THE hunt is on for North East companies which can show they are the best in the business when it comes to using digital technology.

The Big Chip Awards 2012, which is looking for entries from across the North of England, have been launched with backing from The Journal as well as the North East’s leading digital industry sector group Codeworks.

The call for entries is to digital companies and creative agencies and any organisation or business which has undertaken digital initiatives in the past year – everything from a company website to digital marketing to an iPhone app.

This year, entries will be accepted for projects under way for more than a year but have achieved important milestones in the past year, thus opening up the awards to ventures that take longer to show their best results.

A new category is – Best Use of Gaming – acknowledges the growing importance of games and gaming techniques in digital work.

Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “We are delighted to be the media partner for the Big Chip Awards.

“The digital and creative sector is of huge importance to the regional economy and these awards are a great chance for firms to not only showcase their excellence but compete against similar businesses in other parts of the North.

“I am sure companies in region will see the awards as a real opportunity to spread the message about their products, services and achievements.

“The Big Chip Awards not only showcase excellence in digital technology and business in our regions, but also bring companies and clients together right across the North in a spirit of collaboration and commerce.”

The event is organised by the trade association Manchester Digital working with other bodies across the North including Codeworks. Journal publisher Trinity Mirror has signed a partnership with the awards which also will see some of its other North papers including the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Post back the awards.