Awards showcasing the very best in Wales’ thriving digital sector have been launched.
Now in their fourth year the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2020 will recognise businesses and entrepreneurs making an outstanding contribution to the sector. This year the principal sponsor is again Admiral Group.
There are 10 categories, including best digital start up of the year, app of the year and best young person in tech (full categories below).
Head of change at Admiral, Matt Wintle, said: “Admiral are proud to sponsor the WalesOnline Digital Awards for the second year.running. It is great for Admiral, a company with technology at its heart, to be given the opportunity to help recognise the fantastic achievements being delivered in Wales.
"Last year’s list of nominees and winners were inspiring and I am sure we will see a similar calibre of entrant this year. We look forward to a great day of tech celebration.”
Editor-in-chief of WalesOnline, Paul Rowland, said: “These awards will again showcase the excellence that exists in Wales’ fast-expanding digital sector, from established innovative firms and entrepreneurs driving impressive market share, to exciting start-ups with huge potential for growth.
“For the Welsh economy to thrive in an ever increasing digital world, where advances in automation will radically change how we live and work, we need a sector that is not only vibrant, but fleet of foot to exploit the huge commercial opportunities that will arise.
“It is hoped that the finalists and winners of the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2020 will encourage a new wave of businesses and innovators to follow in their footsteps.”
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Entries are now open for each category with a deadline of April 25th. For entry details .
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony at the Tramshed in Cardiff on Friday June 12th.
The awards’ presenter will again be Lewis Vaughan Jones from the BBC news channel. Guess speakers will include digital entrepreneur Aimee Bateman, who was named as digital ambassador at last year’s awards.
For ticket and category sponsorship opportunities, contact our regional events manager Isabel Goodman on 07825 842981 or isabel.goodman@mediawales.co.uk
Young Person
Whether an entrepreneur, coder, artist or communicator, one of the country’s brightest sparks, aged 35 or under, will be crowned Young Person of the Year. The winner could be an entrepreneur or an excellent employee whose work has made a difference to their business.
Best Digital Start Up
A company or organisation that has launched in the last two years and has already found a strong and loyal digital following, customer base or audience.
This award can recognise success in a wide range of fields, from online retail to web development or marketing. The winner will have bold ambitions and clear evidence their growth plans have got off to a solid start.
Best Academic Project
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As more schools and colleges sign up to digital, we’ll be looking for a stand-out academic project, using digital technology. The winner will have embraced the internet’s possibilities for teaching and be able to show how its use has helped pupils develop their skills. Judges hope to see creative uses of technology which goes beyond the occasional use of slideshows.
Best Use of Digital Marketing
We’re looking for a one-off marketing or promotional campaign, or continuous excellent use of digital tools such as social media, to promote a business, organisation or event. Judges will be keen to see eye-catching graphics, unusual videos and impressive ideas on adding value to content.
Women of the Year
The digital and tech sectors might be booming, but there’s a timebomb just around the corner. Only 17% of people working in tech are women, and only 7% of A-level computer studies students are girls.
This category will highlight the awesome contribution of this region’s women in tech, and tell their stories to inspire a new generation.
Best Use of Emerging Technology
Our judges will be looking for those who have created innovative technology (hardware or software) that broaches new territory in some significant way and that represents progressive developments within a field for competitive advantage.
Examples of currently emerging technologies include educational technology, information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive science, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Ambassador/Entrepreneur of the Year
This award gives credit to an individual who represents true pioneering advancement in digital. Quite often there is someone within a team driving things forward, predicting trends, doing things differently and getting great results.
Our judges want clear evidence why this person is a digital entrepreneur. Success can be measured in terms of new business, financials, creative output, business growth or the effect you’re having on a team or business.
Innovation, sponsored by Openreach
We’re looking for a unique design or innovation which has helped a company or organisation take a step forward in their digital journey.
The winner of this product could work in hardware or software, refining a successful product to make it even better or coming up with a great new concept from scratch. Clever ideas for bringing traditional businesses into the digital arena will also be considered.
App of the Year
Judges will be looking for a stand-out app, showing innovation, imagination and flair. The App, either a stand-alone app or interactive element to a website, should be attractive but also useful and evidence of interactivity will be expected.
Apps with either a consumer or a commercial focus can be considered and the winner should be able to demonstrate strong take-up in its target market. Successful firms should show style and flair in their design.
Best digital agency
Recognition of a digital marketing agency that has produced fantastic results and has made a positive contribution to the industry.
The judges will be looking at client wins & retention, growth, margin, team retention, development and training, innovative approaches to development, delivery or cost saving and the quality of campaigns, apps or websites delivered on behalf of clients.