Some of the biggest names in Manchester’s media and creative world have been honoured at this year’s MPA Inspiration Awards.
The awards, now in their 13th year and hosted by broadcast legend Mark Ratcliffe, aim to recognise the excellent talent across the city’s creative sector – and also aim to inspire the industry's next generation.
Winning campaigns included ones from Channel 4, McCann Manchester, and TBWA\MCR, while the overall MPS award went to Christian James, r of the IF agency. On LinkedIn, he called Manchester “et to live and work in the creative industries”.
Cindy Simmons, MD of the MPA, said, “Our strategy is to connect and support the entire creative, digital and media community in Greater Manchester. This has been demonstrated by the diversity of companies entering from across the region. We are very proud of our awards and how they have developed over the years.
“We have also listened to the industry and have created categories to match what businesses want to enter to showcase their skills. It’s a testimony to the MPA Awards that they have grown and grown over the past 13 years since their creation and are well recognised by the sector.
“People awards play a key part in the programme with students, apprentices and ‘rising stars’ all receiving recognition, as well as the ‘Freelance Hero’ category to acknowledge their support. The MPA also believes that it is important to recognise future talent and deserving winners were awarded with the College Student Award, as well as a separate award for University Students, to ensure the range of students in Manchester is recognised.”
All the winners of the 13th MPA Inspiration Awards
Best Digital Campaign
Winner: IF. for From 0 to £1/2 Million in just a Tik
Highly Commended: PHD Manchester for PHD MCR + Takis: Face the Intensity
Best Creative Campaign
Winner: EssenceMediacom North for From Tired Dad Jokes to Real Talk
Best Sales Team Campaign
Winner: Channel 4 Sales, Mail Metro Media & EssenceMediacom for Skipton Building Society for Helping the Nation Make Their Move
Best Integrated Campaign
Winner: STING FILMS® for Marriott Bonvoy ‘Where can we take you?’
Highly Commended: Carat Ƶ, Global and Holland & Barrett for Strong For Life: One Moment, Big Impact
Best PR/Social Campaign
Winner: Channel 4 Sales & Wavemaker North for Remington , for My Hair Journey
Best Media Campaign
Winner: Wavemaker North for Transfer your skills
Best Animation
Winner: STING FILMS® for Marriott Bonvoy ‘Where Can We Take You?’
Best Podcast
Winner: Bloom North for The Blooming North Podcast
Martyn Hett Inspiring Manchester Award
Winner: Peachy & Screenskills for TV Drama DE&I Talent Pipeline Programme
The Big Bang Award
Winner: TBWA\MCR for Homelessness is Spiking
Collaboration Award
Winner: Carat Ƶ, Channel 4 & Co-op Funeralcare for Life, Death and Rock ‘N’ Roll
Highly Commended: Wavemaker North & Channel 4 for From Styling to Storytelling
Innovation Award
Winner: McCann Manchester for Hyve for Turning Brand Buzz into Brand Power
Apprentice Award
Winner: Luis Rogers from Republic of Media
Highly Commended: Ameilia Lloyd from News Ƶ
Rising Star Award
Winner: Izzy Turner from Channel 4 Sales
Highly Commended: George Dickens from Republic of Media
University Student Award
Winner: Hannah Frances Boswell from Manchester Metropolitan University
Freelance Hero Award
Winner: Jo Jeffers
Mentor Award
Winner: Lisa Thompson from Wavemaker North
Media Sales Team of the Year
Winner: JCDecaux Ƶ
Highly Commended: Mobsta
Agency of the Year
Winner: Apadmi
Best Place to Work
Winner: Bauer Media Outdoor
Best of the Best
Winner: TBWA\MCR
Business of the Year
Winner: JCDecaux Ƶ
MPA Award
Winner: Christian James
