Tribe Digital takes center stage at 25th annual Spiders Awards

The cream of the crop of Ireland’s digital industry gathered at The Round Room in Dublin’s Mansion House this evening for the 25th annual Spiders Awards, hosted by Tracey Carney. Dubbed ‘The Oscars’ of Ireland’s digital industry, the Spiders is the longest running digital awards program in Ireland. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of individuals and businesses that not only adapted, but excelled amidst a global pandemic. In all, 22 awards were presented on the night, with Dublin’s Tribe Digital named Large Agency of the Year, Belfast’s Part Three Digital taking the top prize in the Small Agency category, and Cork’s power couple, Dan and Linda Kiely, named Ireland’s Digital Heroes .

For the first time since 2019, the Spiders returned as an in-person ceremony this year, with the event sponsored by Dmac Media, Center of Excellence in Universal Design, Skoda, Skillnet Ireland, DMG Media and Acast. The evening, which was hosted by Spiders Managing Director, Tracey Carney, also included a fundraising element, with the organisers partnering with UNICEF to support the work they are doing in Ukraine.

Over the past couple of years, the Spiders – like many other events, globally – had to adapt to a changing society. Tonight’s prestigious awards ceremony acknowledged the new world we are living in and the success made through the pandemic by brilliant remote teams and campaigns. The judging panel evaluated nominations across 20 categories on the theme of ‘Driving Digital, Emerging Stronger’ and they had no easy task on their hands, due to the volume and talent of this year’s nominees.

In addition to the regular line-up, two extra accolades were added this year, in the form of Best Remote Team and the Customer Continuity Award. These awards were introduced to celebrate companies or individuals who achieved great results and emerged stronger during the global pandemic. The National Council for the Blind was named the Best Remote Team, while Flipdish took home the Best Customer Continuity title.

Scooping the top prize at the ceremony, Tribe Digital was named Large Agency of the Year and was applauded for its digital strategy across a number of campaigns carried out within the last 12 months, with a major emphasis on creativity, development, delivery and client experience .

Belfast-based Part Three Digital Ltd won the Small Agency of the Year title. Spearheaded by Hannah Nelson and Jess Orr Downey, the company proved that digital businesses can not only survive, but thrive in challenging times, with the digital marketing agency experiencing exponential growth over the last couple of years.

The Digital Hero Award went to Cork’s husband and wife duo, Dan and Linda Kiely. The pair were recognised as leaders in their field, having created a path for others to follow. They were lauded for their innovation, imagination and determination to succeed – traits that have set them apart from the pack.

The way in which companies and individuals have had to digitally adapt business and work models during the COVID-19 pandemic was a focal point at the awards ceremony. The event recognised and celebrated the creativity and achievements of businesses nationally, particularly applauding those who prevailed in spite of Covid-19 triumph.

The full list of award winners are as follows:

• Best Remote Team – National Council for the Blind Drumcondra, Dublin

• Best Customer Continuity – Flipdish Sandyford, Dublin

• Best App – Revolut London

• Best Use of Disruptive Technology – An Post Insurance Athlone, Westmeath

• Best B2B Campaign – Squaredot Dublin

• Emerging Stronger – Digital for Good Award / Not-for-Profit – GCN (Gay Community News) Dublin

• Best in Social Media – Dublin Rape Crisis Center Pluto Dublin

• Small Agency of the Year – Part Three Digital Ltd Belfast, Antrim

• Best Community Engagement by a Brand – Westport Chamber of Commerce Bold Craft Marketing Westport, Mayo

• Best B2C Campaign – Londis Dublin

• Best in Storytelling, delivered by remote team – SuperValu TBWADublin Dublin

• Diversity in Digital – Diageo – Guinness Omnicom Media Group Dublin

• Best Podcast – The Good Glow Dublin

• Digital Hero – Dan and Linda Kiely Cork

• Large Agency of the Year – Tribe Digital Dublin

• Best Integrated Media Campaign/ Strategy – Woodie’s Wolfgang Digital Dublin

• Best in Universal Design – Monaghan Institute CDG Brand Monaghan/Dublin

• Best Website – Fáilte Ireland – Discover Ireland All human Dublin

• Best eCommerce website – Likha Aesthetic Clinic WONDR – A Digital Product Practice Dublin

• Digital Transformation In Industry and Infrastructure – Sugar Rush Belfast, Antrim

• Digital Transformation Enterprise – KBC Bank Ireland National

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Spiders Awards said:

“It is wonderful to be standing here before you all this evening, and returning to live events, after two years. It is even more special to be here in the Mansion House as we celebrate the Spiders’ 25th anniversary. Tonight we recognise excellence and the outstanding creativity of Ireland’s digital ecosystem. We applaud all of you who are the driving force behind it, and who have ensured we are emerging stronger than ever, from what has been the biggest digital transformation any of us have ever seen. The digital industry in Ireland has not only survived but thrived over the last two years. Tonight, we celebrate the best of the best in Ireland’s digital industry.”