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05 January 2012

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14^th 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 also in everyone’s daily lives.

"The move in 2011 of five BBC departments into MediaCityUK, including Future Media and Technology demonstrates the growing importance of the North to national and international digital sector and provides a host of commercial opportunities for Northern companies.

"Last year’s awards were the largest ever for submissions and the growth of The Big Chip Awards celebrate how forward thinking digital companies and creative agencies across the North are taking the lead in creating the technology that will define our future."

"I’m especially proud of our new Little Chip Award. The North of England has an incredible range of excellent higher education institutions and a large pool of talented students and it’s really important to recognise their achievements – today’s students are the creative talent of tomorrow."

Ampersand Commerce won three awards at last year’s Big Chips and Darryl Adie, Managing Director, says: "2011 was a monumental year for Ampersand Commerce, starting with a triple win at the 2011 Big Chip Awards for our development of Made.com. The Big Chip Awards we won really raised awareness of our agency in the industry and set the tone for the exciting year we've had, winning several big name clients and recognition as experts within the Magento community." Magento is an open source e-commerce web platform.

For further media information and images please contact Andrew Spinoza or Anna Goulding at SKV Communications on (0161) 838 7770 firstname.lastname@skvcommunications.co.uk

Big Chip Awards 2012 – Categories – see www.bigchipawards.co.uk for entry criteria
Best E-business project
Best Public Sector Project
Best Not for Profit Project
Best Mobile Project
Best Use of Visual Design
Best Application of Technology
Best Use of Animation
Best Use of Search
Best Use of Social Media
Best Use of Gaming
Best Digital Marketing Campaign
Best On-line Brand Development
Best Newcomer
Best Established Freelancer/Micro Enterprise
Big Green Chip Award
Big Chip International Award for Innovation
Little Chip Student Award
Tasty Website Award
Big Chip New Media Agency Award
Anthony Wilson Original Modern Award
Grand Prix
Big Chip International Award for Innovation

All entries are to be submitted online at www.bigchipawards.com by 5 March 2012.
Note to Editors:
To order tickets for the awards dinner please contact Out There Events on Tel: 0161 946 6262 or email info@bigchipawards.com