The nominees for Niagara’s first-ever social media awards, The Socials, were announced during the weekend, fittingly through social media.
The finalists span through eight categories: top social media account, best social media campaign, best in photography, best in video, best personal blog, best in journalism, best in events and promotions and best in engagement.
Skursky Productions is one of the businesses up for outstanding videography.
Ryan Skursky, owner of Skursky Productions, said he’s not quite sure what to hope for as far as chances go, since there is so much talent involved.
“Everyone on the list is so vastly different, from film companies to a real estate brokerage, and all doing fantastic work within their field. It’s hard to really compare them all in a category for social media, so it'll be interesting to see what happens, especially when everyone uses different social media networks to get their information across.”
Matt Guarasci, creator of the Socials, said the judging criteria will be based on four main factors: creativity, originality, authenticity and engagement.
As event co-ordinator, he has also stripped his right to vote, to avoid any bias in the competition.
Guarasci said the committee members that were brought in to help curate the nominee process were blown away at the amount of talent that was showcased.
“It was tough trying to decide the top seven of each award category as there was such a wide variety of talent,” he said.
The final award ceremony and dinner will be held Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, located at 6700 Fallsview Blvd.
Tickets to the event are now available for purchase at, fallsviewevents.com.
Tickets are $100 and will include admission to the award ceremony, a three-course dinner at world-renowned Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Lounge, unlimited wine at the table and one complimentary beverage ticket. There will also be an after party with live music and beverages.
The event is open to all nominees, applicants and the general public.
Here are the nominees:
Top social media page: Oast House Brewers, Jessica Wilson, Nicole Court, Gianmarco Raimando, Jessica Silvestri, Saifya Aboaen, Nintendo Girl
Best social media campaign: Enterprise, The Shaw Festival, Community Care of St. Catharines, Christian DiStefano, the Seaway Mall, Brimstone Brewing, Duliban Insurance Brokers
Best personal blog: Aim Outside, Alex Kazam, Mind Muscle Connection, Rise Above, Anime Uproar, Mark Campbell, YWCA
Best in video: Anime Uproar, Safina Abaoen, Revel Realty, Ryan Skursky (Skursky Productions), Dalton Steele, Nick Mirka, Tanner Sawatzky
Best in photography: Courtney Michaud, Dave Amos, Joshua McMillan, Keepgood Co., Aim Outside, Josh Bellingham, Michelle Bruce
Best in journalism: The Sound Publishing Company, Danny Lamb, Danielle MacDougall (Giant FM), Debi (Connecting Niagara), Krav Grill, Wendy Leard, Wealth 4 Self
Best in events and promotion: Haunt Manor, Seaway Mall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, 91.7 Giant FM, Greg Frewin, Mo Mondays, United Way Niagara
Best in engagement: Angela Osborne, Mahtay Cafe, Nintendo Girl, The Shaw Festival, Jessica Wilson, Nicole Court, Revel Realty
