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North West Categories

The main North West categories highlight the biggest concentration of ICT and new media businesses outside London.

Entries welcomed from anywhere in the North West of England - Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Entrants for Best Freelancer/Micro Enterprise should be based in the North West, projects entered for any of the other categories should largely originate in the North West. See the Eligibility criteria for details.

Closing date for entries was 8 March 2010.

Details of the criteria for each category are given below.

Any entry for one of these awards will be considered for one of the special awards:

• Tasty Website award (selected from a shortlist by popular vote - you decide whether you want to be considered)
• Big Chip New Media Agency award (you decide whether you want to be considered)
• Grand Prix (the best of the best)

Judges' criteria for the categories

Best E-business Project

An entry in this category can be any digital project with a direct commercial objective, for example a B2C or B2B website or e-commerce project, or a mobile content business. Entrants should demonstrate the business benefits of the project (for the commissioning business if the entrant is an agency), by generating more business or new business, or by optimizing parts of the business process. (Pure marketing websites and projects should be entered in the Best Digital Marketing and Brand Development category.)

Best Public Sector Project

An entry in this category can be any digital project commissioned by or executed by a public sector agency, for example a public sector website, or an e-government project. Entrants should demonstrate how the project has achieved objectives for the public sector in a cost effective way.  Submissions should indicate which public sector organisation commissioned or executed the project so that this can be verified.

Best Not for Profit Project

An entry in this category can be any digital project commissioned by or executed by a third sector organisation (charity, social enterprise or not-for-profit association), for example a not-for-profit website, or a community-led content project. Entrants should demonstrate the success of the project in achieving a positive social objective directly, or in improving the ability of a third sector project or organisation to achieve its objectives. Submissions should provide reasonable evidence that the project is not for profit.

Best E-Learning Project

Entrants in this category should demonstrate innovation or excellence in the use of digital technology to deliver e-learning or training.

Best Use of Visual Design

Submissions should demonstrate how visual creativity has enhanced the appeal, effectiveness or usability of a project, product or service in any digital medium.

Best Application of Technology

Submissions should demonstrate how the application of original, new, or advanced digital technology has enabled the execution of a project, product or service, or has been used to increase its effectiveness in delivering business or other tangible objectives.

Best Use of Animation

This category is open to any animation created exclusively using digital techniques and delivered via a digital medium. Entrants should demonstrate exceptional innovation, creativity or originality.

Best Use of Search

Entrants in this category should demonstrate how a project to attract appropriate and valued traffic from search has improved the ability of a business or other organisation with an on-line presence to achieve its objectives.

Best Digital Marketing Campaign

An entry in this category must include a significant use of online or digital technology to promote a product or service. Campaigns could include online advertising, viral marketing, email marketing, SMS campaigns and integrated on and offline campaigns. Entrants should demonstrate the effectiveness of the campaign in generating business (for the commissioning organization), directly or indirectly.

Best On-line Brand Development

An entry in this category must include a significant use of on-line media to develop or build a brand. Entrants should provide evidence of the effectiveness of the on-line presence in strengthening the brand and its values.

Best Newcomer (Enterprise)

This category is open to any freelancer/contractor or enterprise that has started in business since March 2009 and is based in the North West. The award recognises enterprises that show particular promise of becoming successful.

Best Freelancer/Micro Enterprise

This category is open to any freelancer/contractor or enterprise with five or fewer employees or partners, working in the digital sector in the North West. Nominations are welcome from third parties.

Big Chip New Media Agency Award

Open to any new media agency that has been entered for another Big Chip award and recognises exceptional professionalism, originality or innovation.