’

Brahm recognised alongside the former Vice President Al Gore at the internet awards ceremony in New York City, 6th June 2005

The Webby Awards, the leading international honor for websites, has announced the public has voted www.connexions-direct.com for The People’s Voice - Best Government Website of 2005. The site, created by agency Brahm, wins alongside Lifetime Achievement winner the Former Vice President Al Gore and websites including Google.com.

Hailed as “the online Oscars” by Time Magazine, The Webby Awards is the leading international honor for web sites and the people behind them. The awards are presented by the Academy, a global organisation dedicated to the creative, technical and professional progress of the internet. Members include musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, Oracle chairman Larry Ellison and fashion designer Max Azria.

This year, the 9th Annual Webby Awards received a record number of entries from over 40 countries and all 50 states. Websites were selected for shortlist based on excellence in the following criteria: content; structure and navigation; visual design; functionality; interactivity and overall experience. Over 200,000 votes were cast by the people around the world who chose their favorite sites in The People’s Voice Awards.

More than 450 winners, industry leaders, and celebrities will attend the gala event on June 6th at New York City’s legendary Gotham Hall.

“The winners of The 9th Annual Webby Awards reveal how the web has become the driving force shaping popular culture, the marketplace, and society as a whole,” said Tiffany Shlain, the founder and chairperson of The Webby Awards. “From visionaries like former Vice President Al Gore to the inventive organisations and individuals behind this year’s winning web sites, The Webby Awards are proud to salute the people who have made the internet such a powerful and influential medium.”

“We are thrilled to win such a prestigious award. It’s an amazing feeling to have our work voted as one of the best Government sites worldwide,” commented Thea Mallett, associate director and head of digital and design at Brahm. “The website is a credit to the commitment of the combined team to deliver outstanding results. Thank you to everyone who voted.”

The award winning website www.connexions-direct.com provides extensive information and advice for young people throughout the UK, aged 13 to 19 years.

A full list of 2005 winners – and the teams behind them – can be found at www.webbyawards.com. Previous Webby winners include Amazon, eBay, Yahoo! and BBC News.