Sep 24, 2013 4:15 PM PDT    Text size: 

LONDON — The first-ever XBIZ Executive Awards was held Tuesday night in London at XBIZ EU. (photo gallery)

With glitz, glamour and champagne flowing, the inaugural awards ceremony was held as the culminating event at the annual digital media conference at the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Hotel in central London.

XBIZ President Alec Helmy and Kristen Kaye, XBIZ’s business development director, opened the awards program at the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Hotel, telling attendees that the honors to recipients recognize exceptional decision-makers on a multitude of factors such as overall leadership ability, business acumen, market experience and industry standing, as well as the volume of nominations received from the community.

XBIZ.net members had the opportunity to nominate their peers and role models who have played integral roles in the creation and success of the online adult industry's leading brands.

The winners and respective companies of the 2013 XBIZ Executive Awards included:

Business Development Executive of the Year: Douglas Richter, AWEmpire

Brand Ambassador of the Year: Karen Campbell, Orbital Pay

Marketing Executive of the Year: Carole Horwood, PussyCash

Senior Leadership Award: Melissa Campos, ATKingdom

Progressive Leadership: Tim Henning, ASACP

Tech Executive of the Year: Jan Huibers, EroAdvertising

Community Figure of the Year: Jeff Dillon, GameLink

Chief Executive of the Year: JT, ReallyUsefulCash

Businesswoman of the Year: Julia Dimambro, Cherry Media

Businessman of the Year: Harmik Gharapetian, Epoch

Campbell, one of the recipients, said she was thankful to receive one of the crystal trophies.

“I am very honored to receive this award, and I thank XBIZ for such a wonderful event here in London,” she said.

Campos, another recipient, said she too was grateful.

“I certainly didn’t expect it; however, I am so pleased,” she said. “XBIZ EU has been a wonderful show.”