While the concept of video search may still be in its infancy (ok, the crawling-to-walking stage), that doesn’t mean it isn’t a popular service for searchers to fiddle around with.
Because user-generated online videos, or perhaps v-logging are growing in popularity, Yahoo has decided to hold an awards ceremony to celebrate the best of the web’s online video content. Yahoo will be using the services of several celebrity judges to determine the winners. In order to nominate a video for a Yammy, Yahoo suggests visiting Yahoo Search and querying the phrase “The Yammys,” which we at murdok have done for you; or you can click here submit them directly.
The celebrity judges include Jenny McCarthy, Paulie Shore, and Kelly Monaco and the categories for judgment include bloopers, pets, road trips, office humor, and a catch-all category called “I Can’t Believe It!”. Videos will be accepted from July 27 and August 17 and 5 semi-finalists from each of the 5 categories will be announced on August 30. From there, users will be allowed to vote for their favorite between the 30th and September 12. The grand prize winner will be announced on September 19.
The 25 semi-finalists all receive a new Exilim EX-S500 from Casio, the award show sponsor. The semi-finalists also receive 20 Fandango tickets and a DVD package. The grand prize winner will be awarded a red carpet premiere of their winning video in their hometown as well as a plasma TV and DVD player.
Lorna Borenstein, vice president and general manager of Yahoo! Search and Yahoo! Personals see the Yammys as a great opportunity to celebrate user-generated online video. She makes her position evident with the following statement:
The Yammy Awards will be the vehicle for recognizing the best new online videos that are increasingly making Yahoo! Video Search a rich video experience. We see so many relevant and interesting videos in Yahoo! Video Search that we created The Yammys as a way to build awareness for creative and compelling online videos.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest search news.
