Today the Hidden Gem church in Manchester sees the funeral of Tony Wilson. Either as a fan of the Manchester music scene, a raver at the Hacienda or simply a viewer on the early evening news show Granada Reports, anybody growing up in this region knows the face and unique style of Anthony “H”.
I like many others of my generation hope that the current plans for a memorial service are fulfilled and I am delighted to see that the Manchester In the City event in October has released plans to include a tribute to Tony Tony Wilson did a great deal to promote this region and in particular progressive thinking in the creative sector. Fitting then that one of his last engagements was to host the 10th Big Chip awards in May, celebrating the Manchester Digital sector. Mediaburst were proud to be a key sponsor of this event sponsoring the Best Digital Marketing campaign, won by Pavilion Communications for their Lifeworks project Also fitting then that the event was the most successful ever and that the independent trade association for the regions ICT industry, Manchester Digital, is now financially independent for the first time in its history.
Tony will sadly not get to see the continued success of the region or what many believe to be the catalyst for the transformation of the regions digital sector, the move of the BBC to the Mediacity:uk development in Salford Quays. He does however leave a city and digital sector that is vibrant and expanding.