Newsletter Article

The Event

Over 400 of the regions senior business leaders and guests attended a colourful evening to celebrate the region’s creative talents.

The Creative East Awards has been held in the county for the second consecutive year, and showcases the region’s best designers, film-makers, photographers and architects. The event was originally created to celebrate, recognise and reward the county’s finest creative talents and has developed into an annual regional event.

Hosted by Clive Anderson, veteran TV presenter and comedian, the awards ceremony was held at the Theatre Royal, Norwich.

The Creative Economy

Richard Cox, director of the Creative East Awards and the Creative Industries Co-ordinator for Shaping Norfolk’s Future said:

"These awards have been made possible by the vision of Norfolk County Council, firstly in recognising the value of the creative industries as a driver of this county's economy, and secondly in encouraging the East of England to see them as regional.

"We hear much trumpeting of the fact that the UK economy is growing at 2.2 percent, but creative industries are growing at an astonishing 6.6 percent. They are the dynamic driver at the heart of economic growth."

"These awards change attitudes and build profile. We need to be seen as the home of creative and cultural excellence. If we do not, the creative economy in this region will continue to struggle against a stereotypical image."

Norfolk Winners

The Works won the award for best advertising campaign, The Big 3, an integrated promotion to drive more visitors to three regional attractions, including Banham Zoo.

Jodie Cole, of Wymondham-based Naked Marketing, was named Trainee of the Year, and Richard Hughes, of Norwich-based Iceni images, took the award for best commercial photography.

Norwich-based television producer Granada Anglia won best broadcast production for its series on Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Simon Newton - ITV Anglia Suffolk reporter - was named Journalist of the Year.

He said: "I think the value of regional journalism, in all its forms, shone through, and this award recognises not just my own efforts but everyone at Anglia News in producing such comprehensive coverage."