Press Release 14 January 2009
11th Big Chip Awards
Manchester Digital calls for entries from NW companies by 16 March
The Big Chip Awards for North West companies excelling in the use of digital technology are back, following their most successful year yet in 2008.
The awards will be bigger and better, with four new categories including the Tasty Website award - a popular vote via SMS text messaging, a growing form of online marketing.
New categories to be judged by New Media Age editor Michael Nutley and a panel of industry figures include Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Online Brand Development and Best Newcomer (Enterprise).
These add to awards which debuted last year including the ‘green’ award for technology (reflecting the growing importance of sustainability), the Best Application of Technology award, the Game of the North award (open to companies to all Northern regions), and the International Award for Innovation, open as its title suggests to digital activity worldwide.
Awards organiser Manchester Digital is inviting companies from all sectors across the North-west to submit their entries for the 2009 awards.
The call for entries is to digital companies and creative agencies and any organisation or business which has undertaken digital initiatives in the past year – everything from a company website to digital marketing.
Entries are submitted online at www.bigchipawards.com. The first two entries are free. Subsequent entries cost £75. The closing date for entries is 16 March 2009. The Big Chip Awards will be announced at a glittering awards dinner on Thursday 18 June 2009 at the Palace Hotel, Manchester.
Organised by Manchester Digital, the trade association for the region’s digital sector, with support from regional bodies such as Merseyside ICT and the Manchester Digital Development Agency, the awards are open to any organisation based in the North West that has designed or commissioned any digital projects in the past year. This can include website, DVD, animation, wireless or SMS projects.
Chair of Manchester Digital, Shaun Fensom, said: “Now in their 11th year, the Big Chip Awards are growing to reflect the way all things digital have permeated the everyday lives of people.
“No-one can deny that the digital age is now truly upon us, with the importance of online applications such as Google, You Tube and Facebook now regular tools at work and at home.
“The growth of The Big Chip Awards has reflected the incredible growth of the brilliant digital work from the North West in the past decade. Indeed, last year’s awards were the largest ever for submissions, sponsorship and attendees.
“While no-one is likely to escape the credit crunch entirely, we predict that the North-west digital sector is based on an unstoppable trend towards digital growth, and this gives us great expectations for this year’s awards.” Ends
For further media information and images please contact Andrew Spinoza, Caty Cartwri
