Updated 6/13/2025

Since pre-Hellenistic culture, through the Roman Empire, and even still to this day, money is often the prize awarded for competitions. It can be direct, as in the case of charitable grants and Nobel Prizes, or indirect, as in the case for entertainment awards which raise an artist’s earning potential – or even with corporate employees where awards can do the same and make the recipient more marketable.

But what about the object, the trophy? And why was it so often a cup? 

Updated 8/15/2025

Some of the most interesting parts of what we do are the most secret. Here we expose all or nothing – tongue in cheek. 

Q:  How much does it cost to make a National Emmy® Statuette?

A:  National Emmys®, cost $1 million to “make”, because they are made of a solid 12kt gold core, with a pure 18kt gold exterior, except for the vertical structure of the base which would not be strong enough to be made out of gold and instead is stamped steel gold plated.  Specially selected FedEx executives actually make the pickups and deliveries personally, handcuffed to spy-style suitcases, with a retinue of armed guards, provided by each state into which the Emmy® is being sent.

Updated 6/24/2025

We love to drink champagne for celebrations and associate it with exclusivity and the high life – Why? When did that start?

Over a thousand years ago. Royals bearing the name and title of Champagne served with Charlemagne, journeyed on the Crusades, and for a time Champagne, France was a site for the crowning of kings.