WebProNews

The winners of the first ever YouTube Video Awards have been announced, and ninjas and treadmill-hopping pop stars, among others, ruled the day.  Almost as interesting is the amount of attention the awards have gotten in the mainstream media.

MSNBC, ABC, and FOX.  Newsday, the Chicago Sun Times, and the New York Times.  Even sources in Australia, Britain, and Italy have reported on the outcome.  If anyone still had doubts about how well-known Google’s pet project has become, let those lists erase their misgivings.

On to the winners, then.  OK Go won for “Most Creative” - you can click here to watch the musicians do their thing on some exercise equipment.  “Smosh Short 2: Stranded,” which was awarded the title of “Best Comedy,” provides a humorous update to the “this is your brain on drugs” line of thinking.

“Hotness Prevails” (which features a half-naked fellow, and is completely work-safe) nabbed the “Best Commentary” award; honors for “Best Series” go to the “Ask a Ninja” string of videos; the "Free Hugs Campaign" was dubbed "Most Inspirational."  And a straightforward clip from Terra Naomi titled “Say It’s Possible” was labeled “Best Music Video.”

“Kiwi!” gives viewers a lot more to look at compared to Naomi’s creation - as well it should, considering its creator, Dony Permedi, used “Kiwi!” as his master’s thesis animation.  YouTube rewarded his work with the award for “Most Adorable.”

All in all, the group of winners is more than a little eclectic.  But if you don’t like ‘em, you have only yourself - and every other YouTube user - to blame.  “After five days of fervent ranking, the YouTube community selected these seven videos as the champions,” the official announcement reported.  “Congratulations to all the winners.”