Irish Examiner among winners at #DigitalCork14

The Irish Examiner’s innovative use of social media was rewarded at the inaugural Cork Digital Marketing Awards today.

The digital team were recognised with the 'Best Use of Twitter' award at a gala lunch hosted by KC, Programme Director of RedFM in the Kingsley Hotel. The other nominees in the category were Fota Wildlife Park, the Clarion Hotel, the Bishopstown Bar, Cork Airport and RedFM.

Oh yeah, that's us. Proud day for our little parish @irishexaminer #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/IxDTOblIk3

— Greg Murphy 🤓 (@TheGregMurphy) November 6, 2014

Expressing his delight at the award Dolan O'Hagan, the Irish Examiner's executive editor, thanked all those who have connected with the Irish Examiner's journalism via social media and praised the work of the Cork Chamber Business School in highlighting the positive role that social media can play in all types of business.

"For any media company social media must be a central part of the wider editorial offering because it provides an invaluable way of connecting with our readers and showcasing the journalism we provide on a daily basis - both in print and online.

"At the end of the day our readers and our journalism are at the core of what we do and social media speaks perfectly to both."     

Congrats @dolanohagan @TheGregMurphy @whatrobdidnext @SteveNeville_ & all at @irishexaminer for best use of Twitter!! pic.twitter.com/0nc6gp8GkR

— Denise O'Donoghue (@deniseodonoghue) November 6, 2014

Almost 300 applications for the Digital Marketing Awards were received by Cork Chamber. "We were delighted to receive nearly 300 applications from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry in the inaugural Cork Digital marketing Awards 2014 for consideration in ten different categories," said Norma Lynch, Cork Chamber Business School Manager.

Damien Mulley of Mulley Communications says the quality of the entrants were impressive. "The quality of entries really impressed the judges and Cork businesses can learn a lot from the finalists and those who made the short lists."

"One of the main objectives of the awards was to recognise the digital achievements of Cork businesses who are doing extraordinarily well in the digital world," said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.

“It was wonderful to see that finalists represented start-ups, SMEs and Corporates and it shows that businesses of all sizes are embracing digital and participating in the digital economy, which is integral to Cork’s competiveness.”

#DigitalCork14 was the top Twitter trend in Ireland, out performing the hugely popular Web Summit, taking place in the RDS, Dublin.

Trending above other events #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/ZuNuSX4Bp9

— Darren Gale (@DarrenGale_1) November 6, 2014

THE 10 BUSINESSES AWARDED FOR INNOVATIVE DIGITAL MARKETING WERE:

- Best Website - with less than 20 employees: Hairybaby

Just won 'Best Website' at the #digitalcork14 awards. We're flippin' delighted so we are. Fancy trophy too! pic.twitter.com/3Zlr65F6X5

— Hairy Baby Irish T-Shirts (@HairyBabyTees) November 6, 2014

- Best website - with more than 20 employees: Castlemartyr Resort

#digitalcork14 exciting day! @CorkChamber @HopkinsComms @hostandcompany pic.twitter.com/grA788ehao

— Castlemartyr Resort (@CastlemartyrRes) November 6, 2014

- Best use of Facebook - with less than 20 employees: EIL Ireland

What a day! Delighted to have won “Best Use of Facebook” at the first ever #DigitalCork2014 Awards! @CorkChamber <TOD pic.twitter.com/ujRlFr2FVl

— EIL / AFS Ireland (@EILIreland) November 6, 2014

- Best use of Facebook - with more than 20 employees: Hayfield Manor

Thank you @CorkChamber @corkbizschool @KingsleyHotel for hosting a great event today. #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/Ez2K68j3Kv

— Hayfield Manor Hotel (@HayfieldManor) November 6, 2014

- Best use of Video: Irish Made Gifts

Winner @irishmadegifts #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/39zAS071nT

— Damïeñ Múlley 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇵🇸 (@damienmulley) November 6, 2014

- Best Digital Marketing by a Sole Trader: On the QT

We won!! Can't believe it! Still shaking with the shock!! Thank you everybody @CorkChamber @corkbizschool @CorkChamber #digitalcork14

— OnTheQT (@OnTheQTie) November 6, 2014

- Best Digital marketing by an SME: EazyCity

We won!! #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/ahjJDMHLCh

— Julia Lynes (@JuliaEazyCity) November 6, 2014

- Best Digital Marketing by a Corporate: Laya Healthcare

Best Digital Marketing by a corporate...and the winner is @LayaHealthcare #digitalcork14

— Cork Chamber (@CorkChamber) November 6, 2014

- Best Zero Budget Digital Marketing Campaign: Essential French

Félicitations to @NatashaLynchEF Essential French @PetitTweetCork who won an award at @corkbizschool #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/JsMyQTbuKy

— EnterpriseEuropeCork (@EEN_Cork) November 6, 2014

- Best use of Twitter: Irish Examiner

#digitalcork14 award for @irishexaminer. You know who you are and thanks:) *smiles* pic.twitter.com/9gG0I5yZy4

— Dolan O'Hagan (@dolanohagan) November 6, 2014

The overall Grand Prix Digital Marketing 2014 winner was EazyCity.

Congratulations to all finalists and winners.

Well that's one for the history books. Congrats @irishexaminer and a big thank you to @kcredfm #digitalcork14 pic.twitter.com/qa2rGAv80S

— Greg Murphy 🤓 (@TheGregMurphy) November 6, 2014