The Lovie Awards

Category Definitions

If you are unsure of which category or categories to select for your entry, consult the complete category definitions below.

Art Sites primarily to display or promote art of any medium, art galleries, art auctions or content focused on art criticism or the art world.

Best Home/Welcome Page Only home or welcome page judged.

Best Navigation/Structure Only information architecture judged.

Best Practices Best practices sites serve as an industry benchmark for the most current, innovative, and advanced practices in web development. Sites demonstrating unparalleled excellence across The Academy's six criteria: content, structure & navigation, visual design, interactivity, functionality, and overall experience.

Best Writing - Editorial Only editorial writing on website judged.

Charitable Organisations/Non-Profit Sites for charities and charitable organisations whose primary purpose is helping people or other worthy causes.

Community Sites creating and facilitating online community, connectedness and/or communication around shared interests. These sites can target either a broad-based or niche audience.

Corporate Communications Sites that serve as online identities for corporations, organisations, businesses or professional individuals. These sites may promote, market or provide information and a point of contact for products, services, corporate individuals or companies involved in on or offline commerce.

Design Sites and experiences where visual design is intended to be beautiful, emotional, and appeal to the senses. Including sites that rely on visual design as a critical part of a functional user experience.

Desktop Apps Desktop apps allowing real world activities to be done online and offline. These include applications that can be downloaded from an app store and cover business, education, entertainment, finance, desktop games, social media, music, productivity, weather and everything in-between.

Education Sites that are educational, promote education, or provide online curriculum or education services. This category includes educational content for children or adults, resources for educators, and "distance learning" courses. Does not include school sites.

Fashion & Beauty Sites promoting personal style, clothing, design, & accessories. Including beauty products, regimes & tips. These include sites selling fashion & beauty items or promoting designers, and editorial sites with fashion & beauty news and information.

Financial Services Sites providing financial services and/or information. These include online stock trading, financial news, mortgage information, credit cards, or investor relations and services. Does not include online banking sites

Flash Sites that showcase an exciting and interesting use of Flash. These may include animations, interfaces, scripting and integration within the website.

Food & Beverage Sites promoting food and beverage products including snack foods, candy, confections, chewing gum, fresh and frozen food, soft drinks, juices, energy drinks and water. Also sites featuring content about food or beverages, including recipes or recommendations.

Games Sites featuring direct online gaming for individuals or multi-player. Includes games of any type including action, sports, fantasy, skill, or logic. Branded or sponsored games, sites promoting, reviewing, and providing gaming resources are not accepted in this category.

Government Sites providing information and services pertaining to government matters. These include sites that enable online citizen action, offer self-help information, publish government documents and forms, and provide access to services provided by government agencies.

HTML 5 Sites showing creative and innovative use of HTML5 functions ranging from embedded graphics, audio, video to interactive documents.

Health Sites providing information and resources to improve personal health and well-being. These may include medical news sites, health information, and online diagnosis. Health includes not only medicine but also includes alternative and mental health and fitness websites.

Lifestyle Sites featuring commentary, commerce and advice on lifestyle and living topics such as gardening, home improvement, interior design, architecture, and like subjects. Sites touching on the personal side of life by providing information and resources that allow people to live on their own terms.

Movie & Film Sites dedicated to promotion, celebration and presentation of films, movies and film culture. These include movie promotional sites, film news, film resources, film magazines and film archives. This does not include fan sites.

Music Sites dedicated to the distribution and/or presentation of music or musical information. These sites may provide a direct listening experience, commerce, or promote musical awareness including musicians' or record labels' sites, sites that promote musical events, or those that teach music or about music.

News Sites developed for the distribution of recent happenings. These may be offshoots of established broadcast or other existing news operations, or developed specifically for online news.

Personal Websites Sites about individuals. These personal sites are created by you about you, by you about someone else, or by someone else about you. Portfolio sites are not accepted in this category.

Retail/Shopping Sites providing consumers online commerce and retail sales of any products or services.

Social & Community Social media definition - Sites that facilitate the process of connecting individuals through the Internet. Their purpose may be business or pleasure. They may use friend-of-friend connections to form a social network or use technology to make the connection. Includes dating and matchmaking sites.
Community - Sites creating and facilitating online community, connectedness and/or communication around shared interests. These sites can target either a broad-based or niche audience.

Social Game A game that utlises any aspect of social networks, either hosting or sharing the game through the network. The game will be judged on the overall quality and integration into the social platform/s.

Sports Sites for sports news, sporting culture, sports teams, sports statistics, sports data, sporting events, and sports history. Includes fantasy sports sites.

Television Sites which are online counterparts of television programs, promote television programs, television networks, or cable networks.

Travel/Tourism Sites that promote travel and tourism destinations, specific travel activities or promotional and informational tourism websites. Includes city, country or regional sites, tourist attractions, and chamber of commerce sites. Sites that provide travel services and information. These include online agents for purchasing tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, holiday packages and other travel services. Includes online travel guides, travel writing, and travel tools.

Web Services & Applications Sites, web applications and widgets allowing real world activities to be done online. These include agent or bot sites as well as application sites that help people find edit photos, create documents, find jobs, locate houses, make dates, or which otherwise facilitate typically offline activities from a keyboard.

Weird/Experimental Sites that just seem strange, offbeat or odd. This category includes sites that reflect a fresh perspective in thought and action strong enough to start a revolution, change a behaviour pattern, or advance old thinking lodged in bad habits, or that are just plain weird.

Writing Only copy and writing judged.

Youth Sites for those under 18: kids, youth, adolescents, teens and young adults.

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Category Definitions

If you are unsure of which category or categories to select for your entry, consult the complete category definitions below.

Banner Ads Includes banners, buttons, pop-ups/unders, etc. Can include static or dynamic banners but must conform to common IAB-accepted banner sizes.

Best Copywriting Best, most creative copy written for advertising or marketing purposes.

Brand Microsite Limited to a temporary website that is created for a specific purpose. Whether it promotes the brand, product or services.

Branded Content Short films, commercials and video that premiered on the Internet and promote brands, products or services for commercial purposes i.e. advertising.

Branded Game or Application A web-based or downloadable game or application made on behalf of a client to specifically market a good, service or event.

Integrated Experience Integrated Campaigns must include at least 3 different media types, one of which must be online. In addition to online, other media types can include print, outdoor, TV, guerrilla or radio.

Mobile & Experiential The use of mobile, interactive or online components to create real-world brand immersion. This can consist of q-codes integration, interactive kiosks, GPS technology, outdoor interactive signage and other environmental marketing that prompts the user to interact with the web via computer or mobile device.

Mobile Advertising Includes mobile web banners and posters (from text to rich media and gaming), SMS or MMS advertising, in-app advertising (in-game, in-video), full-screen interstitials, audio advertisements. Only the advertisement judged.

Online-Only Campaign Online campaigns must consist of at least 3 different components, all of which must have been done online. This includes email, banners, websites, online guerrilla marketing, online commercials, and mobile advertising.

Rich Media Includes rich media created as a communications and marketing tool between businesses and consumers. Includes rich media created on behalf of a non-profit, governmental, educational or political body. Includes foundations, museums, NGOs, universities, etc. Includes rich media created to promote special sales, new products, seasonal goods or to increase sales of a specific product or service.

Social Media Campaign The entry must demonstrate the best use of social media platforms for an advertising campaign, showing the results of the interest that was generated by the followers inside and outside the platform.

Social Media Marketing Best, most creative, innovative or highly effective use of online social media -- websites, applications, APIs, plug-ins, etc -- within an advertising or marketing campaign.

Social Media for Good Campaign Social media platforms facilitating political change, social movement, human rights, public education and reform, or revolution.

Viral Advertising An advertising and marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message. Can be graphic, text or video-based advertising.

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Category Definitions

If you are unsure of which category or categories to select for your entry, consult the complete category definitions below.

Animation Original cartoons, motion graphics, illustrations or digitally animated images premiered on the Internet. Individual episodes or entire series may be entered.

Best Editing This category considers the craft of editing independent of genre. Technical ability, creative execution and adherence to the standards of the craft will all be considered.

Best Individual Performance Best individual performance by a person or thing (puppet, animal, flying lawnmower, etc.) in a video series or episode. Can consist of a particularly poignant dramatic performance, a breathtaking stunt, a painstakingly executed dance routine, or any performance that captures viewers attention and cannot be easily replicated.

Best Use of Interactive Video Only the interactive components of a video will be judged. Geared toward narrative and graphical elements that include selectable plot lines, choose-your-own-adventure type stories, and puts the action squarely in the hands of the user.

Best Web Personality / Host Best performance by a male or female, human, animal, robot or animated character acting as host of any reality, documentary, variety or video blog type series or episode.

Best Writing This category considers the craft of writing for online film & video, independent of genre. Technical ability, creative execution and adherence to the standards of the craft will all be considered.

Branded Entertainment Short films, commercials and video on the Internet that promote brands, products or services for commercial purposes i.e. advertising. Branded Entertainment is the more visible evolution of sponsored content.

Comedy Content dedicated to comedy or the art of laughter premiered on the Internet.

Documentary Single, one-time documentary films (of any length) series or shows of documentary content that premiered only online.

Events & Live Broadcasts Original content promoting specific events and webcasts including concerts, fairs, festivals, sporting events, tours, or other events premiered on the Internet. Individual episodes or entire series may be entered.

Music & Entertainment Music videos created specifically for the internet and Short films, commercials and video on the Internet that promote brands, products or services for commercial purposes i.e. advertising. Branded Entertainment is the more visible evolution of sponsored content.

Public Service & Activism Original online content documenting public service issues, activism and societal concerns. Individual episodes or entire series may be entered.

Viral Video Low-budget, homemade or accidental web phenomenon premiered on the internet. These must be unpaid, non-commercial content.

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Category Definitions

If you are unsure of which category or categories to select for your entry, consult the complete category definitions below.

Community & Social Sites or apps developed specifically handheld of mobile devices creating and facilitating online community, connectedness and/or communication around shared interests. These sites or apps can target either a broad-based or niche audience. Also mobile sites or apps that facilitate the process of connecting individuals through the mobile internet. Their purpose may be business or pleasure. They may use friend-of-friend connections to form a social network or use technology to make the connection. Includes dating and matchmaking sites.

Community & Social: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically handheld of mobile devices creating and facilitating online community, connectedness and/or communication around shared interests. These sites or apps can target either a broad-based or niche audience. Also mobile sites or apps that facilitate the process of connecting individuals through the mobile internet. Their purpose may be business or pleasure. They may use friend-of-friend connections to form a social network or use technology to make the connection. Includes dating and matchmaking sites.

Education & Reference Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of educational content or reference material, such as dictionaries, thesauri or encyclopaedias.

Education & Reference: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of educational content or reference material, such as dictionaries, thesauri or encyclopaedias.

Entertainment Sites, apps or experiences developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of entertainment content, such as sports, games, news, gossip, humor and reviews. These may be offshoots of established broadcast or online news and entertainment operations.

Entertainment: Tablet Sites, apps or experiences developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of entertainment content, such as sports, games, news, gossip, humor and reviews. These may be offshoots of established broadcast or online news and entertainment operations.

Experimental and Innovation The use and/or implementation of groundbreaking mobile technology or unconventional applications of mobile technology in mobile websites, applications and environmental situations developed specifically for handheld devices. Entries in this category may be theoretical, pre-production technologies pushing the boundaries and definitions of handheld mobile device experiences.

Games Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices featuring direct online gaming for individuals or multi-player. Includes games of any type including action, sports, fantasy, skill, or logic. Branded or sponsored games, sites or apps promoting, reviewing, and providing gaming resources will not be judged in this category.

Games: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices featuring direct online gaming for individuals or multi-player. Includes games of any type including action, sports, fantasy, skill, or logic. Branded or sponsored games, sites or apps promoting, reviewing, and providing gaming resources will not be judged in this category.

Integrated Mobile Experience Integrated Mobile Experiences must include at least 2 different media types, one of which must be designed for a handheld or mobile device. Entries should highlight unique communication between the handheld or mobile device and the additional media. Other media types can include online, print, outdoor, TV, guerrilla or radio.

Integrated Mobile Experience: Tablet Integrated Mobile Experiences must include at least 2 different media types, one of which must be designed for a handheld or mobile device. Entries should highlight unique communication between the handheld or mobile device and the additional media. Other media types can include online, print, outdoor, TV, guerrilla or radio.

Lifestyle Mobile sites or Apps developed specifically for handheld devices featuring commentary, commerce and advice on lifestyle and living topics such as gardening, home improvement, interior design, architecture, and like subjects.

Lifestyle: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically for tablets and other devices featuring commentary, commerce and advice on lifestyle and living topics such as gardening, home improvement, interior design, architecture, and like subjects.

Mobile Innovation Mobile sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices that present forward thinking examples of using mobile technology in a new and creative way not yet seen.

Mobile Innovation: Tablet Mobile sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices that present forward thinking examples of using mobile technology in a new and creative way not yet seen.

News Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of recent happenings. These may be offshoots of established broadcast or other existing news operations, or developed specifically for online news.

News: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices for the distribution of recent happenings. These may be offshoots of established broadcast or other existing news operations, or developed specifically for online news.

Utilities & Services Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices allowing real world activities to be done on the go. These include apps and mobile sites to help people find edit photos, tools, weather, find jobs, locate houses, make dates, or which otherwise facilitate typically offline activities from a handheld or mobile device.

Utilities & Services: Tablet Sites or apps developed specifically for handheld or mobile devices allowing real world activities to be done on the go. These include apps and mobile sites to help people find edit photos, tools, weather, find jobs, locate houses, make dates, or which otherwise facilitate typically offline activities from a handheld or mobile device.

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