Tom Hayes is an American marketing executive, and is the founder of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, a public-private economic consultancy and think tank.
In 1996, Hayes pioneered what is widely considered to be the first online entertainment event - WEBSTOCK '96 - as "a combination TV show, rock concert and theme park."
He joined forces with Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue, to combine the creative talents of MTV, Disney, Fox, and Nickelodeon for a 96-hour marathon event in conjunction with Rock the Vote and to benefit the charity, Do Something.
First year recipients included Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop per Child; Participant Media, founded by former eBay president Jeff Skoll; and a posthumous award to internet prodigy and activist, Aaron Swartz.
After hours entertainment was produced by Live Nation and featured musical performances by Grammy Award winners Weezer, Thievery Corporation, Kongos, Young Rising Sons.