America Supports You: Military Family Web Site Up for 'Internet Oscar'

American Forces Press Service

April 14, 2008 - A prominent online community for military families is a finalist in the 12th Annual Webby Awards. The Webby Awards, hailed by the New York Times as the "Oscars of the Internet," selected CinCHouse.com to compete for the title of Best Lifestyle site of 2008.

The recognition caps a comprehensive effort to improve the site's content and quality, said Regina Galvin, CinCHouse.com editor in chief. It's also a chance to bring greater awareness to issues affecting military families.

"To be showcased alongside such mainstream sites really increases our exposure to the general public," Galvin said. "Despite seven years of war putting military issues into the mainstream media, there continues to be misconceptions of who military wives and women in uniform really are."

CinCHouse.com was one of nearly 10,000 sites nominated from all 50 states and more than 60 countries. It was selected as one of five finalists in the Lifestyles category, pitting it against giants such as Epicurious.com and Reebok.

"That a nonprofit site started by a military wife, edited by a military wife and largely maintained by military wives is going up against corporate titans for such a competitive award gives us great pride," Galvin said. "It's a testament to our determination to give voice to the military community."

The Webby Awards program is the leading international awards program honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile Web sites. The awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy whose members include Internet co-inventor Vinton Cerf, R/GA's Chief Bob Greenberg, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening, Arianna Huffington and Harvey Weinstein.

"The Webby Awards honor the outstanding Web sites that are setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "CinCHouse.com's Webby Award nomination is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."

Founded in 1996, the Webby Awards are known for having a five-word speech limit. Past headline-grabbing speechmakers include Al Gore ("Please don't recount this vote."), Beastie Boys ("Can anyone fix my computer?"), and Prince ("Everything you think is true.")

From now through May 1, online fans around the world can cast their own votes for CinCHouse.com in The Webby People's Voice Awards presented by Nokia at pv.webbyawards.com. Winners will be announced May 6 and will be honored at a star-studded gala in New York on June 10.

CinCHouse.com and its parent organization Operation Homefront are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

(From an Operation Homefront news release.)