Nominees Announced April 2nd
Honoring the Best
of the Internet
The 20th Annual Webby Awards January 20, 2016

Interview with Wade Convay, Creative Lead, Google Brand Studio

Why the Internet can't be stopped in 5 words: Imagine a world without it.

Google (you’ve heard of it) has recorded a towering 111 Webby Wins and Nominations since they first entered in 2000. Which in itself is like looking at the history of the Internet in a nutshell. For instance, remember Blogger, Google’s Web blogging tool from 2000? Well, it’s still around though now as a part of Google+. While they are most famous for their eponymous search engine, Google changed its name last year to the encompassing and official-sounding title, Alphabet. Also included in the Alphabet family of companies are YouTube, Nest and Calico.

For our 20th Annual Webby Awards, Google was among the companies we petitioned to create a poster to encapsulate our theme for the year: “The Internet can’t be stopped”. Using emoji-like icons, Google created a pyramid which from the bottom up, depicts how (eventually) the Internet satisfies all of one’s conscionable needs. Beginning with mental and physical health and up through virtual reality, their poster is a visual representation of how we approach the digital world: First through physiological means such as food and a good wifi connection; up through security; self-congratulation through social media; publicity and persona-molding via messaging and self-documentation (selfies); then, finally, through an out-of-body experience in VR. Google knows the Internet can’t be stopped. And vis a vis their poster for the 20th Annual Webby Awards, they propose that we engage with it on a deliberate and routine basis.

Google has seen and shaped the growth and use of the Internet, becoming synonymous with our everyday, digital world. We spoke with Wade Convay, Creative Lead at Google Brand Studio to further unpack their thoughts on the future of the Internet and why it can’t be stopped.

play

Google Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin
at the 16th Annual Webbys

Tell us about your depiction of “The Internet Can’t Be Stopped”

When we were thinking about the theme for this year’s call for entries we couldn’t stop coming back to the pervasive, all consuming effect the internet has on all of us – we make sure we have a connection and full battery before we think about what to eat for breakfast. From there we made a short leap to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and had some fun imagining a future where the internet delivered on all our needs.

 

What’s the best thing to happen to the Internet in the past 20 years?

It has become a business, generated opportunities, provided equality, which have enabled it to grow and be more accessible.

 

What are you most excited for in the next 20 years of the Internet?

Where it will go from here. If the internet evolves as fast as it has over the last 20 years it’s exciting to think about the impact it will have once everyone has access.

 

play

Watch Think with Google's
5-Word Speech at the 18th Annual Webbys

Your team has helped shape the last 20 years of the Webbys. What are you working on now and how are you using technology to connect?

We are continuing to work on experiences that delight and entertain – our team in Europe recently helped launch a VR experience for the performing arts allowing people see some of the world’s greatest performers come to life.

Tell Us in 5 words why the Internet can’t be stopped.

Imagine a world without it.

For the Call for Entries for our 20th Webby Awards, we have partnered with 20 Webby Winners – who throughout the past 20 years have shaped not only The Webby Awards, but the Internet itself. Read more about our 20th Webbys collaboration here.

Don’t forget you can watch all the highlights from the 20th Annual Webby Awards now!

Drag