"Wow!" is all I have to say. I started in a pool of 125 REALLY smart, clever, funny people that put a lot of blood sweat and tears into their work and I've now gone to "Hollywood" and moved on to the final group of 25 award winners. A few of these folks are good friends, some are folks I follow and are inspired by, all are people that a well-deserving of the Austin American-Statesman's first-ever Texas Social Media Awards. [link to article thanks to Peter Kim]
From the press announcement...
Judges for the winners were Internet Editor Robert Quigley, food writer Addie Broyles and technology culture writer Omar Gallaga. An overall Texas Social Media Award winner will be announced at an awards show and party on March 15 at Ballet Austin's downtown building (501 W. 3rd Street). The public is invited to honor and celebrate with the winners. Tickets are on sale now for the event, which will include a cocktail party and an awards show. You can buy them here: https://www.tickets.balletaustin.org/public/
- Henry "Rizo" Adaso, Houston
- Joshua Baer, Austin
- Perry Belcher, Austin
- Michael Chapman, Austin
- J.R. Cohen, Houston
- Michael Cote, Austin
- Jenn Deering Davis, Austin
- Sam Decker, Austin
- Lori Falcon, Abilene
- Kyle Flaherty, Austin
- Matt Glazer, Austin
- Lisa Goddard, Austin
- Michelle Greer, Austin
- David Guenther, Austin
- Kami Huyse, Houston
- Cali Lewis, Dallas
- David Neff, Austin
- Erica O'Grady, Houston
- Bryan Person, Austin
- Connie Reece, Austin
- Benn and Lani Rosales, Pflugerville
- David Silverman, Houston
- Aaron Strout, Austin (that's me)
- Paul Terry Walhus, Austin
- Michael Williams, Austin
FYI - The Statesman's Twitter efforts have gained national attention. The main account, @statesman, is one of the top 10 most-followed newspaper Twitter sites in the nation. The Statesman has more than 40 staff members tweeting the news.
