Ten years ago, smartphones were only beginning to become commonplace. Social media communications were focused almost wholly on Twitter and Facebook. Companies were still coming to terms with the changes to communications strategy presented by fast-moving digital technology. It was in that context that the Digital Impact Awards were launched.

The awards have celebrated the best, most creative, effective and forward-thinking digital communications strategies ever since. Now, for the 10th year, the Digital Impact Awards is seeking the campaigns, programmes, strategies and uses of digital that set the benchmark for excellence in communications.

Andrew Thomas, publisher of Communicate magazine, says, "The past 10 years has seen tremendous change in digital corporate communications. Ten years ago, Twitter usage was a 10th of what it is today, you were four times less likely to see the term ‘influencer’ and artificial intelligence was mainly applied to chess-battling robots. These are all now standard terms in the lexicon of corporate communications professionals as they constantly seek to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with technology in the engagement of the various corporate audiences. The Digital Impact Awards has been proud to have watched that change and to have benchmarked strategic creative excellence in digital communications."

As the communications strategies themselves have evolved, so to has the awards. Categories this year include ‘Best corporate app,’ ‘Best digital rebrand,’ and ‘Best community development. A new category this year celebrates the best use of artificial intelligence. The Digital Impact Awards has also changed its brand, unveiling a new, future-facing look that will improve its own digital communications.

Last year’s winners exhibited the best in British digital communications with the Church of England taking home the ‘Digital in-house team of the year’ award and Cory Riverside Energy and Vismedia snagging the ‘Digital campaign of the year’ prize. But it was TMW Unlimited – which stole the hearts and minds of Shell employees across the UK with an emotive, effective health and safety film – that took home the ‘Grand prix’ award.

For the 2019 Digital Impact Awards, entries are being accepted until 21 June. However, those received by 10 May will see their fifth entry free and £100 off the total cost. For more information, email Lauren or call +44 (0) 20 3950 5356.

Check out the past winners of the Digital Impact Awards.

The categories are:

Deliverables
Best corporate website
Best corporate app
Best use of SEO for corporate communications
Best use of mobile and portable devices
Best use of digital to aid a CSR campaign
Best digital rebrand 
Best use of online video
Best corporate viral campaign
Best digital communication as part of an integrated campaign

Best use of artificial intelligence

Social media
Best use of existing social media platforms
Small budget – <£20k
Medium budget – £20k-£75k
Large budget – £75K+
Best development of proprietary social media platform and tools
Best community development

Best use of digital to an internal audience
Best intranet
Best digital employee communication

Best use of digital to an investment audience
Best online annual report

Best use of digital to aid media relations
Best online newsroom

Evaluation
Best evaluation strategy

Best use of digital by sector
Charity, NGO or NFP
Education
Energy & utilities
Engineering & manufacturing
Extraction (oil, gas & mining)
Financial services
FMCG 
Food & beverage
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
Industrial and basic materials 
Professional services
Property
Public
Retail
Technology, media and telecommunications
Transport and logistics
Travel, leisure and tourism

Please note the below categories cannot be entered directly. 
Digital campaign of the year 
Digital agency of the year
Digital in-house team of the year