Hailed as the "internet's highest honor" by the New York Times, the Webby Awards assess thousands of entries every year in an effort to recognize outstanding brands, initiatives, designs and individuals across the internet.

This year's awards garnered 11,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries, with people in more than 200 countries voting online in the People's Voice awards.

The 2013 winners include special honors for music artist Frank Ocean, the Obama for America 2012 presidential campaign, and Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who spearheaded online activism in support of gay rights.

Brands taking home awards this year include Change.org, Google Maps and Glassdoor. brandchannel's parent company, Interbrand, was nominated in the Best Visual Design- Function category for its Best Global Brands 2012 website.

Here's how some other top brands made out this year:Continue reading...

Alibaba regains control of future with purchase of Yahoo stake.

Audi will bundle SiriusXM traffic subscriptions in select 2013 models.

Best Buy tops profit estimates on smartphone sales.

Comcast leads U.S. cable operators to create nationwide CableWiFi network of hot spots, and launches integrated local ad sales.

Crocs taps bloggers to promote new styles.

DC Comics intends to bring a major character out of the closet.

Facebook's 11 percent drop on Monday sees fingers pointed at Morgan Stanley, raises more questions about its mobile strategy and creates schadenfreude moment for News Corp.'s ill-fated MySpace acquisition.

General Mills announces layoffs.

Google seals acquisition of Motorola Mobility.Continue reading...

The insatiable Chinese consumer is one of the big reasons luxury brand marketers like the French conglomerate LVMH took the recent economic downturn in stride. 

LVMH, owner of iconic brand names including De Beers, Fendi, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton, recognized years ago that China represented a burgeoning luxury market. Along with European competitors like Hermes and Burberry, LVMH aggressively sought out Chinese retail channels for its products.

Even though luxury products continue to enjoy popularity, there are signs that store sales may be leveling off in China. That's why LVMH is looking to the Internet as a new way of engaging upscale Chinese consumers, as evidenced by the launch of a Chinese-language version of its Nowness.com portal.Continue reading...

The deadline is looming for entries for the 16th Annual Webby Awards: Friday, December 16th.

The Webby Awards, established in 1996, recognizes the year’s best websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, mobile and apps.

Reflecting the expansion of the Internet, IADAS has added the following new categories for your consideration:Continue reading...

Last night, the 15th annual Webby Awards were presented in New York, hosted by past winner Lisa Kudrow and once again enforcing the five-word limit on speeches by the winners.

Some of the best (watch below) included Vogue editor Anna Wintour (above), who accepted the People's Choice Award from Daniel Radcliffe with "Sometimes, geeks can be chic."Continue reading...

This mash-up of memorable (and mandatory) five-word acceptance speeches heralds the 15th annual Webby Awards call for entries.

The Webbys announced “it is expanding its mission to reflect the profound impact apps and the mobile Web are having on advertising, branding, and marketing.” There’s a new suite of categories for handheld and tablet devices and new Academy members include Yelp.com CEO Jeremy Stoppelman, UrbanDaddy CEO Lance Broumand, and Thrillist co-founder Ben Lerer.Continue reading...