- Over 12,500 entries from 70+ countries highlight global participation
- Podcast heavyweights compete including Kelce brothers and SmartLess trio
- Brands like Nutter Butter leverage TikTok virality for nominations
The 28th Annual Webby Awards showcase digital culture’s explosive growth, with unexpected contenders like Nutter Butter’s abstract TikTok campaign challenging entertainment titans. Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Usfaces Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga in music categories, while 56-year-old cookie packaging visuals demonstrate how nostalgia fuels modern virality.
New York City emerges as a creative hub through case studies like Cynthia Erivo’s Celebrity Substituteepisode at PS 161. The Tony winner’s storytelling workshop with Bronx students reflects growing emphasis on community-driven content, paralleling Duolingo’s horror-commercial parody trend.
Podcast wars intensify as Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heightsdefends its 2023 win against Kevin Hart’s comedy specials and Oprah’s dual nominated shows. Industry analysts note a 17% year-over-year increase in branded entertainment entries, with Uber Eats’ McConaughey-led Super Bowl spot leading commercial categories.
Voting patterns reveal Generation Alpha’s influence through nominations like Skibidi Toilet’s chaotic multiverse. With 42% of People’s Voice nominees featuring interactive elements, the awards spotlight TikTok’s dominance in shaping 2024’s digital storytelling landscape.
Winners will be announced April 22 ahead of May’s Ilana Glazer-hosted ceremony. Media giants NBCUniversal and MTV Entertainment lead studio nominations, though indie creators dominate viral video categories – proof that meme culture now drives mainstream recognition.
