Former Refinery29 and Condé Nast executive Jacqueline Kavanagh has been tapped to lead the strategic direction of The Lovie Awards as Managing Director. Jacqueline outlined her vision for the Lovies and Europe’s digital industry in an opening letter released today.

Reflecting the progressive ideas shaping Europe’s Internet culture, the Lovies have introduced new Beyond categories, an open-format merit that recognises big (and small) ideas from Europe with the potential to change the world, from Art & Heritage to Connectivity to Business and Urbanism & Cities.

The 13th Annual Lovie Awards also introduced a suite of new categories, including Responsible Technology, Best Creator, Best Use of AI or Machine Learning, Shopping & E-Commerce, Best Multimedia Storytelling, Best Product Launch or Drop, Best Decentralised App, Best Editing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, honors for Newsletter Excellence, and more.

The Lovies have welcomed new voices to the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), judging body of both The Webby Awards and The Lovie Awards. New jurors are leading innovation across culture, technology and business in Europe’s digital industry, including: Anne Kim, Partner, IDEO; Ariel Wengroff, Global Marketing & Comms, Ledger; Blake Harrop, President Amsterdam, Wieden + Kennedy; Emma Clark, Director of Multimedia, Business of Fashion; Ibrahim Kamara, Co-Founder, GUAP, and more.

Digital agency Bureau for Visual Affairs (BfVA) was tapped to reimagine a new era for The Lovie Awards. Inspired by the fluidity and borderless nature of the European Internet, BfVA introduced bold colourways, typography and a new logo. “We’ve intentionally removed the packaging and noise to let the work of the entrants and the content speak for themselves, whilst maintaining the joyful expression that runs through The Lovies brand DNA,” said Simon Piehl, Founder of BfVA.