A TAD BITTER

So we survived the Digital Media Awards 2008. Alas we didn't win. The winner of Best Entertainment Website went to Phantom.ie. As they do a great job supporting new music from Ireland, we give them kudos. Kudos.
Tom was convinced we would win. I was convinced 3 would win as they were sponsoring the whole event and had two nominations in our category! But in fairness they didn't win, and thus is life.
After holding our own BalconyTV Internet Awards last year in protest at the outrageous entry fees and attendance fees for the various Irish internet award shows, we decided to give the Digital Media Awards the benefit of the doubt last night. They did after all award us Best Music Website last year when we were in our infancy, and it would hopefully be a great night out. Albeit expensive. Cough. Almost 700 squid.
But while sitting there at the beginning of the night I looked around. Was this really even enjoyable? I suddenly remembered that I felt exactly the same at Golden Spiders. The whole occasion is far more boring than needs be. Dragged out by a five course meal that is akin to a country wedding dinner. Peppered with bullshit insincere chat.
- 'Who are you here with?'
- 'Who are you here with?'
- 'Oh I really must give you my card.'
- 'Here take mine.'
- 'Oh thats really interesting. Branded emails you say.'
- 'Oh please yes, top up my wine. All the way to the top. A self induced coma sounds good.'
'5.99 Spar Special Offer. Yummy.'
The awards show, like the Golden Spiders on the face of it, promotes a funky, youthful internet industry, full of energy and vitality. But a true look at the nominees displays a turgid commercial scene devoid of ideas and vitality. And the presence of youth was sadly lacking.
How can the 'definitive industry award night' be without the likes of RTE.ie, Entertainment.ie, Ireland.com, Menupages.ie, Irishhealth.ie etc? Well its because they didn't bother paying to enter.
Shamtastic. Enough really is enough.