Despite his recent tantrum for not getting his way from iPhone, Trent Reznor was honored the title of “Webby Artist of the Year”, a Special Achievement Award at the 13^th Annual Webby Awards.

According to the announcement on WebbyAwards.com the judges selected Reznor for “making his music available to fans for free, Trent Reznor embraced the true openness of the Internet, similar to the release of the album Year Zero, which launched with an award-winning alternate reality game. Trent Reznor’s ability to connect with fans far and wide through the Web makes him a qualified ambassador of online culture, and arguably one of the most-recognized artists harnessing the power of the Internet to spread music.”

Among the social media savvy elite to win this year were Sarah Silverman for “Best Actress”, Film & Video Person of the Year: Seth MacFarlane and Webby Person of the Year: Jimmy Fallon.

Marketing Translation = “NIN GeoTargeting” (but in this case,  instead of ads, the promotion of the “NIN brand”). 

The features on this artist-centric NIN iPhone and iPod app includes the opportunity for fans to have access to exclusive NIN up-to-the-minute content. Die-hard NIN fans can now claim bragging rights on being among the first to check out new NIN photos, music (redirected to YouTube), tour dates, show updates, chats, forums, and even utilize the GPS function that allows them to connect with fellow NIN fans (that’s right people, now you can go trolling for other Reznor fans within a 50 mile radius).

The app neatly aggregates content from NIN.com conveniently into your iPhone in a super slick interface (after all, this is Trent Reznor we’re talking about). NIN are treating their iPhone app as if it’s an extension of their website, and like a 21st century version of a fan club. 

From an objective perspective, the verdict is still out on whether this app serves any real utilitarian purpose like we’ve seen with other music apps (e.g. Shazam, Coachella, Pandora), but we do appreciate Reznor and crew giving it “a good College try” into being early adopters of the social media space. 

And for those NIN Blackberry users out there, don’t despair, the band will be “investigating” Blackberry and Android versions next. 

NAME: nin: access (iPhone/iPod app)

COST: Free