Press Release:
14th Big Chip Awards extends range across the North
Manchester Digital calls for entries for digital excellence by 5 March
The Big Chip Awards for companies excelling in the use of digital technology are back – and once again are extending their range right across the North of England.
Awards organiser Manchester Digital is inviting companies from all sectors across the North to submit their entries for the 2012 awards.
As with the 2011 awards, which attracted entries from across the North, this year’s awards are open to entries in all categories from any company, organisation or initiative in the North of England – anywhere from Derby to the Scottish border.
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 to an iPhone app.
This year, entries will also be accepted for projects underway for more than a year but which have achieved important milestones in the past year, thus opening up the awards to ventures that take longer to show their best results.
A new category is Best Use of Gaming – which acknowledges the growing importance of games and gaming techniques in digital work.
This year the awards are partnering with publishing group Trinity Mirror’s titles, the Daily Post, the Manchester Evening News and the Newcastle Journal.
A Trinity Mirror spokesperson said: "We are delighted to be the media partner for the Big Chip Awards. The digital and creative sector is of huge importance to the regional economy and these awards are a great chance for firms to spread the message about their products, services and achievements."
Following their most successful year yet in 2011, which attracted record entries, 2012’s awards ceremony looks to be the biggest and best to date. Categories will be judged by a panel of leading industry figures chaired by former New Media Age Editor in Chief Michael Nutley.
Entries are submitted online at www.bigchipawards.com. The first two entries are free. Subsequent entries cost £85. The closing date for entries is 5 March 2012.
The Big Chip Awards will be announced at a luxurious awards dinner on Thursday 5 July 2012 at the Palace Hotel, Manchester. The awards’ progress can be followed on Twitter @BigChip2012 and with hashtag #BigChip2012.
Organised by trade association Manchester Digital, with support from regional bodies such as Liverpool Vision and Codeworks in the North East, the awards are open to any organisation based in the North that has designed or commissioned any digital projects in the past year. This can include website, DVD, animation, wireless, and SMS projects.
Chair of Manchester Digital, Shaun Fensom, said: "2012 will see the Big Chips continue to extend their reach right across the North. Despite tough economic conditions, it’s very exciting to be ushering in the 14th Big Chip Awards – digital excellence has never been so important both to the health of our economy, and increasingly
