INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 15, 2008 – The original online series “USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team,” a joint initiative between USA Gymnastics and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), has won three awards for its unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the nation’s top gymnasts as they prepared to represent the United States on the world stage in 2008. The 25-episode series, available exclusively on the AT&T blue room site (www.attblueroom.com/teamusa), was honored by the W³ Awards, the Horizon Interactive Awards and the Communicator Awards.
“We are very proud that ‘Behind the Team’ was honored with these three awards,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The USA’s top gymnasts followed a long but exciting journey to the 2008 Olympic Games, and ‘Behind the Team’ captured every incredible moment. The series gave fans and the general public the opportunity to get to know the country’s best gymnasts as they pursued their dreams of Olympic glory.”
“These awards illustrate the high consumer demand for Olympic sports content,” said Jason Simpson, director of Olympic integration, AT&T. “‘Behind the Team’ offered fans exclusive footage that connected them with the USA’s top gymnasts in the months leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games.”
The awards “Behind the Team” received are listed below.
- The silver W³ Awards winner for Web video (medium) and reality (category). The W³ Awards honor creative excellence on the Internet and recognize the creative and marketing professionals behind award-winning Web sites, videos and marketing programs. The W³ Awards are sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from top media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms.
- The gold award in the video-documentary/short film category of the Horizon Interactive Awards. The Horizon Interactive Awards is a prestigious international competition recognizing outstanding achievement among interactive media producers. It showcases the best Web site design, CD-ROMs, DVDs, videos, kiosks, video games and other interactive media.
- A silver Communicator Award from the IAVA. The Communicator Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals. The 2008 Communicator Awards received more than 8,500 entries from ad agencies, interactive firms, designers, and public relations agencies.
“Behind the Team” debuted in May 2007 and followed U.S. gymnasts during the 15 months prior to the Olympic Games.
AT&T U-verseSM TV customers can watch episodes of “USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team” through the U-verse TV Video On Demand library. The online series is also still available at attblueroom.com/teamusa.
The AT&T blue room Team USA site provided sports fans intimate access to U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls across a range of sports. AT&T is an official sponsor of USA Gymnastics.