Member Article

Big Chip Awards entry deadline two weeks away

Companies from across the North of England that have excelled in digital technology, have just two weeks left to enter the 16th Big Chip Awards. The deadline for entries is 17 March.

Manchester Digital organises the prestigious awards, with help from partners Digital Union, Creative Sheffield and the Manchester Digital Development Agency.

Digital companies and creative agencies from across the sector are encouraged to enter, as well as any businesses or organisations that have undertaken digital initiatives in the past year, which can include everything from a company website to a mobile app.

The 2014 Big Chip Awards are expected to be the most exciting yet – with a fantastic array of judges including Al Scott (C3: Connected Cloud Communications), Bill Thompson (journalist and media commentator), Herb Kim (Founder of the Thinking Digital conference), and Thayer Prime (Government Digital Service and celebrated games guru).

The judging panel will be chaired for the 11th year running by Michael Nutley, specialist business journalist and consultant in interactive media and marketing. This year’s special guest judge for the Anthony Wilson Original Modern Award is Neville Brody, an internationally renowned designer and one of the best-known graphic designers of his generation.

Entrants can choose from 20 entry categories. New in 2014 are the Little Chip Placement/ Apprentice award – recognising the rising stars of digital and the next generation of digital professionals and Best User Experience, looking for excellence in the increasingly important field of user experience or ‘UX’.

The 2014 awards are expected to be bigger and better than the 2013 Awards, which attracted an impressive 246 entries from 127 digital and creative organisations, and freelancers, across the North of England - from the Scottish borders to Derby.

The closing date for entries is Monday 17 March followed by the shortlist announcement on Thursday 1 May. For the first time, the Big Chip Awards dinner will take place at Manchester’s historic Midland Hotel, where the winners will be announced on 3 July 2014.

Chair of the Big Chip Steering Group, Shaun Fensom, said: “It brings me pleasure to announce the 16th Big Chip Awards. With great new categories – and a fantastic judging panel, we’re expecting entries to top previous years.

“The Big Chip Awards is a fantastic platform to celebrate digital excellence across the North. The North of England is emerging as an important digital sphere and the awards celebrate this and the diversity of the sector.”

Previous winners of the Big Chip Awards include Code Computer Love PushON, Space 48 and Greater Manchester Police.

Entries are submitted online at www.bigchipawards.com. The first two entries are free. Subsequent entries cost £95. The closing date for entries is 17 March 2014.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Manchester Digital .