Birmingham Updates has been announced as the first-ever winner of the ICNN Independent Community News Website of the Year at this year’s newsawards 2020.
The site was applauded for having a ‘very fresh clean design with no adverts but clearly labelled sponsored content. Short, snappy stories and smart revenue generation’.
This year’s news awards were cancelled due to ongoing uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
However, Prior to lockdown, a number of the 2020 categories were judged, including the first-ever ICNN Independent Community News Website of the Year award.
Birmingham Updates was set up during the 2011 riots with the aim of dispelling ‘myth and rumour in the city’.
Since then the site has grown organically to become the most engages local media channel in the region.
Birmingham Updates’ editor Oli Hills joined the team in 2017 and has paved the way to working with brands to increase their reach and engagement with their audiences.
Oli said: “It’s a huge honour to win the very first ICNN independent community news website of the year award.
“To get recognition for all of the team’s hard work is fantastic.
“It’s even more meaningful as the ICNN are a major voice for local community platforms and represent fantastic websites from all over the UK.”
Director of ICNN Emma Meese said: “Birmingham Updates is a terrific example of an innovative and forward-thinking independent community news website and they are fully deserving of this win.
“We want to add our own thanks to the site and its editor Oli Hills for the assistance they have provided to ICNN and its members during the lockdown.”
Birmingham Updates were also commended in the Outstanding Use of Social Media Award for their ‘thoughtful and interesting content. Busking Battle is pure genius.’
The Island Echo was highly commended for being a ‘very successful site with great ambition and growth plans. Investment in innovation is clearly paying off.’
And commendation also went to LymeOnline for being a great example of home-grown journalism; Brighton and Hove News for ‘a well-rounded content strategy’; Dorset Biz News for having ‘an interesting model that has gained traction very quickly. A success’; and the Lincolnite for its impressive social media strategy and great growth story.
The Awards will be resumed on Wednesday 5 May 2021, again at the Royal Lancaster Hotel London.
