A PAST winner is stepping up as a category sponsor in the eagerly-anticipated Examiner Business Awards.
Fantastic Media, based at Birstall, was among the trophy winners at the 2007 awards – with managing director Andy Hobson named Young Business Person of the Year and the company taking the title of New Business of the Year.
Now Fantastic Media is sponsoring the Young Business Person of the Year category in the 2008 awards.
The category is open to people aged under 35 working in business or running their own company.
In making their choice, the judges were looking for outstanding individuals who have had a demonstrable effect on their business through their hard work and dedication.
Fantastic Media, which was founded by Mr Hobson, employs 25 people and offers clients a full strategic and creative marketing service which includes corporate identity, brand building, advertising, design, public relations, e-business and new media.
Mr Hobson began his career with Tarmac Facilities Management in London looking after such brands as the Arrows F1 racing team and national sandwich chain Prêt a Manger.
In 1993, he was invited to work for another company to help develop and manage accounts mainly in the sports industry.
He worked with such ‘brands’ as David Beckham, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer before being assigned to Italian football club Sampdoria to help boost stadium revenues.
Mr Hobson later worked on Bolton Wanderers’ £38m Reebok Stadium scheme in the run-up to its opening in 1997.
Mr Hobson said he was delighted to sponsor the Young Business Person of the Year Award,.
He said: “It is a category that should be championed and celebrated because it is not easy cutting a groove when you are young and working in difficult markets.
“I was privileged to be nominated and to win at last year’s awards, but I understand that any of the other nominees could have made an equal claim to it.”
Said Mr Hobson: “We are working hard to run sound, successful businesses in a difficult market place.
“I would like to compliment the nominees. I was in good company as a competitor last year and I am certainly in good company as a sponsor this time.”
The winners of 11 award categories of the Examiner Business Awards – which is sponsored by law firm Chadwick Lawrence – will be revealed at a gala dinner to be held on Thursday, November 13, at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield.
The prestigious black-tie event will be hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and will feature guest speaker Paul Fletcher, former footballer and ex-Huddersfield Town chief executive, who helped mastermind the development of the Galpharm Stadium.
Guests will be entertained by the University of Huddersfield Jazz Ensemble and enjoy a drinks reception and four-course dinner.
Tickets for the night (contact 01484 437702) are £50 plus VAT.
