The Golden Globes, The Oscars, The Razzies, and on, and on...New Year, new awards season. And the call for entries for Big Chip 2009 awards, for digital businesses in the North West, is now open.

Time to fill out those application forms, whittle down the list of thank you's to the barest minimum.

"Wait, sorry, this is so unexpected. Gather. Oh, I can't carry on...too emotional...this is what Manchester Digital, the organisers have to say.."

Traditionally, at least for the last couple of years, Chinwag Live has finished the year be peering ahead five years into the future of the digital world in a session entitled Xmas Futures, Crystal Balls.

The panel was chaired by Richard Titus (Head of User Experience, BBC Future Media and Technology) and featured Jonathan Mitchener (Futurologist, BT), Simon Collister (Head of Digital, Consumer Practice, Weber Shandwick), Jamie Coomber (Head of Digital Strategy, Profero), Neville Hobson, Ewan Macleod (Founder & Editor, Mobile Industry Review).

Following the shortlist announced a couple weeks back, congrats are due to the winners of e-consultancy's first Innovation Awards, that were announced last week.

The tougher climate of 2009 will really test the mettle of the industry's innovation. Sink or innovate?

Innovation in Affiliate Marketing

A quick plea for help and a 20 second diversion on a Friday afternoon.