Flow Creative was the big winner at last night’s Big Chip Awards, taking home an impressive four gongs for its campaign for Arts Council England.
More than 400 industry professionals attended the event at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel, to celebrate digital excellence in the North over the last 12 months.
Political commentator and comedian Ayesha Hazarika announced the winners, who came from all over the region, with 18 winners across 24 categories.
Three new categories were introduced to the awards this year, including Big Chip IoT Impact Award, won by Things North, Big Chip Transformation Award, which Apadmi scooped with its work with NHS Blood and Transplant, and the Big Chip Leadership Award won by Gavin Sherratt of Mashbo.
Yay! Things North wins the IoT award at #BigChipAwards. Great stuff @Julianlstar @davemee et al. cc @thethingsntwrk pic.twitter.com/K9SjSfwarz
— Martin Bryant (@MartinSFP) June 15, 2017
Shaun Fensom, Big Chip Awards steering group chair, said: “Big Chip shows us how we’re doing in the North’s digital and tech industry.
“This year entries are up and standards are higher than ever – across multiple sectors in this ever-specialising world.
“We have seen how digital in the North has become an important part of the UK economy, I look forward to watching as it increasingly measures itself against global standards.”
Celebrating @BigChipAwards! @WeAreForm @TheLoftLtd @BIMA @cactus @EverythingDiff @neighbourhood @WeAreFARM #bigchipawards pic.twitter.com/HZDIrTuf9h
— ForrestBrown (@ForrestBrownTax) June 15, 2017
Winning entries were picked by judges including celebrated designer Malcolm Garrett, Alastair Cole of The Engine Group, the BBC’s Bill Thompson, Joanna Blackburn from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Caroline Gorski, head of IoT at Digital Catapult.
Lawrence Jones MBE, founder and CEO at headline sponsor UKFast, added: “It’s incredible to see the leading talent from across the region come together to celebrate their achievements.
“The momentum in our digital and creative industries right now is extraordinary and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to highlight the very best projects and the very brightest talent.”
Hey, we’ve won an awards ????????#BigChipAwards top work and thank you to CK and @Mashbo team ???? pic.twitter.com/HyVoOUefMw
— Creative Kitchen (@JoinUsAtTheCK) June 16, 2017
Paul Martynenko, president of awards partner, BCS, said: ‘I’d like to congratulate all the Big Chip winners, which clearly shows the vibrancy and dynamism of the digital community in the North.
“As sponsors of the inaugural Leadership Award, I cannot think of a better winner than Gavin Sherratt, a dynamic entrepreneur who as well as growing his own start-up digital business, has done much to promote the digital future of the North.
“We’re also delighted to see the Little Chip Award, go to Benjamin Sinclair of Manchester Metropolitan University, who exemplifies the wonderful future that lies ahead for those who choose a career in our wonderful industry.”
The full winners list:
Best B2B Business Project
Duo Design with MathsWatch VLE
Best B2C Business Project
KMP Digitata with Aberdeen Airport contextual timeline
Best Digital Marketing/Branding campaign
Modern English and Foo Fighters with Foo Fighters Glastonbury Announcement Campaign
Best Freelancer/Micro Enterprise
Mighty Giant
Best Game
Code Computerlove with The Higher Lower Game
Best Mobile Application
Silverchip with Bolster with a pioneering, application-based business
Best Public Sector Project
Flow Creative with Arts Council England Funding Brand Campaign
Best Start-up
Helpthemove
Best Tech for Good Project
MadLab with Make Stuff
Best Use of Animation
Flow Creative with Arts Council England Funding Brand Campaign
Best Use of Digital Design
Flow Creative with Arts Council England Funding Brand Campaign
Best Use of Search
Mediaworks & Stagecoach with All aboard for digital transformation
Best User Experience
After Digital and Donmar Warehouse with A high-end theatre experience online
Big Chip Digital Business Award
Reason Digital
Big Chip IoT Impact Award
Things North
Big Chip Leadership Award
Gavin Sherratt
Big Chip Transformation Award
Apadmi with NHS Blood and Transplant – DonorPath
Little Chip Placement/Apprentice Award
SharpFutures with Amy Williams
Little Chip Student Award
Manchester Metropolitan University with Benjamin Sinclair
Most Innovative Application of Technology
Geek Talent with redefining career advice with GoCareer
Anthony Wilson Award
Thompson Brand Partners with MindMate, a website helping to improve mental health
Grand Prix
Flow Creative with Arts Council England Funding Brand Campaign