Northern Digital Awards 2018: The Winners and a Review

Awards and Events

by David Prior
February 1, 2018

Over 450 people celebrated the region’s digital excellence last night at a sell-out Northern Digital Awards in Leeds.

The event, held amid the art deco splendour of the Queens Hotel, was held for a sixth year in association with Prolific North and Don’t Panic Events and generous support from headline sponsor Amobee.

Host Andy Crane was back to steer proceedings as a record total of 30 awards were distributed to companies, organisations, institutions and agencies from every corner of the North.

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Particular mention should go to those double winners on the night, including HMA, Republic of Media, Stein IAS and Digitaloft, with the latter’s Ellie Pritchard also taking home the Young Digital Marketer of the Year award.

Thanks to our category sponsors Digitaloft, Bruntwood, Big Brand Ideas, Trunk and Zeal.

And we’d also like to record our appreciation for all the outstanding judges who helped to select the winners – their comments are included below.

The Northern Digital Awards 2018 – The Winners

(in association with A mobee)

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Finance: Latitude & AllClear Travel Insurance – Project Bookshelf

Judges really liked the creatives and analogies which have been used, the campaign achieved all objectives that were set and the results were very impressive.

Also nominated:
Branded3 and Provident Personal Credit Unbroken Britain
Click Consult & Chill Insurance ‘Insuring Ireland’s Future’
Kagool & Together – Finance Search Marketing Campaign
Mediaworks & True Potential Investor
On the Tools – DL4B – ‘On Site Grand National’

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Travel/Leisure: Great Western Railway & Wavemaker – #GWRAdventures

The judges really liked the ‘people buy journeys and not trains’ insight as well as the great use of social and the very detailed objectives section.

Also nominated:
Banc – Cruise1st
Banc – Scenic
Bateaux London & Reckless London vs The World
The Source – Freedomes Safety Campaign by The Source
theEword – Driving the digital footprint for ASPRO
Untold Agency & Jetwing Hotels – The Island Insider

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Retail: Missguided – Naughty List Campaign

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Entertainment / Sports: Blueclaw and Free Super Tips Growing the UK’s Leading Super-Affiliate to 3.7 Million Monthly Visitors

The judges thought that this was a very thorough campaign which is a simple idea that has been executed in the right way and led to excellent results for the client. A stand out winner in this category.

Also nominated:
Fast Web Media Esports and the Field of View
Mayalukas & YIFA – Bringing International Football to Yorkshire via Digital!
Welcome to Yorkshire – Tour de Yorkshire 2017

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Third Sector: Fat Media for BeGamble Aware – Responsible Gambling Week

The judges felt that this was a very interesting campaign which has been well-executed to drive some amazing results. Not an easy message to promote but Fat Media have successfully created an overall great campaign which really impressed the judges

Also nominated:
Click Consult & Oxfam ‘Dressed by the Kids 2017’
Fast Web Media’s BBC Children in Need Fund-raising PPC Campaign
Mashbo – Hub of Hope

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Public Sector: Republic of Media – Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images

A very tough subject to talk about but Republic of Media managed to do this in a very professional and clever way. Fantastic campaign and a strong winner.

Also nominated:
Culture Liverpool Liverpool City Council – 50 Summers of Love
Diva Creative – PlusBike
Flow Creative – Funding Campaign
Lesniak Swann & Stoke on Trent College – August Enrolment
University of Central Lancashire – Clearing 2017

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Health & Beauty: Finn Communications – Bio-Oil’s Drop, Drop, ____. Campaign

The judges thought that this was a rounded ‘modern’ campaign which was very well planned and executed with a nice strategy, sales uplift and a happy client. A nice campaign with a solid budget.

Also nominated:
The SEO Works – A Double Dose of Digital For Weldricks Pharmacy

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – FMCG: Untold Agency & Budweiser Budvar – Czech Stories

Judges thought that this was a very thoughtful campaign with a good strategy and was creatively executed which generated very impressive results.

Also nominated:
Kellogg’s Back to School eCommerce Campaign 2017

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – B2B: Stein IAS and Ingredion (EMEA) – Integrating the Ingredients of Success

Judges thought that Stein IAS and Ingredion showed clear goals, budgets and had a great understanding of their target audience and how to reach them.

Also nominated:
AJ Bell Investcentre – Due Diligence Campaign
Entyce and Zodeq – new business launch and beyond
Fast Web Media – Esports and the Field of View
Ideal Boilers – The Secret’s Out
On the Tools – Jewson ‘Trade Hero’
Rethink CCM Ltd – ‘MyKeys’ New Business Campaign

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – B2C: Digitaloft & Missy Empire – You vs The Kardashians

Judges felt that this was a well-executed campaign that engaged creatively to drive some amazing results. An overall great entry which really impressed the judges.

Also nominated:
Accord Marketing – Age UK Mobility Brilliantly Joined-Up Search Marketing
Brave Agency – Rebranding and Website Optimisation Campaign for LK Performance
Digitaloft & Missy Empire – A Technical SEO Success Story
Digitaloft & Play Like Mum Launching The Brand New Range Of Silver
Cross Dolls Prams
The Lead Agency – Driving new customer growth for BMW
University of Central Lancashire – Clearing 2017

Best Affiliate Campaign: Graham & Brown affiliates by twentysix – Driving International Growth

Judges thought this was a solid campaign which has been well executed and had a strategy that connected well with its audience, very impressive, tangible results.

Also nominated:
DS.Emotion – Hilton The Boss Baby – When it comes to families we mean business

Best Low Budget Campaign: Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Using the C-Word to help save lives

A tear-jerking story and amazing cause, every parents’ worst nightmare and a courageous little girl. Fantastic use of video and great strategy, a strong, worthy winner in this category.

Also nominated:
Digitaloft & Missy Empire – You vs The Kardashians
Evolved Digital and The Wooden Toy Shop – Fixing a Broken Toy Shop
Inside Online – Celebrity Engagement Audit
Latitude & AllClear Travel Insurance – Raising Dementia Awareness to Thousands
Outwrite PR – Engineering a career in construction
Republic of Media – Stomp
Zeal – BLU1

Best Integrated Campaign: MountDigital with Brand Interiors – Sales go so-far for furniture retailer

Judges thought that this campaign had great integration with offline and in-house resources which really helped to reach their targeted audience.

Highly Commended: South Yorkshire Police – Domestic Abuse Cut the Strings

Also nominated:
Blueclaw and Mobile Phones Direct – Eight Figures of Revenue from Integrated PPC SEO Content Marketing and CRO
Epiphany & Furniture Choice – Growing a Business Purely Online
Shop Direct & Threefold – Virgin Experience Days For Moments That Matter
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Bad Drivers
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Using the C-Word to help save lives
WMG for ALA IB Limited

Best PPC Campaign: The SEO Works – PPC Therapy 3015% = Return for Weldricks Pharmacy

Judges thought that this was a good campaign with clear objectives and very impressive results were achieved. A stand out campaign created on a small budget.

Also nominated:
Blueclaw and Mobile Phones Direct – Eight Figures of Revenue from Integrated PPC SEO Content Marketing and CRO
CandidSky & John Ryan by Design
Fast Web Media’s BBC Children in Need Fund Raising PPC Campaign
Ignition Search & Pretty Green – The £1million month
Mabo Media – Reaching The Summit Of Paid Search With Montane
Republic of Media – Silverstone Paid Search Performance
twentysix and Fortnum & Mason – A Very Happy Christmas

Best SEO Campaign: Banana Moon & Epiphany – A four-step strategy to success

Judges really liked this campaign, it was a well thought-out campaign with impressive evidence of growth and tangible results.

Also nominated:
Blueclaw and Free Super Tips – Growing the UKs Leading Super-Affiliate to 3.7 Million Monthly Visitors
Branded3 and Staveley Head – London Under the Microscope
Digitaloft & Missy Empire – A Technical SEO Success Story
Digitaloft & Missy Empire – You vs The Kardashians
Ingenuity Digital – Cox and Cox Mail Order Limited
Record-breaking visibility Epiphanys SEO strategy for Anglian Home Improvements
The Best Medicine SEO Works help Weldricks Double Organic Revenue

Best Use Of Social Media, sponsored by Digitaloft: Co-op’s #ReverseAdvent

Judges thought that the #ReverseAdvent campaign was a really impressive, ambitious and meticulously planned campaign with a nice structure.

Also nominated:
Dewynters – Launching Bat Out of Hell onto the Manchester Stage
Great Western Railway & Wavemaker – #GWRAdventures
Republic of Media – Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images
Stein IAS – The Getty Images France Video Campaign
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Bad Drivers
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Using the C-Word to help save lives
When Mighty Social launched Facebook as the fastest growing acquisition channel ever for Hillarys

Best Use Of Video: Republic of Media – Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images

Judges thought that this was a brilliant campaign with outstanding results. It shows how creating a contentious hook and strong messaging can cut through even amongst young males.

Also nominated:
Cisco – Mi-IDEA the place to Bee
DTW Advertising and Marketing – merseyflow
Ideal Boilers – The Secret’s Out
Outwrite PR – Engineering a career in construction
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Bad Drivers
Trunk and Big Brand Ideas – Using the C-Word to help save lives
Ultimate Creative Communications – The Lanterns at Chester Zoo

Best Influencer / Blogger Outreach Campaign: Co-op’s #ReverseAdvent

Judges thought that this was a great campaign with a nice simple hashtag. The entry had excellent data presentation and objectives where set and implemented throughout with the results being very impressive.

Also nominated:
Ideal Boilers – The Secret’s Out
Inside Online – Celebrity Engagement Audit
Wavemaker and Swinton Insurance – ‘Britain’s Most Dangerous Roads’
Zeal – Visit York Original City Adventure

Best Website: Bluestorm – From courses to careers: a new digital interface for Hull College

Judges were impressed with the innovation and design which created the website, it is very professional and engaging. An all round good job with satisfactory business results.

Also nominated:
BML – Pitch Tents
CDS – The Metropolitan Police Service and CDS
Code Computerlove & Hillarys
NetConstruct – Theakstons
Parallax – cap hpi website
Splitpixel and Sodexo – Website Planning, Design and Build
The University of Liverpool – Transforming the University of Liverpool’s website

Best eCommerce Website: HMA & Isopharm – Dental Training Portal

A lovely website with a very clever and user friendly backend management. A great site build with strong outcomes based on clear strategy.

Also nominated:
Climb Creative – Where The Trade Buys
e3creative – CentreSoft & Sony – PlayStation Gear
iWeb / Raleigh
Nublue & Lakeland Leather
Pinpoint & Custom Plugs
Pixelbuilders Improve Functionality For The Plastic People
RUN2 Digital – Custom Cookie Company Ecommerce Website

Best Digital Tool Or Software, sponsored by Bruntwood: Age UK – Call In Time

Judges were impressed by Age UK’s incredibly inspiring use of technology which they said was cutting edge. A very worthy winner.

Also nominated:
AdCellerant – IU.Marketing
Blueclaw – MarketScout SEO Analysis Tool
Bunting
M2ePro : Selling on Multi-Channels – Made Easy
Mashbo – PropertyCloud.io
Tribus Digital & MadeByPi – Willmott Dixon midigital products

Best Martech: Stein IAS and Ingredion (EMEA) – Integrating the Ingredients of Success

Judges were impressed with this detailed entry and the transformation which took place, Stein IAS and Ingredion have clearly achieved their objectives and have shown fantastic results.

Also nominated:
Bunting

Best App, sponsored by Cathcart Associates: HMA & stem4 – Calm Harm App

Judges thought that this was a lovely app, the entry has clear demonstrations of how the app has had a tangible impact on the desired audience and continues to do so using evidence-based approach.

Also nominated:
Degree 53, Sykes Cottages – Sykes Cottages travel companion app
Mediaworks & Wild In Art
Mosquito Digital & Manchester Airport: Manchester Airport App and iBeacon
North Project – Fllike ‘A beautiful way to Score and Share your in-flight experience’
Urban Zoo Studios – Official Mobile App for Stoke City Football Club

Digital Marketing In-House Team Of The Year, sponsored by Big Brand Ideas: South Yorkshire Police – Engagement team

Northern Digital Awards 2018 Judge, David Edmundson-Bird, collecting the award on behalf of South Yorkshire Police

Also nominated:
Access Creative College Marketing Team
CHO Fashion & Lifestyle
Co-op’s Social Media Team
The University of Liverpool Digital Team
University of Central Lancashire – Digital Communications Team
Welcome to Yorkshire Digital Team
Workwear Express

Search Agency of the Year: Click Consult

Judges really liked how Click Consult have a strong client base, they have been through tough times but it seems to have only made them stronger.

Also nominated:
Branded3
Circus PPC
Digitaloft
Epiphany
IDHL Group
Mabo Media
RUN2 Digital

CRO Agency Of The Year: Endless Gain

Judges felt that this was an excellent entry. It was well thought through with an impressive set of client testimonials and materials presented.

Also nominated:
User Conversion

Small Digital Agency Of The Year: Digitaloft

Judges said that Digitaloft is a solid, small agency which shows a steady and impressive growth. The judges are looking forward to seeing more from this agency.

Highly Commended: Trunk

Also nominated:
CandidSky
Fluid Digital
Perfect Storm
StrawberryToo
Tribus Digital
Trunk
Woven

Large Digital Agency Of The Year, sponsored by Trunk: Apadmi

Judges thought that Apadmi is an exciting agency at the forefront of mobile and they are doing things that nobody else is capable of.

Also nominated:
Click Consult
Clicky Media Ltd
Mando
Mediaworks
Return
Stein IAS
Threefold

Young Digital Marketer of The Year, sponsored by Zeal: Ellie Pritchard – Digitaloft

Judges really liked how talented Ellie is with her creative content and innovative ideas and were very impressed with her excellent career progression.

Also nominated:
Jordan Lane – Stein IAS
Karl Chevalier – RUN2 Digital
Amy Gornall – Doris IT

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