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MPA Inspiration Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist for the 2014 MPA ‘Inspiration’ awards, in partnership with Out There Events, has been released.

The MPA, the North West’s leading creative and media, not-for-profit membership organisation enlisted industry leaders from across the creative sectors to judge the entries and compile a shortlist, which includes a variety of talent from across the region.

Agencies including TBWA, Stein IAS, BJL, MC2, MEC, theEword, MediaCom and Havas PR UK are all in the running, alongside production companies and media houses including Flipbook, Carbon Digital, Boardwalk Studio, MEN, Hearst Magazines, Bauer Media, IPC Media and the Guardian, to name but a few.

Categories consist of a variety of sector and ‘people’ focused awards, combined with categories for the ‘Next Big Thing’, ‘International’ campaign and a ‘Best in Class’ grand prix award, as well as new categories such as ‘Giving’.

Cindy Simmons, MPA managing director, said: “The buzz around the awards this year has been fantastic and the desire to be recognised by the best and brightest in the business has clearly spread. Our entry rate has increased on our initial launch year and the calibre of submissions has been exceptional.”

“The judges have had a particularly difficult task in creating this year’s shortlist but the stage is now set for what promises to be an exciting celebration of creativity and excellence from across the North West.”

Entries were judged by a select panel of industry experts including Gill Barr – group marketing director, the Co-operative group, Ruth Ashford – dean of Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and pro vice-chancellor, Jodi Birkett – Deloitte media and telecoms partner, Danny Brooke-Taylor – owner, Lucky Generals, Martin Bryant – editor-in-chief, The Next Web, Christine Cort – managing director, Manchester International Festival, Clive Drinkwater – regional director, UKTI, Mark Hollinshead – chief operating officer, Trinity Mirror, Jeff Howarth – group marketing director, Manchester Airports Group, Francis Ingham – director general, PRCA, Andy Lovatt – managing director, The White Room, Jane Luca – controller of external affairs, ITV, Paul Newman – director of communications, MediaCityUK/Peel Group, Simon Redican – RAB, Stephen Robertson – chair, Business West and Any Waters – head of studios, Dock 10

The ceremony will be held on Thursday 18th September at Gorton Monastery.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .