CIM has today announced that the Super League Rugby League Club, Widnes Vikings are sponsoring the Consultant / Freelancer of the Year category in their 2017 Northern Awards, which will be held in Manchester on Thursday 09 November.

The CIM Northern Awards, now in its fourth year, celebrates the insight, creativity and success of the Northern marketing industry, the outstanding campaigns and the talent from across the North of England, including the Isle of Man. There are 17 award categories, 13 of which are open to entries, and the evening event will once again be hosted by TV's Andy Crane.

Widnes Vikings are up for four awards themselves, Public Sector Campaign, Digital Campaign, Integrated Campaign and Best Use of Creative for their 'Beat the Scrum' project with NHS Halton CCG.  This initiative saw the Vikings stars raise awareness of how to best use NHS services in an innovative digital and PR campaign that achieved significant publicity and supported a reduction in A&E usage.

Widnes Vikings first-team stars, twins Ted and James Chapelhow, who helped lead the award-nominated campaign, will be joining representatives of the Club at the event.

John Hughes, Director of Communications and Digital Engagement at Widnes Vikings, said, "We are delighted to support the CIM Northern Awards this year and are looking forward to the evening celebrations.  It is an honour for the Vikings to be shortlisted at the event with NHS Halton CCG, for a campaign that we are very proud of".  He concluded with, "We would like to congratulate all of the nominees for the event, and wish everyone the best of luck".

For more information go to http://www.cim.co.uk/cim-northern-awards-2017/ and follow #cimnorthernawards