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Head-to-head to find the best on the web [Newcastle Journal (England)](Newcastle Journal (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE North-East companies that have used web technology to best effect will go head-to-head at this year's North East Business Awards. The Digital and Social Media award - formerly Internet & ICT - highlights the great innovators that have used digital including e- commerce and e-business to boost their performances. Cramlington-based company The Bazaar Group, which is the UK's leading designer, manufacturer and online retailer of bean bags, took the title last year. From its beginnings as a small-scale eBay trader, the family-run business launched its dedicated website in 2005 with 50 products. It now sells more than 700 units from multiple digital storefronts. As a specialist bean bag and soft furnishings designer, The Bazaar Group sets itself apart from its high street competitors through online presentation, product quality and innovation. It has a UK, German, French and Spanish customer base, including UK education establishments and international educational catalogue companies. Mark Dolder, owner and managing director of the company, described winning the accolade as a 'real landmark' for the business. "We are a family-run business that has maintained a 'small company, big thinking' attitude. This has allowed us to make great strides in the last 12 months with our successful entry into the European market and the educational market. The business has grown steadily with no outside investment consistently achieving turnover growth of 20% year on year since its inception in 2005. Mr Dolder added: "From launch, the business' ambition was to grow from an eBay trader to a national leader in the bean bag market. We are now repositioning as a business that trades online and offline. And we are setting ourselves ambitious targets, such as creating new jobs." THE SPONSORS The awards are in association with NECC and sponsored by a whole host of companies and organisations. The sheer quality and the blue-chip nature of the sponsors enhances the prestige and gravitas of the awards. For more information on the significant benefits and to become a sponsor, contact Sue Coulson, head of regional events on 0191 201 6072. THE JUDGING Each award has a separate judging panel with an appropriate chairperson, nominated by the award sponsor. The decision of each judging panel is final and, while every effort will be made to give feedback to entrants, no specific correspondence will be entered into. THE DINNERS Tyneside & Northumberland Business Awards - February 26, 2015, at The Marriott Hotel, Gosforth. Durham & Wearside Business Awards - March 12, 2015, at Ramside Hall, Durham. Teesside Business Awards - March 26, 2015, at The Olympia Building, Teesside University. North East Business Awards Regional Final - April 23, 2015, at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield. THE CATEGORIES Company of the Year - spon-sored by Deloitte, Port of Tyne and Sunderland City Council. Small Business Award - sponsored by Bernicia, FW Capital and University of Sunderland. Export Award - sponsored by UKTI and Port of Sunderland. Innovation Award - spon-sored by Newcastle University Business School, GE Oil & Gas and Tees Valley Business Compass. Digital and social media." Award - sponsored by Sintons Law Firm, Accenture and Teesside University. Newcomer of the Year Award - sponsored by Virgin Money. Heart of the Community Award - sponsored by Derwentside Homes and Alex Smiles Ltd. Green Award - Opportunity to Sponsor. Manufacturing Award - sponsored by University of Sunderland, ABB Consulting & Business Durham. Apprenticeship Award - sponsored by Esh Group and Nifco UK Ltd. Let's Grow Award - spon-sored by FW Capital, University of Sunderland, Newcastle International Airport and Swinburne Maddison LLP. Services Award - sponsored by Npower and Middlesbrough College. Not-for-profit Organisation of the Year (regional final only) - sponsored by Gentoo. Best Creative Business (regional final only) - Opportunity to Sponsor. Some of the above categories are fully sponsored. However, opportunities are still available for certain categories. HOW TO ENTER Companies and organisations can enter a maximum of three separate categories. Entries must relate to activity during 2014. Do you know of a company who deserves an award? Let us know about it. Awards are open to companies of all sizes and organisations with a significant presence in any of the subregions. The closing date for entries is 5pm, Tuesday January 6, 2015. Nominations can be made online at www.nebusinessawards.co.uk. Queries can be answered by Sue Coulson, head of regional events, ncjMedia Ltd, Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED, or 0191 2016072 or sue. [email protected] INNOVATIVE USE OF SOCAL MEDIA NEWCASTLE law firm Sintons is sponsoring the Digital & Social Media award. The firm's specialist lawyers work with organisations of all sizes from an array of sectors across the region and beyond, advising on all aspects of their online business, from brand protection to how to establish an e-commerce operation. Karen Simms, Head of Corporate and Commercial, said: "Digital and social media plays an everincreasing role in today's world, and its widespread use has redefined the way in which we communicate and do business. "It allows businesses to engage with their clients and customers like never before, and enables even the smallest operation to truly rival the big players through dynamic use of their online presence and social media." UNI WORLD-RENOWNED TEESSIDE University is founded on a rich past with over 80 years' experience of innovation in education since it opened as Constantine College in 1930. It is the first and only modern university to win the Times Higher Education's UK University of the Year award. With a world- renowned reputation and expertise in digital media and digital technology, Teesside University has played a key role in leading and supporting sector development and enterprise. It has also created hundreds of companies and jobs through its work with business and start-ups from software companies through to social enterprises. The university has a proven track record of delivering digital innovation in everything from undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, to DigitalCity, which is the home of ideas, graduate talent and academic expertise. Since 2008, through DigitalCity, Teesside University has helped to create 228 new jobs in digital industries and 203 new businesses. It has been described by Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills as 'Britain's best university for working with business'. A FULL RANGE OF IT SERVICES GLOBAL management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company Accenture is sponsoring this year's North East Business Awards overall final Digital & Social Media category. Accenture has been operating in the North-east for almost 20 years and its North-east delivery centre is located at the Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside. This facility is part of Accenture's global network of delivery centres, and offers a full range of IT services to many clients. Accenture's North-east Managing Director, Bob Paton, said: "As a technology company with a strong heritage in the North-east we are delighted to be sponsoring the Digital and Social Media category. "Technology companies are increasingly choosing to base themselves in the North-East." 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