MediaGuardian.co.uk | Awards 2007

This is perhaps the most difficult category to judge, but ultimately one of the most rewarding. It defines the ideals of the Awards - innovation, creativity and vision.

The category recognises not only the individual impact that innovators have but also the domino effect that their inspiration provides. We are looking for the innovator who acts as a beacon to others, lighting their path and creating a media world which is dynamic and positive.

The winner

Bryce Edge & Chris Hufford
Bryce Edge and Chris Hufford are Courtyard Management, the co-managers of Radiohead. They are the brains behind the music story of 2007 – the online release of “In Rainbows.” In one fell swoop the sales model for music in the UK was changed forever and Radiohead’s reputation for innovation was cemented.

Runners up

Jon Burton
Jon Burton is the co-founder of UK based video game developer TT Games. The company produces the phenomenally successful Lego Star Wars games, and have recently been the subject of a £100M takeover by Warner Bros. Since Burton founded the company in 1989 more than 42 million copies of their games have been sold.

Michael Birch
Michael Birch is the co-founder of Bebo, the most popular social networking site in the UK. Now based in San Francisco, the web entrepreneur has created a site which is quietly taking over the world. Having set up the site with his wife Xochi, Birch has so far declined to sell up – even for a reputed $750M offer.

Innovator of the year

This is perhaps the most difficult category to judge, but ultimately one of the most rewarding. It defines the ideals of the Awards - innovation, creativity and vision.

The category recognises not only the individual impact that innovators have but also the domino effect that their inspiration provides. We are looking for the innovator who acts as a beacon to others, lighting their path and creating a media world which is dynamic and positive.

The winner

Runners up