NZ Music Website In World’s Top 50 Websites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday 17th Apr 2009

NZ Music Website In World’s Top 50 Websites

Also a Finalist in upcoming One Show Interactive Awards

www.specialsurprise.co.nz, the website of New Zealand musician Luke Buda, from the band The Phoenix Foundation, has been included in the Favourite Website Award’s (FWA) top 50 websites of 2008. The website, created by Wellington interactive advertising agency Resn, was shortlisted from all 365 of the FWA’s Sites of the Day in 2008.

The Favourite Website Award (FWA) is arguably the number one award for innovative web design, with over one million visitors each month. It was named the top web award in the world in the Chicago Tribune’s ‘World Wide Web Awards Award’, beating the likes of the Webby Awards.

Rob Ford, Principal of the FWA, described Luke’s site as a case of “simplicity making for something unforgettable. The FWA showcases future thinking, progressively designed sites who use cutting edge technology, together with inspirational ideas, that lead the way for future generations.”

www.specialsurprise.co.nz is also a finalist in the prestigious One Show Interactive Awards in New York on 4 May, competing against interactive campaigns by brands including Nike, Diesel, Nokia, Burger King and Nintendo.

Luke Buda’s website now receives over 10,000 unique visitors each month, who spend an average of seven minutes engaging with the music and content. The majority of visitors come from the United States.

Luke Buda says the site’s success has gained him an international cult following. “Resn really pushed the boundaries of what I thought was possible for the website. They’re a hugely creative and thought-provoking team to work with.”

In the last 12 months four websites created by Resn have been selected as FWA ‘Sites of the Day’, including sites for 26000 Vodka and Kiwi band Minuit.

Steve Le Marquand, Creative Director of Resn, says the combination of a Top 50 and four Site of the Day awards has cemented Resn’s reputation as one of the leading interactive agencies in the world.

“Winning a FWA award four times is amazing but making it into the Top 50 is exhilarating. It shows creative New Zealanders can rub shoulders with the world’s biggest brands and advertising agencies. The fact that we have won two of our FWA awards for promoting New Zealand music is something we are really proud of!”

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