Best Websites in 96 Industries Announced By Web Marketing Association

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 17th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. More than 1,500 entries from 40 countries were adjudicated in 96 industry categories during this year's competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130318/NY78200LOGO) 

A complete list of the winning sites can be found at the WebAward Web site at www.webaward.org.

"As the need of online consumers evolve, so does their expectation for a company's website," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. "Companies and other organizations must engage audiences online and websites have evolved into a critical business tool. Each year the WebAwards receives amazing entries from around the world that show impressive creativity and functionality. Winning a WebAward is a great way to demonstrate the effectiveness of your Web development efforts. We congratulate all of our winners for developing websites that deliver for their audiences."

Best of Show

The 2013 Best of Show WebAward is presented to BETC Paris for their exceptional work on Peugeot RCZ Test Driver. The site was also recognized as Best Automobile Website. 

This engaging website is the second part of the launch of Peugeot's new sports car RCZ. One of the scientists wants to take the RCZ for a midnight test drive. He gets chased through the streets by security guards and it is up to the user to configure the car so he can hide and escape. To get the full experience, connect with your smart phone and control the experience remotely. The driver will text you when he needs help and you can change the look of the car with your phone to help him get away.

Top Agency

Risdall Marketing Group was named Top Agency at the 2013 WebAward Competition, taking home 37 WebAwards. This is the second time Risdall has won the Top Agency WebAward. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms. An independently owned, full-service advertising agency, Risdall Marketing Group is located in New Brighton, Minnesota, outside Minneapolis and  is one of the largest, longest-lived independent ad agencies in the United States. It was recognized in the 2013 WebAwards with Best Manufacturing Website, Best Portal Website, Best Science Website, 7 Outstanding Website WebAwards and 27 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.

19 agencies or companies were also recognized as Outstanding Website Developer for winning six or more WebAwards in 2013. They include:

AGENCY (Number of Awards)
Biggs|Gilmore 24
TravelClick 24
SapientNitro 15
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 15
BGT Partners 15
TMP Worldwide 15
CareTech Solutions 11
Cuker Interactive 10
Webmonster.com 9
Nebo 9
Positioner SA 8
4SPOTS 7
Atlantic BT 7
Roundarch Isobar 7
TopSpot Internet Marketing 6
RED Interactive Agency 6
Miles 6
Red Clay Interactive 6
HeBS Digital 6

Competition format

The competition was judged by a team of independent Internet professionals representing a variety of relevant disciplines of Web site development. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers and webmasters.

The WebAward competition format allows Web sites to compete head to head with other sites within their industry to win the Best of Industry award. Entries also compete against a standard of excellence to win Outstanding Website and Standard of Excellence WebAwards. Each site is judged on seven different criteria and earns a score between 0 and 70 points. The highest score in a given category wins Best of Industry for that category. If the remaining entries receive a score of 60 or greater, they receive the Outstanding Web site award. Entries that score higher than their industry average and below 59.9 receive the Standard of Excellence.   

The 2013 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: ExactTarget, Burst Media, PR Newswire, BGT Partners, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, EContent Magazine, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

About the Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of Website development and marketing on the Internet. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association's annual WebAward, Internet Advertising Competition and MobileWebAward award programs  have been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 17th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.

SOURCE Web Marketing Association