Publishers defy Covid to deliver smash hit awards event
Aycliffe Business editor Martin Walker (far left)
with the team that helped to deliver the Tees
Tech Awards (left to right): Recognition PR’s
AV consultant Jordan Le Bron, Recognition
managing director Graham Robb, awards host
John Foster, Resolution’s events manager Julie
Burniston, Recognition AV co-ordinator Robin
Campbell and Resolution director Dave Allan.
Aycliffe Business’s sister publication, Tees
Business, celebrated the launch of the
Tees Tech Awards in August – with
the virtual event being streamed as live on
YouTube.
Thousands of people tuned into the
inaugural event, which was designed to
champion the Tees Valley’s tech and digital
sector.
It was organised by Resolution Media
and Publishing – the team behind Tees
Business – and Aycliffe Business editor Martin
Walker, with his business partner Dave
Allan, in association with DigitalCity and
Middlesbrough Digital.
More than 90 entries were sent in for 11
different categories, and the event was due to
be held at Wynyard Hall in April.
But due to Covid restrictions, the
organisers had to take the event online – with
Darlington-based Recognition PR helping
them to film it, and stream it on YouTube.
The show was hosted by former BBC Tees
presenter John Foster, with the shortlisted
candidates for each category dialling in via
Zoom as each award sponsor revealed the
winners.
A unique judging system meant even the
sponsors didn’t know the winner of their
award until they opened the envelope during
the online ceremony.
All category sponsors scored the award
entries, and those with the highest scores won,
making it a truly democratic system.
As part of the event, 150 goodie bags were
TECH THAT!
sent to “guests”, including a glass of prosecco
(the welcome drink), a small bottle of wine,
chocolates and an official programme.
Guests were also sent Domino’s pizzas,
delivered by Wynyard-based franchise Racz
Group, which owns the Aycliffe outlet of the
Domino’s chain.
Martin Walker said: “We re-wrote and
ripped up the script for the Tees Tech Awards
a number of times – it was a huge challenge as
guidelines around public gatherings changed.
“But it was appropriate that technology
saved the Tees Tech Awards, as we used online
tech and Recognition PR’s fantastic media
facilities to deliver them.
“Ultimately, we decided the awards had
to go ahead in whatever format. We created
them to celebrate a thriving sector, with more
than 90 businesses taking the time to enter, so
we were committed to delivering them.
“It was a resounding success. The live
stream had around 800 views on YouTube, but
many businesses arranged their own sociallydistanced
gatherings – one of the sponsors
even hired a function room for their 20
guests! – so we estimate the number of people
who watched it live to be around 2,000.
“We were delighted with both the event
itself, and the positive reaction from the
business community.”
Taking the coveted Company of the Year
trophy – sponsored by headline sponsors
DigitalCity and Middlesbrough Digital – was
Middlesbrough-based pay-per-click specialists
Mabo who impressed judges with their unique
methods, flourishing worldwide reputation
and increased workforce.
The Business Leader accolade, sponsored
by Punch Robson Solicitors, went to Lee
Hutchinson who has led the growth of Double
Eleven into one of the region’s biggest game
development studios, employing 85 people.
Animmersion’s Dom Lusardi secured
the Tech Ambassador title, sponsored by
Cornerstone Business Solutions, while other
worthy winners were Code 4000 who won
the Tech For Good category, sponsored by
Domino’s Teesside.
Appamondo claimed the Davies Traceysponsored
Tech Exporter Award, Wander
Film’s Chloe Clover was Rising Star in the
Middlesbrough College-sponsored category,
while Everflow Water took the top spot in the
Digital Transformation category, sponsored by
Baldwin’s Group.
Kraken IM won the Small Business
category, sponsored by Jacksons Law Firm,
while Salesfire triumphed in two categories –
Innovation (sponsored by Tracerco) and Best
Newcomer (sponsored by Recognition PR).
Calm Digital and Intasite were worthy
winners of the Tech Partnership trophy,
sponsored by Communicate Technology PLC.
Full details of the awards and reaction is at
teesbusiness.co.uk
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