Webby Awards launches Internet Sweeps Month

Adding a digital twist to a television industry institution, The International Academy of Arts and Sciences and Nielsen//NetRatings will launch the first-ever Internet Sweeps Month in May 2002. The inaugural Internet Sweeps Month determines the winner for three new awards: Rising Star, Top U.S. Property and Top Global Property.

The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences presents the annual Webby Awards, the leading international honors for Web sites, and Nielsen//NetRatings is the global standard in Internet media and market research.

Aiming to direct both consumers and industry decision-makers to the most popular sites on the Internet, the awards are based on Nielsen//NetRatings’ Internet audience rankings. The Rising Star award recognizes the site that grows the fastest in May 2002 as compared to the first four months of the year. The Top U.S. Property and Top Global Property categories reward the big Internet players who attract the most surfers in the U.S. and globally during the month of May.

"With millions of new people coming on the Internet for the first time every day, we felt it was more important than ever to recognize the Web sites that are attracting users and setting the standard for the industry," said Tiffany Shlain, founder and CEO, The Webby Awards. "While we’ve always used qualitative design and development standards for our judging process, we’re pleased to partner with Nielsen//NetRatings to honor sites based on a quantitative benchmark known throughout the world."

"The May Internet Sweeps Month highlights what’s exciting on the Web by providing consumers with the most popular sites online," added Sean Kaldor, vice president, analytics and corporate marketing, NetRatings. "It also gives sites an incentive to develop their best content, drawing surfers in for a visit."

"The Internet Sweeps Month is the first of its kind for the Web, measuring the best and brightest the Internet has to offer," said Maya Draisin, executive director, International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. "It’s a great way to learn and discover what drives traffic online."

In its sixth year, the Webby Awards brings together tech luminaries and creative talents from all artistic media to judge and reward Internet excellence and achievement. The 2002 Webby Awards will be held in San Francisco in June.

About the Webby Awards

The Webby Awards is the leading international honor for Web sites and individual achievement in technology and creativity. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences selects the nominees, winners, and presents the awards event. For more information visit http://www.webbyawards.com. About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and evolving forms of interactive media. The Academy's goal is to assemble a brilliant panel of leading new media experts, visionaries, journalists, and luminaries to propel the Internet and Interactive Technology into the future. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 350 members such as film director Francis Ford Coppola, musician Bjork, Chairman of Talk Media Tina Brown, cyberguru Esther Dyson, creator of "The Simpsons" Matt Groening, Public Radio International Personality Ira Glass, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison. Members also include writers and editors from publications such as The New York Times, Wired, Forbes, Details, Fast Company, Elle, The Los Angeles Times, Vibe, and WallPaper. For more information, visit http://www.iadas.net.

About Nielsen//NetRatings

Through strategic partnerships between NetRatings (NASDAQ: NTRT), Nielsen Media Research and ACNielsen, the Nielsen//NetRatings Internet audience measurement service collects real-time data from individuals with access to the Internet around the world. Nielsen//NetRatings uses unique technology capable of measuring both Internet use and advertising to provide the most timely, accurate and comprehensive Internet usage data and advertising information in the global marketplace. For more information, please visit www.nielsen-netratings.com.

About NetRatings, Inc.

NetRatings, Inc. (www.netratings.com) is a leading provider of Internet audience measurement information and analysis. Its technology driven products and services enable customers to make informed businesscritical decisions regarding their Internet media and commerce strategies. NetRatings has strategic relationships with both Nielsen Media Research, the leading source of television audience measurement and related services in the U.S. and Canada, and ACNielsen, a leading provider of market research information and analysis to the consumer products and services industries.