For all we have to thank the internet for, somewhere up near the top is the opportunity for businesses to break out of their pin-striped mindsets and indulge in a bit of creativity. We see more and more of that creativity every day when we surf around the web.
  It was only a matter of time until some organization came along to honor this, and so it is with the first annual Webby Business Awards, which were awarded yesterday.
   The most-nominated site, BMW’s miniusa.com, took home awards in two of the three categories it was nominated in, best branding and design and best automotive. 

   The site helped launch the Mini Cooper in the U.S. and encouraged more than 75 percent of owners to register on the site, in addition to generating 15,000 sales leads.
   The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, which also awards the Webbys, recognized a total of 18 winners in 19 categories, with the Mini site the only double winner.

   Several of the winners are big offline brands, too. Sprite Remix won for best food and beverage while NYTimes.com was recognized as the top media and entertainment site. 

Yahoo won for best customization.

   Four sites that had been nominated in two categories took home one award. Southwest Airlines received best cost-cutting, eDiets best healthcare and Salesforce.com best IT. And Boys & Girls Club of America’s KidBuilding won the good deeds award, given to a nonprofit or cause-related site.