Thumbplay News

NEW YORK - May 2, 2007 - Thumbplay Inc., www.thumbplay.com, the leading provider of mobile entertainment, has received two Webby Awards in the Mobile Marketplace & Services category. The site was selected as the industry's best by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy, as well as the general public, whose votes determine the People's Voice award.

"We're thrilled that Thumbplay's commitment to the best content and user experience has been recognized by the Webby Awards, particularly as the first company to win a mobile award," said Are Traasdahl, Thumbplay founder and CEO. "As we offer wireless entertainment products to millions of consumers who visit our site each month, the People's Voice selection is particularly meaningful and is a testament to our dedicated community. In the coming months we will unveil new products and features that will create an even greater entertainment experience for Thumbplay fans."

Thumbplay has built a strong consumer following by offering premium mobile content including ringtones, games, wallpapers and animations. Thumbplay's content is available directly to consumers of all major carriers. In April, Thumbplay was also named an Official Honoree in the Webby's News & Entertainment category.

"The Webby Awards honors the outstanding work that is setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Thumbplay's winner selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."

Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Web sites. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization that includes David Bowie, Harvey Weinstein, Arianna Huffington, Matt Groening, Jamie Oliver, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf and RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser.

Thumbplay currently has more than 60,000 pieces of mobile entertainment content under license including ringtones, wallpapers, games and text-based services and has gained broad recognition as a leader in the direct-to-consumer mobile content space.

About Thumbplay:
Thumbplay, Inc., www.thumbplay.com, is a leading online retailer of mobile entertainment content. The company aggregates, promotes and delivers mobile content directly to members via Thumbplay.com. The site offers ringtones, wallpapers, games and text-based services through a membership-based, community experience. Thumbplay members have access to their own personal library of content through Thumbplay's content locker technology, ensuring they will always have access to their Thumbplay content. Thumbplay, headquartered in New York, was founded by CEO Are Traasdahl and CMO Evan Schwartz.

About The Webby Awards:
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites. Established in 1996, the 11th Annual Webby Awards received a record 8,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Adobe; The Creative Group; Verizon; AOL Video; dotMobi; Level3; Adweek; Fortune; Reuters; Variety; Wired; IDG: Brightcove; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.

About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS):
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and interactive media. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 500 members consisting of leading experts in a diverse range of fields, such as musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, business guru and author Tom Peters, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, fashion designer Max Azria, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net.

Labels: press-release

posted by Thumbplay at 3:25 PM