Shortlist creates a buzz

24 April

There were so many entries for Big Chip this year, and they were such a high standard, that the usual judging procedure couldn't cope. The website had said for a while that the shortlist would be announced on the 7th April, but it wasn't ready. Then Easter got in the way - "well" we thought, "no one will notice if we announce the list before Easter". As it turned out the judges needed the extra time anyway. By Wednesday the 15th the pressure was building. It seemed like the whole North West digital sector wanted it published now.

The usual procedure is to inform the shortlisted entrants first and leave a day or so before publishing on the website and releasing to the media. At least once the entrants know the pressure is off and we have time to organise the news release. Big Chip has always generated plenty of interest in the sector, but we have to push it with the media or they won't cover it.

In the end most shortlisted entrants were informed in a mailout on Wednesday (15th) evening. But no let up in the pressure this year: the mailout let loose a twitter storm (can you have a twitter storm?), and this caused even more impatience for publication of the list. When we finally posted the list on the Big Chip website on Thursday afternoon the news sites like How-Do and Crain's were carrying the story within hours, or perhaps even minutes.

15 March Record number of entries