A ninja that responds to emails, a rock band that exercises and a serial hugger are among the winners in YouTube's first Video Awards. YouTube announced the winners in the various video categories on Monday, Reuters reports.
The winners:
- Most Creative: OK Go. The Chicago band won for its video of the song "Here It Goes Again"; more than 13 million people watched the members dance on eight treadmills.
- Most Inspirational: Free Hugs. Australian Juan Mann won after setting out to hug strangers in Sydney.
- Best Series: Ask a Ninja. The brainchild of Los Angeles comedians Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine, the videos feature a black-clad ninja responding to emails in unique ninja lingo with his signature sign-off: "I look forward to killing you soon."
- Best Comedy: Smosh. Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, aka Smosh, own the second most-subscribed channel on YouTube.
- Best Music: Terranaomi. Los Angeles-based Terra Naomi won a contract with Island Records due to exposure on YouTube.
- Best Commentary: The Winekone. The Canadian performs wacky monologues on a range of topics.
- Most Adorable Video: Kiwi! Dony Permedi's short film about a flightless kiwi bird that spends his life trying to achieve his dream of flying.