LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Jul 2, 2012) - Social TV Summit today announced the finalists in each of 20 categories for the first Social TV Awards. (See the finalists at www.socialtvawards.com.) Winners will be announced at a black tie gala event hosted by Access Hollywood's Billy Bush on the evening of July 17 in Los Angeles.
The finalists and winners will be honored for their use of innovation and technological expertise in the exploding Social TV industry. As leading TV networks and innovative social TV professionals, these finalists represent the best of the present, and the future, of the social TV industry.
Celebrating Social TV industry excellence, each category winner and Best of Show recipient will take home a custom made trophy known as the STEVEE! The categories honor individuals, brands, technology solution providers and networks that are pioneering in this innovative space. Among the 20 to be awarded are Social TV Marketers of the Year, Best Mobile Phone, iPad or Tablet Social TV Application, Social TV Entertainer of the Year, and Best Branded Social TV. Finalists range from major broadcast and cable networks, such as Bravo Network, USA Networks, NBC and FOX Broadcasting, to high-profile social TV entertainers, such as Andy Cohen of Bravo Network & Dule Hill of Psych Hash Tag Killer, to Pepsi, Chrysler and other brands and companies trailblazing Social TV.
The 2012 Social TV Awards finalists consist of social TV platforms, programs, solutions and promotions that were conducted in 2011 through June 15, 2012. Judging the finalists are a select group of top industry executives, including CBS Television's "The Insider" host Kevin Frazier, and leaders from Nielsen, A&E Television Networks, Warner Brothers Television, MTV Networks, AOL, among others.
"We are proud to organize such a prestigious awards show," said Andy Batkin, CEO, Social Summits, LLC. "The Social TV Awards will bring together a Who's Who of Social TV, surprise presenters and recognize excellence in the fast growing Social TV industry with a Black Tie Gala, Ceremony and dinner. We thank Billy Bush for being our Master of Ceremonies, adding to the red carpet event," concluded Batkin.
The Social TV Awards will take place the night before the Social TV Summit LA, which will take place on July 18 in Los Angeles (see www.socialtvsummit.com).
Created by Andy Batkin, the Social TV Summit LA focuses on technology that allows viewers to interact, socialize, search, share and purchase video content, whether viewed on the "big screen," laptops, tablets, mobile or out-of-home.
Following successful, sold-out summits in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City, Social TV Summit travels again to Los Angeles for a day of high-profile speakers, workshops and networking in the Social TV industry. Batkin, recognized as one of the founders of the interactive industry, has more than 30 years of experience in creating innovative integrated marketing, digital media, social media and promotional campaigns for Fortune 500 and entertainment companies. Batkin and his consulting practice developed the business model for Yahoo! and served as its media representative for the first two years, building more than 1,700 sales relationships for the company.
For more information about the Social TV Awards and to see the full list of finalists, please visit www.socialtvawards.com. For more details about the Social TV Summit, please visit www.socialtvsummit.com.