This is the first time I'm ever voting on any industry awards. I am so busy with so many different companies and initiatives that I don't get a TON of time like years past to be here, so here it is!
Since I only get to vote once, if you can't have my vote, you can have my heart, and that will have to do.
Here's my list of WHO I voted for and WHY!!!!!
Webmaster of the Year
Brass Monkey
Brassmonkey is the real deal Holyfield. He's been around for ever and has changed with the times. There are a lot of non webmasters on this list, but he has a business and has kept it running over a long period of time. Like his views or not, he's a legit webmaster in a very tough time to be a webmaster.
GFY Business Person of the Year
JT
I think this goes without saying. The guy has had a plan since they ran YouPorn. He's navigated the space and made it his. You can't hate on that. Regardless if you don't like the free porn/tube thing, as I did not for a long time, you have to admire that he fought upstream to do all that he's accomplished. Business isn't a contest to be liked the most. Business is about making money. People will naturally gravitate to attacks when that happens, including me. I condemned tubes and .XXX just like everyone else. Both are here to stay in some form or fashion for at least the extended future. The smart people have accepted that and have leveraged it their way. You should too. Congrats to JT.
GFY Troll of the Year
Damian J
I don't think this one needs any explanation.
GFY Newbie of the Year
paper_louis
I like these guys. I like their content. I like the spot they've carved out for themselves in the industry. I pulled Amar aside at one of the Phoenix shows to tell them just this. They are growing in a time when it's very tough for pay sites. Congrats guys.
Best Affiliate Program
Affil4You
With this really being the year that mobile has demanded it's own right of considerations by sheer traffic volume over the last 18-24 months, one company is ALWAYS in my face no matter where I go online. Affil4You. They are the big dog in the mobile/carrier space and I am looking forward to watching them continue to grow in mobile over the coming years. Congrats.
Best Content Producer
JustDaveXXX
JustDaveXXX is not only a great producer and businessman, but he's a great person. Although I cannot say that it's hard to find good people in the adult space, as MOST everyone are more than nicer than most mainstream people, Dave will go out of his way to help you, ANYTIME! He runs a great business, and he has produced a giant chunk of content for the biggest adult brands out there. Congrats!
Best Content Provider
Adult Centro
Another one that doesn't need much accolades. AC does a fantastic job at branding and positioning and repositioning their brands in the space. They have a great staff, and great technology to back it all up. Not much more needs to be said here. Congrats AC!
Best Content Partnership Program
Pornhub.com
The best content partnership program BY FAR. They have a massive, knowledgeable, polite staff who do not drop the ball on anything. Very easy to work with Pornhub. Congrats!
Best Company Rep On GFY
VividCash Steve
Come on you know I was gonna vote for my man Steve! Steve's one of the nicest guys in the business, and he is very good at catching scammers and people who want to do your business harm. He's very well liked, and exactly the person you want to represent your brand in public. Congrats Wally!
Best Advertising Network
Crak Media
As mentioned before, not really much to repeat here. These guys have taken B2B and B2C marketing and advertising to a whole new level and they have the industry backing in mainstream and adult to prove it. As a brand professional, what they've done to plant themselves in the mind of the entire industry in mainstream and adult is pretty impressive. Kudos where due.
Best Adult CPA Network
Advidi
Advidi is the brain child of non other than Mike Dutch. Many times you see the guys who run the businesses go on to start other businesses and fail. Not this time. Advidi saw an opportunity in the space and seized it. They solved a need that wasn't fulfilled and capitalized on it. That is business. Well done.
Best Billing Company
CCBILL
When looking at billers you have to look at the ENTIRE history of the biller and what they represent to the industry as a whole. Not only is CCBILL one of the original pioneers of adult billing, but they also operate THE most popular and industry loved, as a whole trade shows every year, The Phoenix Forum. They've changed and adapted with the rest of the industry over the last 14 years as good as anyone. The staff are great, and the owner is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Congrats!
Most Popular GFY Member
Juicy D. Links
Again, there isn't anyone on GFY for over 10 years that is more well known that JDL. He's the luggage, old shoes, and the skeletons in GFY's closet. You can't get rid of him. He's like HPV. If you want to be offended and loved at the same time, JDL is your man. He's not only GFY's King he's one of my closest friends. Congrats buddy.
Innovative Company of The Year
Badoink
I've said this before during other voting for awards at Xbiz. Badoink has really come out and changed some things over the last few years. I love seeing people who are tired of the same old break the damn box apart and do something different and take a chance. They are great product people, and they're good at what they do. Congrats.
Best Mobile Company
Affil4You/Wister
Again, no need to polish their helmets anymore. They're great, and we all know it. Congrats.
Best New Paysite
Life Selector
If you go by PURE design, application, positioning, and UI/UX, Life Selector is a very cool, fun, different, and dynamic product. Very cool guys. Definitely not phoned in.
Best Overall Company
Crak Media
Same as with Affil4You; no need to keep blowing up the same bullet points on why they do a good job. If you step back and look at total packages, Crak Media has made great moves, they have a great team, and they are very positive about things. Passion and knowledge in any given subject area gives you an incredible competitive advantage and people want to work with you. Congrats.
Best Designer
Zuzana Designs
And last but not least, a LADY in the crowd.
Zuzana has been doing design and front end website work for as long as I can remember. She did a great job with turning her little company into an industry recognized design destination. She's a great person, her ethics are high, and she really loves what she does. Congrats!
That's all I got folks. With as busy as I have been over the last few years, I haven't gotten the time to acknowledge some of the things that I've seen going on in the space, so there it is!
See all you suckas in Vegas!!!!
Eric