DIGITAL PLAYGROUND
BREAKS RECORDS AT THE 2005 EMPIRE AWARDS
Digital Playground swept the 2005 Empire Awards, taking 9 trophies for contributions to DVD in 2005, more than any other production company in the shows’ six-year history. Joone’s “Pirates” was responsible for six of the awards, breaking yet another award show record. “Pirates” was named Editor’s Choice, Best Overall DVD, Best DVD Menu Design, Best DVD Video Quality, Best DVD Audio Quality and it also received the most coveted award of the year, Viewer’s Choice. The win was a landslide as “Pirates” received a record 77% of the total votes. In comparison, the runner up took 6% of the total vote. Shannon Nutt, Adult DVD Empire’s Editorial Director, explains, The voting process for this fan award is simple,” Nutt explains. “The Viewers Choice Award is the most powerful award we give – we select the nominees but our customers make the final call. They vote on the DVD they liked the best – period. “Pirates” was obviously the big favorite this year, among our voters and among fans. Anyone who’s seen the movie knows the kind of quality we’re talking about, and anyone who owns the DVD knows what kind of great package Digital Playground put together for consumers. This is the kind of adult movie that comes along once in a generation, and its six Empire Awards – a record for an adult release – reflects that sentiment.”
Digital Playground’s “Island Fever 3” was declared the Best Selling DVD of 2005 and “Virtual Sex™ with Teagan Presley” was named Best Interactive DVD. In summary of their 2005 honors, Empire named Digital Playground Best Overall DVD Studio. It is the second year in a row, and the third time in six years, Digital Playground has received this honor. All of Digital Playground’s awarded titles were directed and created by company founder, Joone, who is quite pleased. He says, “It is nice to have our work acknowledged by Empire, they are the leading e-tailer in the country. I’d like to thank everyone at Empire and especially all of the fans.”
Adult DVD Empire, the producer of the Empire Awards, is a three-time winner of AVN’s Best Retail Website and largest online retailer of adult DVDs in the world. Director of Adult Operations, Mike Barry explains the award process, “Titles are nominated and voted on by a panel of critics comprised by Empire staff and other aficionados of adult entertainment. The ‘Viewers’ Choice Award’ follows a different process; this is selected by consumers, they vote on our website and we accept one vote from each unique email address and identity.”
Digital Playground President, Samantha Lewis beams, “The 2005 Empire Awards are a wonderful reflection of our diversity and success in varying markets. I’d like to thank Adult DVD Empire, CEO Jeff Rix and all his staff for their commitment to excellence and continued support of Digital Playground. I would also like to acknowledge my partner, Joone, who has pursued the highest levels of technology and artistry with staggering results. I’m honored to have the hottest, sexiest girls in the world, Jesse Jane, Janine, Teagan Presley, Sophia Santi and Jana Cova under contract.
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In 2000, Empire named Digital Playground’s “Virtual Sex with Tera Patrick” Best Interactive DVD and “All Star” received a trophy for Best DVD Extras. In 2001, Empire presented “Island Fever” with the awards for Best Selling DVD, Best Video Quality and Best All Sex DVD. Joone’s “Virtual Sex” line also received Best Interactive DVD for the second year in a row with the Devon installment and “Forbidden Tales” earned trophies for Viewer’s Choice, Best Menu Design and Best Feature. In addition to a bevy of trophies for their specific titles, Digital Playground was named Best DVD Studio. In 2002, Digital Playground’s “Rush” set a record, taking trophies in 5 categories, including Viewer’s Choice and Best Feature DVD. Joone’s “Island Fever” was named Best Selling DVD for the second year in a row and “Virtual Sex with Janine” secured Best Interactive DVD. Empire’s 2003 Awards honored “Jesse Jane: Erotique” with both Viewer’s Choice and Best All Sex DVD. “No Limits” was named Editor’s Choice and “Virtual Sex with Jesse Jane” was named Best Interactive DVD, making it the fourth year in a row that Joone’s highly acclaimed “Virtual Sex” series took Empire’s Best Interactive DVD accolade, a close out in Empire Awards history. Last year, Digital Playground received 6 trophies for contributions to DVD, more than any other production company. “Island Fever 3” won the prestigious Viewer’s Choice, Best All Sex DVD, Best DVD Video and Best DVD Commentary awards. “Loaded” received a trophy for Best DVD Audio and Empire named Digital Playground Best Overall Studio for the second time.
