Two More Awards for RI.gov Makes 2010 a Record-Setting Year

Two award recognitions in the third quarter of 2010 helped RI.gov set an all-time record for www.RI.gov. RI.gov received two prestigious recognitions, the Web Marketing Association’s WebAward for site excellence, and acceptance by Harvard University’s Ash Center into the Bright Ideas program for the State Department of Business Regulation’s Online Liquor Compliancy Service.

"We’re delighted with the recognition RI.gov has received in 2010. Our design approach this year was to get back to basics and truly listen to the needs of our visitors. I’m proud of the results, and these awards are a great validation of our work,” said RI.gov’s Creative Design Director, Danny Chapman.

The Web Marketing Association’s WebAward competition was judged by a team of independent Internet professionals representing a variety of relevant disciplines of Web site development. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers, and webmasters.

Harvard University’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government selected 173 government programs chosen for its newly created Bright Ideas program. In its inaugural year, Bright Ideas is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives around the country with interested public sector, nonprofit, and academic communities.

These awards mark the fifth and sixth honors this year for RI.gov, the official Web site of the state of Rhode Island. This marks the most awards ever received by the portal in one year. In 2010, RI.gov has also received the Center for Digital Government’s Best of the Web Finalist, Interactive Media Awards Outstanding Achievement, a Silver Communicator Award, and Juggle.com’s Top Government Web Site Award.

About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence and innovation in governance and public policy through research, education, and public discussion. Three major programs support our mission: the Program on Democratic Governance; the Innovations in Government Program; and the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia. For more information, visit www.ash.harvard.edu.

About the Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of Website development and marketing on the Internet. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association's annual WebAward Competition has been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 14th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.

About RI.gov & Rhode Island Interactive

RI.gov (http://www.RI.gov) is Rhode Island's homepage and official Web site, a collaborative effort between the state of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Interactive. The RI.gov Web site and online services are developed and maintained by Rhode Island Interactive, a Providence-based part of eGovernment firm NIC’s (NASDAQ: EGOV) family of companies. In addition to offering paper-saving online services, RI.gov is committed to using 100% green electricity and recycled paper for all internal printing and copying.

About NIC

NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation's leading provider of official government portals, online services, and secure payment-processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies that serve 98 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com.