The finalists of the 2023 Northern Ireland Social Media Awards in partnership with the Corner Bakery have been announced after a record number of over 400 entries were received from a range of industries including tourism, education, healthcare, education, charity and retail.

The shortlists span from local small businesses including Ooh & Aah Cookies, Rinka Dink Studio, Nugelato, Stories Parfum and Orto Pizzabar to the Odyssey Trust & Belfast Giants, Belfast Zoo, Hastings Hotels, South Eastern Trust, Invest Northern Ireland, Liberty IT, Linwoods Health Foods, Kingsbridge Healthcare Group and charitable organisations including Guide Dogs NI, AWARE NI, Little Forget Me Nots Trust and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.

The awards are organised by two of Northern Ireland’s leading award-winning digital marketers and industry mentors, Niamh Taylor of Digital 24 and Caroline O’Neill of Digg Mama and Digg For Success, and aim to celebrate the best in social media marketing across various sectors including the individuals, organisations, businesses and agencies who are creating inspiring content and using social media positively.

Caroline O’Neill, NI Social Media Awards co-founder said: “The NI Social Media Awards are now in their third year and the response has once again exceeded our expectations. The quality of entries has been incredible and every single one has showcased the transformative power of social media and demonstrated how businesses, organisations and charities have excelled in areas including global reach, organic growth and metric-driven strategies. The supporting evidence has shown how people across Northern Ireland are using social media marketing to transform and grow their businesses, create jobs and use their platforms for good which made it very difficult for our independent panel of judges to select the winners.”

Martin Booth, Managing Director of Corner Bakery said: “The esteemed panel of independent judges comprise leaders in the social media marketing industry from global brands including Ryanair, Ebay, NEOM Organics London and JD Sports Fashion. Each judge said they were blown away by the calibre of the entries and that every single entrant should be very proud of the work they are doing. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted and we look forward to seeing you at the social event of the year on Saturday 7th October.”

Individual category partners include Bedeck, Bellamianta, BNL Productions, Digg For Success, Digital Twenty Four, Fiona Brown Communications, Kobault, MAD Colour, Podglamping Ireland, Starview Hot Tubs, Todd’s Leap, Ulster University, United Wines. Charity Partner is Action Cancer. Media Partners are Belfast Live and Q Radio.

For the full list of finalists or to purchase tickets for the NI Social Media Awards gala event on Saturday 7th October in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast go to www.nisocialmediaawards.com