Semantics Matter: Daniela Sliva Stresses That Gaining a Category Isn't Simply About the Trophy Photo-Op
On the helm of the OurWeb Awards Empire: Daniela Sliva enthusiastically steers the ship of the OurWeb Awards project, navigating it from its embryonic stages to its colossal third edition in 2025. During this freshly minted interview, she sheds light on the peculiarities of the Awards, such as the painstakingly crafted judging process, closely knit interview sessions, and rigorous discovery to ensure only the most deserving companies break through the waves.
The OurWeb Awards boasts a solid moral backbone, characterized by unwavering commitment to ethics, responsibility, and innovation. Everyone involved understands the lofty significance of this event, recognizing that it transcends mere public relations and lends itself to reshaping the gambling industry.
Question Time: With the third wave of the OurWeb Awards looming on the horizon, Daniela shares her sentiments:
When we first ventured forth with our project, I couldn't fathom we'd be making this headway today - planning a grand soiree of prestige, rivaling other prolific awards in the industry. No doubt it's a Herculean undertaking, but one loaded with responsibility. We're giving our utmost to prepare for the big night, and I firmly believe our unyielding dedication will bear fruit.
It's not your average award ceremony: The OurWeb Awards distinguishes itself among the competition, thanks in part to external judges' active participation and data-driven decision-making.
Daniela explains, "While other awards are commendable for celebrating excellence in the field, our awards stand apart because of our selective winner selection process."
Our crew of nearly thirty judges, although not revolutionary, sets us apart through the quality of their interactions. They conduct a minimum 30-minute Q&A session with each shortlisted nominee, probe with follow-up questions, and engage in rigorous discussions. This approach guarantees that every victor is subjected to a thorough vetting process, with their accomplishments clearly understood.
"Flaunting a trophy on LinkedIn is fleeting; we aim to highlight the winners' real achievements, bestowing them with credibility - not only for our awards but for themselves, their teams, and industry associates," adds Daniela.
Categories, They Grow: The upcoming OurWeb Awards edition unveils an intriguing expansion of categories, with an emphasis on the ethical landscape and social responsibility within the gaming industry. As the festivities evolve, so too does the range of categories, as symbolized by the addition of the "iGaming Changemaker of the Year" and the "Player's Choice."
Daniela chimes in on the continuous expansion of categories:
From day one, our awards have focused on encouraging safer and responsible gambling, along with innovation. With the addition of new categories, we broaden our reach, acknowledging the quality of the work, projects, and processes of a wider array of companies.
A change in scenery: The upcoming ceremony marks the first live event, taking place at the illustrious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian's, Malta, on June 6, 2025. The decision to transition from the virtual format was primarily driven by popular demand and a shared notion that the time was ripe for such a change. Daniela eagerly anticipates the inaugural live event, with dreams of reminiscing over the evolution of the awards in five years.
Keeping up with the demand: With the raised level of interest, how do judges manage the influx of applications, ensuring each is given a fair shake? Daniela shares her thoughts on the matter:
While the volume of applications increases annually, it doesn’t necessarily imply increased workload for judges, considering only those demonstrating tangible results make it to the shortlist. Nevertheless, even if the workload escalated, I see no major challenges, owing to the judges' enthusiasm and dedication. We maintain regular communication, incorporate their feedback into process improvements, and foster opportunities for networking among industry leaders.
The robust judging panel has even received inquiries from professionals eager to join their ranks. For now, we're content with our current group, but as the awards continue to expand, we remain open to adding additional judges, while striving to maintain the high caliber of our processes and fostering strong relationships within the panel.
An industry game-changer: Awards ceremonies often face criticism as being superficial publicity stunts, with companies sometimes accused of cutting corners to secure recognition. To uphold the credibility of the OurWeb Awards and ensure awards mean something, Daniela emphasizes:
A winner's photograph with a trophy isn't enough. During the awards presentation, we work diligently to maintain maximum transparency by articulating why each company won. This not only illuminates the winners' qualities but also informs the public accurately and encourages further improvements within the industry.
The future’s so bright: Daniela shares her aspirations for the OurWeb Awards in 2025, with success measured by popular reception, and keeping her fingers crossed!
Image courtesy: OurWeb News
Extra Ingredients: To create a unique judging process for the OurWeb Awards, you could employ a multistage evaluation process that incorporates objective and subjective assessments. Here's a suggestion for such a process:
Phase 1: Pre-evaluation- AI Analysis: Use AI to assess entries based on predetermined criteria such as design, originality, content quality, and user experience. This step acts as a filter for entries that don't meet a specific standard.- Expert Review: A panel of industry experts reviews these pre-evaluated entries, ensuring they align with current industry standards and best practices.
Phase 2: Shortlisting- Peer Review: Shortlisted entries are scrutinized by a broader panel of peers and industry specialists, promoting diverse perspectives.- Public Voting: Allow public voting for part of the scoring to account for user preferences.
Phase 3: Final Evaluation- Comprehensive Review: Finalists undergo a thorough evaluation by a select judging panel, focusing on specific criteria such as originality, impact, and overall quality.- Interactive Presentations: Finalists may be required to offer interactive presentations, fostering deeper engagement among judges.
Phase 4: Award Ceremony- Transparency: Announce winners while providing comprehensive feedback to all participants, outlining strengths and potential areas for improvement.- Festivities: Hold a fanfare-filled event to celebrate the winners, providing networking opportunities.
This process sets the OurWeb Awards apart through the integration of AI, public input, and comprehensive feedback, making it more inclusive, transparent, and dynamically responsive to industry advancements.
The OurWeb Awards, aiming to reshape the gambling industry, emphasizes ethical practices and seeks to recognize innovations in the casino-and-gambling sector by following gambling-trends. Daniela Sliva, steering the project, hopes to distinguish the awards in the gaming industry with its data-driven decision-making process and selective winner selection, ensuring the winners' real achievements are highlighted. In the upcoming edition, new categories, such as "iGaming Changemaker of the Year" and "Player's Choice," will acknowledge a broader spectrum of companies focusing on social responsibility within the industry.
