We're celebrating after picking up the trophy for Cultural and Creative Business at the annual Journal North East Business Awards.

The event saw the cream of the North East business community come together yesterday (May 24th) for a special award ceremony at Sedgefield's Hardwick Hall addressed by Guest Speaker, Environment Secretary and MP for South Shields, David Miliband.

The awards, now in their seventh year and increasingly competitive, are highly regarded as a benchmark of which companies are leading the way in innovation and dynamism in the North East with TH_NK up against other successful enterprises in their category such as the B Group and Dinamic Ceramics.

Factors which ensured we scooped the award included our ongoing support and sponsorship of BALTIC which saw us bring a digital dimension to the centre's first major international urban art exhibition, Spank the Monkey - enabling people to experience art in new and challenging ways through technology.

Testimony to our continued investment in our employee development and working culture was also a deciding factor following its recent move to new state of the art office space at 55 Degrees North and IIP accreditation. Finally, our development of a revolutionary internal process geared to developing the most innovative ideas also impressed the judging panel.

This recent accolade comes hot on the heels of a host of awards earned by TH_NK in 2006 as well as a succession of high profile new business wins and exceptional company growth. Among 2006' awards Managing Director Tarek Nseir was named North East Young Business Executive of the year, and we were rated 'Top Interactive Agency in the North East' and 'Digital Agency of the Year' by leading industry titles NMA and The Drum respectively.

We also achieved accreditation as Investors in People at the start of this year, setting us well on the way to an even more successful 2007.

It’s really satisfying to receive this award as it represents important recognition of our hard work as well as the innovative steps we have taken to invest in the creative culture here at TH_NK. 2006 was an outstanding year for us in many ways including our move to new office space at 55 Degrees North and 2007 is no exception as we approach our 5th Anniversary and look at how far we've come as a company.

Gary GlozierCreative Director, TH_NK

ncjMedia and Gazette Media Company regional managing director Steve Brown paid tribute to the entrants, judges and sponsors of the annual event.

“This year we've enjoyed record sponsorship support, four sell-out award dinners and, most important of all, record entry levels - with more companies than ever putting themselves forward to be judged as the best in the North East.”

“Entry levels are in fact 10% up on last year, more than 320 companies have put themselves forward and, significantly, 86% of them have done so for the first time.”
“Nothing keeps the awards fresher than getting new companies coming through.”

For further information about the North East Business Awards, visit icnewcastle.co.uk