Ah, December. For many media folks it is a month of fat lunches and the parties. It used to be like that for me too, until we launched our Innovation Awards a couple of years ago.
Since then December has turned into a month of hardcore reading. Our in-house judging panel (me, CEO Ashley Friedlein and Research Director Linus Gregoriadis) spent the majority of the month poring over the 350+ entries, checking out sites and apps, and generally trying to make sense of things.
Last year was a great year for innovation, based on what we read. There are some amazing things going on in our industry.
The shortlist
So firstly I need to say that this shortlist could be (much) longer, but we needed to draw a line somewhere. Maximum kudos to all that have been shortlisted, and commiserations if you just missed out. Here we go...
Innovation in Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Window
Affiliate Window & myThings
Affiliate Window & Red Letter Days
Arena Quantum
buy.at & Coull
Top10.com
Innovation in B2B Marketing
Candytech with Socialbakers
Hiscox
Reed Business Information
TradeDoubler and SceneStealer for Dell SMB
Innovation in E-commerce
BroadView
Crystal Ski
Gloople
Kiddicare
SciVisum
Shutl
WinBuyer
Innovation in Email Marketing
Air New Zealand
Argos Ltd
e-Dialog and British Airways
Haven Holidays
smartFOCUS
Innovation in Mobile Marketing
Golley Slater Digital
Incentivated
Marks & Spencer/ Mobile Interactive Group
SapientNitro
Innovation in Multichannel Marketing
Dyson Ltd
Flightglobal - part of Reed Business Information
Indicia
Jessops
Nectar, Groupe Aeroplan
Rough Guides
SapientNitro
Innovation in Online Customer Service
Gatwick Airport
Netflights
Philips Consumer Lifestyle
Reevoo
Rosetta Stone
Innovation in Online Marketing Research or Customer Insight
Bazaarvoice
Direct Line & Foolproof
Intrepid - An Alterian Company and CNN International
Innovation in Online PR
SEO-PR
Stickyeyes
Innovation in Paid Search Marketing
Clicks2Customers and Real Life Insurance
DC Storm
iProspect Malaysia
Net Media Planet Limited
Stickyeyes
Innovation in Rich Media and Video
Adform
BroadView
Buto
Dyson
Gravity London
Redweb
YuMe
Innovation in SEO / Natural Search
Arena Quantum
Linkdex Limited
Propellernet
Searchmetrics GmbH
Stickyeyes
Innovation in Social Media
Buddy Media
Jimmy Choo and FreshNetworks
NixonMcInnes
Swiftcover.com
Welcome to Yorkshire
Innovation in User Experience
Box UK
ExactTarget
Fortune Cookie
lastminute.com
Solve Media
Innovation in Web Analytics
AdInsight Limited
ClearSaleing, Inc
myThings
Napkyn Inc.
Tealeaf
Innovation in Web Content Management
BBC Future Media and Technology
Lloyd's of London
SpiraHellic Multimedia
Sunday Publishing
Most Innovative Digital Agency
Adjust Your Set
Essence
FreshNetworks
Mediastation
mexad Ltd.
Redweb
Rockfish
Most Innovative Digital Marketing Team
Essence
first direct
LBi/bigmouthmedia
TradeDoubler (The Publisher Team)
TUI SKI
Most Innovative New Technology
Fontdeck
Greenlight
HookLogic and Kiddicare
LOVEFiLM UK Ltd
Monetate, Inc.
SapientNitro
Most Innovative Online Advertising Campaign
Cisco
Essence
Hiscox
Trinity Communications (UK) Ltd & New Look
Most Innovative Use of Data
Auto Trader Mobile
Barclays Bank PLC
Kiddicare
Monetate, Inc.
Netflights
NixonMcInnes
Stickyeyes
Who wins?
There is a final judging phase, which involves our expert panel. The shortlisted entries will be analysed by smart people at innovative companies such as the BBC, Mercedes-Benz, Dell, Telefonica (O2), Dupont, BT, Net-a-Porter, Mindshare, bigmouthmedia, SMAC, and Newsforce.
In addition we have asked a number of thought leaders – including Paul Boag, Sam Decker and Ian Jindal – to cast their eyes over the shortlisted few. And after that we’ll be able to announce the winners. Expect an announcement within a fortnight.
The dinner
There will be a Winner’s Dinner taking place on Wednesday 9 February in a lovely restaurant in central London. Winners will receive complimentary tickets as part of their prize. Otherwise seats (limited) cost £195+VAT, to include food, drink and assorted merriment. Email to reserve your place. Priority will be given to winners and those on the shortlist, though all entrants are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.
Once again, bad luck to those that missed out this year. Judging innovation is not without its difficulties but the bar is being raised ever higher, and we believe those on the shortlist are worthy of their place and represent true innovation. Fingers crossed if you've made the shortlist...
Chris Lake is Director of Product Development at Econsultancy, an entrepreneur and a long-term internet fiend. Follow him on Twitter, Google+ or connect via Linkedin.
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12:50PM on 6th January 2011
illustrations would have been nice
2:05PM on 9th January 2011
Good luck everyone!
12:56PM on 13th January 2011
Good luck to everyone, really looking forward to winners being announced.