The Webby Awards: Year 21 with Empire
The 29th Annual Webby Awards brought together the best of the internet for a night that was bold, funny, poignant, and unapologetically online. Produced by our team for the 21st consecutive year, the show celebrated digital culture’s biggest voices—from global stars to social advocates to viral icons. Hosted by comedian, actress, and internet favorite Ilana Glazer, the event delivered the Webbys’ signature wit, style, and renowned five-word speeches on a stage custom-designed by acclaimed creative director David Korins.
Winners included Snoop Dogg, actor Walton Goggins (The White Lotus), Questlove, British host Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date), SNL’s Marcello Hernández, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and designer Norman Teague—honored with a special award in Creative AI, presented in partnership with Adobe. Appearances from stars including Justin Theroux, Hot Ones host Sean Evans, SNL’s Kenan Thompson, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson added to the star power.
Beyond the main show, Empire oversaw every facet of the experience: a high-energy red carpet, a branded media lounge for interviews and portraits, and seamless stage production. The night wrapped with a packed afterparty at Rumi, where Questlove took over the DJ booth and kept the celebration going late into the night.
Having produced every live Webby Awards since 2005, our two-decade partnership with the Webby team is built on creativity, trust, and shared vision. After 29 years, “The Internet’s Biggest Night” shows no signs of slowing down and we are excited to collaborate with the Webby team to create something even more spectacular for the 30th Annual Webby Awards.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
