The finalists of the 2025 Northern Ireland Social Media Awards have been revealed following a record-breaking number of entries spanning industries including education, tourism, hospitality, sport and non-profit showcasing both established names and emerging talent. 

This year’s awards received over 840 submissions across the business and brand categories, while the influencer categories drew over 123,000 individual nominations from the general public.

The successful shortlist includes local businesses Keenan Seafood, Jack Murphy Jewellers, Forest Feast and Blair’s Holiday Park; organisations including Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Visit Belfast, Invest NI, North West Regional College, Derry City and Strabane District Council and a host of charities including PIPS Suicide Prevention and NI Chest Heart & Stroke.

Some of Northern Ireland’s social media personalities shortlisted includes Annalivia McGivern, Nathan Anthony (Bored of Lunch), Melissa Riddell, Courtney Wallace and The Kearneys. 

Taking place on Saturday 18th October in the Europa Hotel and hosted by wellness advocate, Annette Kelly of Little Penny Thoughts and media personality and Podcaster,Gerry Lavz, the awards are organised by Niamh Taylor of Digital 24, one of Northern Ireland’s leading award-winning digital marketers and industry mentors. The event will once again highlight the achievements of local individuals, businesses and organisations, celebrating the positive impact of social media. 

Commenting on this year’s record-breaking response, Niamh Taylor, Founder of the NI Social Media Awards said: “The standard of entries this year has been nothing short or outstanding. Our independent judging panel was incredibly impressed by the innovation, authenticity and strategic thinking demonstrated across all categories. From driving meaningful engagement to achieving measurable results, it’s clear that individuals, brands and organisations across Northern Ireland are leading the way in using social media with purpose and creativity. 

“With this year’s theme, Let Them, we’re celebrating those who embrace their voice and vision online – often in the face of challenges or criticism. It’s a call for unapologetic self-expression and a reminder of the strength it takes to show up, stand up and keep going. That spirit is at the heart of what the Northern Ireland Social Media Awards are all about!”  

An independent judging panel drawn from throughout the UK and Ireland reviewed entries against clear criteria to ensure a fair and rigorous process and included Annie Gaddis Black, Head of Social and Content at Six Company; Paul Cawley, Senior Communications Manager at Boots Ireland; Oskar Persson, Head of Brands at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard and Catherine McKeown, Media Controller at Sky Ireland. 

On behalf of the judging panel,  Amy Lynch, Digital and Content Manager at Aldi Ireland added: “The standard of entries to this year’s NI Social Media Awards was exceptional. We saw smart, insight led strategies, creative ideas that travelled across platforms and results that clearly tied back to business outcomes. The finalists have set a new bar for social in Northern Ireland, not just in execution, but in effectiveness.”

Individual category partners include Adorn Dress Hire, Bellamianta, BNL Productions, Bradley Shoots, Digital Twenty Four, Fiona Brown Communications, Kobault, Lunn’s, MAD Colour, MB Motors, Mourne Stars, Northern Lights, Northern Mortgages, No 7 Duke Street, O’Neills, Stacked, Starview Hot Tubs & Outdoor Living, Ted & Stitch, The Green East, Vermillion Cosmetic Clinic, West Coast Cooler. Media Partner is Belfast Live. Charity Partner is Cancer Fund for Children.

For the full list of finalists or to purchase tickets for the 2025 NI Social Media Awards go to www.nisocialmediaawards.com