Internet users vote app the world’s best

HORT INNOVATION announced today that the Plant Life Balance augmented reality app has been named the Best Lifestyle Mobile Site and App, and Peoples’ Voice winner, in the 22nd annual Webby Awards.

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honour” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards,
presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading
international awards honouring excellence on the Internet.

Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd said The Webby Awards received more than
13,000 entries from 70 countries worldwide this year, and 3M votes were cast from Internet
fans from around the world, so the two wins were a boon for the industry.

“It is fantastic to see an app that was developed using nursery industry levies, in partnership
with Australia’s plant growers, up there receiving the world’s highest internet award alongside the likes of Netflix, Instagram, Lady Gaga and NASA,” he said.

The innovative Plant Life Balance app allows users to upload a photograph of their space to
give it a health rating. If the score is low, they can use the app to drag and drop plants over
the photo to see how a number of plants can improve their health, wellness and air quality.

“No-one knows more about plant varieties than nurseries,” Mr Lloyd said.

“So, we have combined that industry’s knowledge with research to make various plant and species recommendations for different sized rooms with varying light levels.

“And the great news is, this is all available in the free, now award-winning, Plant Life Balance
smartphone app released in October last year.”

IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of digital
industry experts, including Lyft CEO Logan Green; Girls Who Code Founder Reshma
Saujani; Gimlet Media CEO Alex Blumberg; Instagram’s Eva Chen; CNN host Van Jones;
Internet inventor Vint Cerf, and Playmatics CEO Margaret Wallace.

The Webby Awards executive director Claire Graves said: “Plant Life Balance has set the
standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet. This award is a testament to the skill,
ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

The Plant Life Balance team will be honoured at the star-studded Webby Awards ceremony
on Monday, May 14, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where winners will have an
opportunity to deliver one of The Webby Awards’ famous 5-Word Speeches.

The app was funded by Hort Innovation using nursery industry levies and contributions from
the Australian Government and developed with research from the RMIT University and the
University of Melbourne.

The app platform was created by The Republic of Everyone and The Bravery, in consultation with the nursery industry. The app was developed by Circul8.

Plant Life Balance also partnered with Georgina Reid from The Planthunter to create 11
looks to inspire and motivate increased greening in small spaces.

The app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. See more information on the RMIT University and the University of Melbourne study that supported the app.

Plant Life Balance (TM) is a registered trademark of the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia Limited and is used under licence by Hort Innovation.