Over 500 guests gathered on 22 May to mark the tenth year of the Big Chip awards – recognising the cream of the digital industries in the North.

Big Chip Ten received a record number of entries, with more than 120 companies submitting 215 entries. Broadcaster, Terry Christian filled the ‘big shoes’ of Tony Wilson as host of the evening, dedicating the event to the late great ‘Mr Manchester’. Shaun Fensom, Chair of Manchester Digital, organisers of the event, highlighted the anniversary of the ‘baby’ – the world’s first stored computer born here in Manchester 60 years ago. We’ve certainly come along way since then!

“The calibre of the entries was overwhelming this year and it was great to see 500 nominees, winners and supporters turn out in force. As a once small start up company it was really great to see so many of the smaller companies winning the awards, something that can make a real difference to your business on so may levels.” Commented Marcie Incarico, CEO&Founder of Out There Events, who managed the event.

The big winners of the night were The Neighbourhood who picked up a hat trick of awards – Best use of Animation, Best from Greater Manchester and the Grand Prix Award. Their success was further recognised by a special achievement award. On winning the awards, Jon Humphries, Creative Director of the Neighbourhood said: “For such a young studio it means a great deal to us that people are enjoying our work. Sometimes the most interesting things happen on the peripheries of standard commercial work made by passionate people who view what they do as more than just a job. We like to think this helps make our work special”.

Also celebrating wins were Bolton based graphic design agency, Fudge, LOVE Creative, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, web development agency EduNation Ltd, 3T Productions Ltd. Higgins and Bowers Freelance took the Big Green Chip Award for their development of Slipstream Energy Web Site while Matt Booth from Chorley agency, Flashtemple was named Best Freelancer/Micro Enterprise in the North West – an award proudly sponsored by your very own CIDS. “As much as a surprise as it was winning, it really has topped off a great first year in the big bad world of freelancing. It was a great night.” Exclaimed Matt Booth of Flashtemple who only jumped onto the freelance wagon early last year.

For more information on Big Chip go to: www.bigchipawards.com

The winners in full are:

Best E-Business Project
Winner: EduNation Ltd

Best Public Sector Project
Winner: Aerelink Limited

Best Not For Profit Project
Winner: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Best Digital Marketing and Brand Development
Commended: Creative Cultures
Winner: LOVE

Best E-Learning Project
Winner: 3T Productions Ltd

Best Use of Visual Design
Winner: Fudge

Best Application of Technology
Winner: Trader Media Digital

Best Use of Animation
Winner: The Neighbourhood

Best Use of Search
Winner: eBusiness UK

Big Green Chip Award
Winner: Higgins and Bowers Freelance

Best Freelancer/ Micro Enterprise
Winner: Matt Booth- Flashtemple

MANCAT Award
Laura Irvine

Big Chip New Media Agency Award
LOVE

Game of the North
Winner: Pi Eye Games

Big Chip International Award for Innovation
Winner: PhoneFromHere.com

Regional Awards

Best of Lancashire
EduNation Ltd

Best of Merseyside
Creative Cultures

Best of Cheshire&Warrington
Trader Media Digital

Best of Greater Manchester
The Neighbourhood

Best of Cumbria
Hydrant

Grand Prix
The Neighbourhood

Anthony Wilson Original Modern Award
Skylab