Hannibal Buress to Host 19th Annual WEBBY AWARDS, 5/18

The Webby Awards announced today that critically acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Hannibal Buress will host the 19th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, May 18, 2015.

As tradition dictates, Buress will open the show and enforce the trademark Webby five-word acceptance speech rule. Notable speeches from past shows include street artist Banksy's "Somebody painted over it," Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti of Trigger Street Productions "The Oscars should do this," and the inventor of the GIF file format Steve Wilhite's declaration "It's pronounced 'JIF' not 'GIF.'"

Fans around the world will be able to watch and share The Webby Awards ceremony on demand at WebbyAwards.com the morning of Tuesday, May 19. The Webby Awards channel will launch with all the show highlights, including the all Webby 5-Word Speeches, special performances as well as the show in its entirety.

"The Internet is a huge fan of Hannibal's - he isn't someone who just gets Internet culture - he is literally helping to shape it every day," said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. "We are excited to have him bring his funny and brilliant corner of the Web to life at this year's Show."

A first-time Webby Awards host, Buress is a wildly popular comedian, writer and actor who is a favorite of fans and critics on big and small screens alike. With his first national theatre standup comedy tour sold out, and The New York Times lauding him as one of the most "supremely gifted and respected" comics around, Hannibal is emerging as a comedy superstar. This summer, he'll star in his own weekly TV series "Why? With Hannibal Buress" on Comedy Central. He is a cast member on the network's hit series "Broad City," as well as the co-host of Adult Swim's "The Eric Andre Show." Buress has written for NBC's Saturday Night Live as well as 30 Rock. He just finished shooting the comedy feature "Daddy's Home" alongside Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and appeared as a roaster on "The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber."

About The Webby Awards:

Hailed by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Advertising & Media, Online Film & Video, Mobile Sites & Apps, and Social. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Grey Goose, Vitamin T, Shocase, Engine Yard, Funny or Die, AdAge, Mashable, Gigya, Internet Week New York, Deloitte, Code and Theory, Happy Fun Corp, net magazine, VentureBeat, GeekWire, Techweek, Protein, 99u, FITC, SoDA, Tech Cocktail, Digital Content Next, Internetworld, The Drum, Dailymotion, and CoolHunting.

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