A UK-based technology-led news start-up is celebrating after winning ‘Best Digital News Start-Up’ at the European Digital Media Awards in Copenhagen.
OtherWorld was piloted in Manchester last year and used beacon technology to send highly-targeted news stories and marketing offers to people’s mobile phones, based on their location, without the need for an app.
The service received funding from Google and attracted over 50 content partners in Manchester, including Greater Manchester Police, Manchester International Festival, Manchester City Council, NHS, Trinity Mirror, Allied London and Spinningfields, Big Issue, Visit Manchester, Co-op, Manchester Histories, National Football Museum and local businesses, charities and arts venues.
It is the brainchild of Stuart Goulden and his marketing agency and start-up studio Like No Other.
“I’d like to thank all the contributors who helped make the pilot happen,” said Goulden. “This award celebrates their belief in a radical new idea and our collective ability to make it happen, putting forward a future for local news in which it can thrive once more and play an important role in the future of cities.
“Our time in Manchester proved we are onto something rather exciting and we’re now exploring where we could take it next.”
The awards recognise innovative publishers who have adopted digital media and mobile strategies to meet the major changes in how people consume news and information today. OtherWorld was praised for its ability to engage younger audiences in local news – the generation of people who love local stories but are unlikely to ever buy their local newspaper.
It is also shortlisted for International Digital Innovation of the Year at the newsawards this week. It will compete against the Guardian, Press Association, Reuters Connect, Correio (Brazil), Aftonbladet (Sweden) and others.