As excitement builds for this year's Mashable Awards, we thought it fitting to take a look back at last year's winners.
The worlds of social media and technology move so fast. Companies and products can fall out of favor in a matter of months. Not so, for many of last year's Mashable Award winners. Here we highlight seven category champions still going strong.
Let us know in the comments whom you expect to be picking up the honors this year.
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How To Nominate
Nominating your favorite digital startups, companies and personalities for a Mashable Award is easy. As in years past, Mashable has created a unique and social voting platform. Submitting your nomination requires four easy steps:
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You may nominate once per day in each category. If there are multiple entries for your nomination, for example, 'Mashable' and 'mashable,' don't fret! The categories will be combined at the end of the nomination process.
Promote Your Nomination
If you are a company or individual up for nomination (you can nominate yourself -- go ahead, we won't tell!), you can help spread the word by including a nomination button on your blog, Fan Page or website.
Just go to the Promote page, and use the code generator to create a promotional badge. Simply select the category from the drop down menu, enter the desired nominee in the box and click 'Generate.'
The generator will create code for eight different badge styles. You can create and use as many as you want!
Awards Timeline
The nomination period for the 2011 Mashable Awards will run until 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 18. Nominations will then be counted and tabulated in accordance with the official rules, and Mashable's editors will select seven finalists for each category from among the most nominated submissions. Your nominations will greatly influence the editorial selection of the finalists.
Finalists will be announced on Monday, Nov. 21, which will also kick off the public voting period.
Remember, you may nominate once per day in each category.
The Categories
Social Media
Best Social Network
Up-and-Coming Social Media Service
Must-Follow Actor or Actress on Social Media
Must-Follow Musician or Band on Social Media
Must-Follow Athlete on Social Media
Must-Follow Media Personality on Social Media
Must-Follow Business Personality on Social Media
Must-Follow Non-Profit on Social Media
Must-Follow Politician on Social Media
Tech
Best Smartphone
Best Mobile Game
Most Useful Mobile App
Most Innovative Mobile App
Most Useful Tablet-Based App
Best New Gadget
Business
Viral Campaign of the Year
Most Innovative Use of Social Media for Marketing
Must-Follow Brand on Social Media
Best Branded Mobile App
Best Social Good Cause Campaign
Most Digital Company of the Year
Breakout Startup of the Year
Entertainment
Game of the Year
Viral Video of the Year
Best Music Service or App
Best Online Video Streaming Service or App
Most Social TV Show
Best Social Movie Campaign
The Winners
Award winners will be announced on Mashable on Monday, Dec. 19. Following the competition, we'll celebrate our winners at MashBash CES on Jan. 11, 2012, at the 2012 International CES convention at 1OAK, the hot new nightclub at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
The 2011 Mashable Awards Are Presented by Buddy Media
