Following on from the success of this year’s inaugural How-Do Awards, we are pleased to confirm that the 2009 event will be held on Thursday 30 April at Old Trafford/MUFC.
It seems that the 570 or so guests at the inaugural dinner felt that, in a world of awards, the ‘How-Dos’ were different in that they uniquely brought together for the first time ever, an awards ceremony which cut across and celebrated the very best of the region’s rapidly converging media and creative sectors – rather than focus on one individual sector.
The dinner will once again be compered by Jim Hancock and we will be releasing further information about the evening’s line-up in the coming weeks.
We are fortunate that we’ve been able to retain our acclaimed panel of judges for year two which not only helps maintain continuity but helps ensure that the credibility of the How-Do Awards remains literally second to none. Wherever a possible conflict of interest might arise, the individual judge will refrain from voting in that particular category. More detailed information on our outstanding panel of judges can be found towards the end of this article.
MediaCityUK and How-Do agree three year partnership
We are also particularly delighted to announce that MediaCityUK has signed up to be the How-Do Awards headline sponsor for the next three years.
Mark Radcliffe - 2008's 'Personality'
MediaCityUK is likely to be at the heart of many of the region’s most dynamic and newsworthy developments over the next few years and Paul Newman, head of communications at MediaCityUK, said: “There is a natural fit between MediaCityUK and How-Do in relation to this initiative.
"The event this year was excellent and the Awards successfully tie in a very wide range of the media constituencies we will be engaging with over the coming years.”
We will be announcing the call for entries in January with a deadline date for submission of early March. As with this year, there will be no charge to submit an entry.
Information on the award categories and judges follows – but in the meantime, put 30 April 2009 in your diary…
How-Do Awards 2009 - categories and sponsors
All award categories will relate to 2008 performance
Alice Morrison, chief executive Northwest Vision and Media. Alice started her career in journalism on an entertainment magazine in Dubai and subsequently helped launch BBC News24 before plumping for a change of career with a switch to a leading Lancashire ISP, prior to joining NWVM.
Alison Hastings, former editor and currently an adviser to various bodies including Camelot. Probably best-known currently as the BBC Trustee responsible for England. Edited the Newcastle Evening Chronicle from 1996 to 2002 before relocating to Liverpool. Former columnist on UK Press Gazette and can be frequently heard and seen as a media pundit on radio and TV. A member of the Society of Editors and an adviser to the Press Complaints Commission.
Anthony Taylor, head of external communications at £2bn turnover Littlewoods Shop Direct and former head of media at the General Medical Council. Began his career at a PR agency in Manchester and subsequently worked in London and the Turks and Caicos Islands before moving back to his native North West.
Gordon Burns, TV presenter. Began his career as a print journalist before moving into broadcasting as a news presenter on Ulster TV. Presented the Krypton Factor for 18 years until 1995 and has been the award-winning anchorman on the BBC’s North West Tonight programme since 1997.
Iain Bennett is the sector leader for digital and creative industries at the NWDA where he is responsible for strategy and development of Europe’s second largest cluster of creative and digital companies. He was previously a theatrical agent and subsequently a founder of a new media design agency. In 2002 he joined London Metropolitan University as managing director of its new media training company.
Jim Hancock, journalist, presenter and political commentator for over 30 years. He was Granada TV’s political correspondent from 1987 to 1994 and political editor of the BBC North West from 1998 to 2006. Has recently reappeared on Granada and can also be found chairing conferences for bodies such as the NWDA, CBI and the IoD.
Karen Gee, general manager of the Kuoni-owned travel company Journeys of Distinction. Was previously sales and marketing director at Shearings Leisure in Wigan. Since graduating in International Marketing, Karen has specialised in the travel and leisure industry, working for companies including Airtours, First Choice, Flying Colours, Universal Studios Florida and Sky Travel.
Martin Anderson, ad agency BDH's last chairman and one of the most prominent figures in the region’s advertising community over recent years. Spent most of his career at what was BDH (now TBWA) where he became creative director in 1978. Moved across to account management in 1988 and became MD in 1992 and chairman in 1996. Was chairman of IPA regions 1994 to 1996 and served on the IPA council in London for 15 years.
Mike Hackett is the managing director of Principles Agency, one of the largest independent ad agencies outside London. Mike joined Principles as an executive in 1988. Progressing through the ranks, he became the youngest person to be elected to the Principles board. Having been creative services director, he then spent a number of years as the agency’s commercial director. In 2006 he was appointed managing director. Leeds-based Principles has a turnover of c£24m.
Paul Newman, head of communications at MediaCityUK and previously in charge of Liverpool Culture Company's PR and public affairs team overseeing Liverpool ’08. Prior to promoting Liverpool as European Capital of Culture, Paul was director of communications at the Football Association in London. Prior to joining the FA, he spent 20 years as a broadcaster working for BBC News and Sky News, ITV in addition to covering the first Gulf War for TV-am.
Philip Graf CBE, former chief executive of Trinity Mirror and currently deputy chairman of Ofcom, a partner with the executive coaching firm Praesta Partners and a NED with Archant. Philip is also a trustee of the homeless charity Crisis. A Cambridge law graduate, Graf joined the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo in 1983 and became chief executive of what was then Trinity in 1993. Led the acquisition of the Mirror Group in 1999 and subsequently became the chief executive of the enlarged company. In 2003 he was asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to carry out a review of the BBC's online activities.
Sally Sykes left AstraZeneca to join DePuy as a board director in March but has recently moved back across the Pennines to take up a role as head of communications at the Health and Safety Executive in Bootle. Previous roles with Ciba-Geigy, Scottish & Newcastle, Littlewoods and Manchester Airport. Sally is on the national executive and board of the CIPR and was rated by “PR Week” in 2006 as one of the 50 most influential UK PR practitioners.
If you would like to register an early interest in taking tickets or tables at the dinner or are interested in discussing sponsorship opportunities, please email nick@how-do.co.uk
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