Digital Marketing Mayo were thrilled to host the inaugural Blacknight Digital Marketing Mayo Awards 2019 in Knockranny House Hotel on Wednesday, October 30th.
These awards recognised businesses across the county that excel in their digital marketing. Covering multiple areas of an ever-evolving sector which includes social media, videography, blogging, websites, digital marketing campaigns, and showcasing County Mayo itself, the awards received a whopping 146 nominations for its first year. Each category was very competitive which showcases the high quality of digital marketing throughout the county.
The MC for the event, Kieran O’Malley – @GalwayPlayer – interviewed guests as they came on stage before they presented the awards and also interviewed the winners, putting them at ease as they talked about their business to an audience of over 100 people.
Up first, the Best Social Media award was presented by Aine Mc Manamon, co-founder & chair of DMM, where she gave honorable mentions to Sheer Fitness and My Colourful Past with Westport Credit Union crowned the winner.
Next, Best Digital Marketing by a Small Company was presented by John Magee from LEO Mayo, a DMM annual sponsor and while congratulating all the businesses that were nominated, he gave a special mention to Rachel’s Irish Adventures before announcing Vaughan Shoes as winners.
DMM sponsor IE Domain Registry were represented by Andrew Connolly who announced the winner of the Best Website, the second biggest category this year. This award went to LS Hair in Westport with The Lantern Chinese Ballina, Knock Shrine and BarOne all getting a special mention.
Eoin Kennedy, Founder of Congregation, announced The Little Puddins Blog as the Best Blog with honorable mentions going to the Mayo GAA Blog and Finbar Hoban Presents Amanda Mc Guinness, mum of four, two of which have Special Needs, shared her journey through this blog and uses it as a platform to educate and motivate Parents and their children; who have Special Needs.
Unfortunately as a 24/7 carer, Amanda was unable to attend the awards night but with the use of Digital Technology she was able to accept her award and say a few words over video.
Best Use of Digital Marketing by a Large Company was present by Shona Connolly, secretary of Digital Marketing Mayo where Foxford Woolen Mills were recognised for their excellent Digital Marketing presence with Carraig Donn presented with the winners awards.
Best Use of Digital Marketing to Showcase Mayo was presented by Paul Cunnane from Westnet, who sponsored this award, where he gave AMayo Photography and Mayo North honourable mentions before announcing Mulranny Tourism as the winner of this category.
Despite having fewer nominations than the more popular categories, Best Videography was actually the most closely contested category in the whole competition with The Lantern Chinese in Ballina (winners) and Westport Credit Union causing hours of debate over who the winner would be. We called in our event sponsors, Blacknight, and asked them to make the final call on this award.
When asked how they reached their decision, Conn Ó Muíneacháin, Head of Marketing at Blacknight commented that “We love them both! Mayo people are very creative! We think the Credit Union videos are fantastic, but we’ve decided to award first place to The Lantern because they use literally every selling point their restaurant has, including its lovely riverside location in the town. It’s not just the food: it’s the setting, the fireworks, the performers … everything. They are selling the experience.”
The stunning award trophies that were presented to all the winners were kindly sponsored by Sharon Kelleher at the new OK Castlebar Trophy Centre and all the photos were taken by Shutter Fever Photography.
After the awards, the Event Director & DMM member, Alastair McDermott said:
“This was our first awards event so we are thrilled to have had well over a hundred people in attendance. It was a great opportunity for Mayo businesses to network, and of course to highlight the amazing talent that we have in the county. All seven of the awards were closely contested, and we’ll be showcasing the winners and runners up on our social media over the next month.”
Digital Marketing Mayo is a voluntary organisation that provides networking and training events for business professionals, connecting them with experts, and showcasing Mayo as a hub for digital marketing talent. If you are interested in learning more about Digital Marketing Mayo and the events that they run, you can find them at www.digitalmarketingmayo.com
Blacknight Digital Marketing Mayo Awards 2019 Winners
- Best Social Media: Westport Credit Union
- Best Digital Marketing by a Small Company: Vaughan Shoes
- Best Website: LS Hair Westport
- Best Blog: Little Puddins Blog
- Best Use of Digital Marketing by a Large Company: Carraig Donn
- Best Use of Digital Marketing to Showcase Mayo: Mulranny Tourism
- Best Videography: The Lantern Chinese, Ballina
