Unconfirmed Reports Indicate that Acceptance Speech Also Made Tipper Gore Chuckle Briefly
Frederick, MD, June 7, 2005 - Frederick, MD-based Enforme Interactive announced today that remarks made by company co-founder Carrie Delente at the WEBBY awards ceremony held in New York City on June 6, 2005 caused former Vice-President Al Gore to laugh out loud. The incident took place during a short acceptance speech made by Delente when she took the stage to claimed a coveted WEBBY award, which was presented to Enforme for its role in designing, building and maintaining the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) website. Called the "Oscars of the Internet," by the New York Times, WEBBYs are awarded to a select few entries each year that are carefully chosen from thousands of submissions.
"I wish I could say it was the kind of laugh where you pound the table, fall out of your chair and milk squirts out of your nose," said Delente. "But keep in mind that this is Al Gore we're talking about. Under the circumstances, I'm thrilled with the reaction I got. And whatever your political beliefs," continued Delente, "I think we can all agree that Al Gore can use a good laugh once in a while." Mr. Gore was attending the function to receive a special lifetime achievement award from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the body that elects the WEBBY winners each year.
Delente brought several versions of her acceptance speech to the podium, and decided only at the last minute which remarks to deliver. Under WEBBY rules, speeches are strictly limited to five words. "I knew I was kind of pushing the envelope when I went with 'Four words are enough,' " said Delente. "But I've always been a risk taker." Sarah Greene, Director of Publishing and New Media at NYAS, also attended the dinner and was charged with observing Al Gore during the speech. She confirmed that Delente's brief remarks drew a solid laugh from the former VP. Other sources speaking off the record reported that Gore's wife Tipper also chuckled out loud. There was no official information on the reaction of the other ceremony attendees. About Enforme Interactive
Enforme Interactive, an award-winning developer of interactive media, is best known for making dynamic scientific and medical content accessible through websites and CD ROM applications. The company, founded in 1997 by Eric and Carrie Delente, comprises a diverse team of talented graphic designers, interface designers, programmers, network and software engineers, and project managers. Enforme's offices in historic Frederick, Maryland's Glass Factory reflect the eclectic and original nature of the staff and their work. The company's clients include numerous national and international medical and scientific associations, major scientific publishing companies, government agencies and bio-technology companies.