The Drum Awards for Online Media took place last night, celebrating the best in journalism and online publishing.

And we are thrilled to say that The Independent picked up the big prize of the night: Brand of the Year 2023. Open to all consumer and trade titles, the jury assessed the strength of the brand, and performance across The Independent site, app, social channels, live events, marketing and video.

The Highly Commended award for Publisher of the Year also went to The Independent. This category recognises B2C and B2B publishers, with the judges focusing upon how the site delivers its overall strategy, serves its audiences and plays to the strengths of the online marketplace.

Meanwhile, our creative solutions department,  Independent Ignite, was one of only five teams to be shortlisted in the Branded Content Team of the Year category. Ignite was also a finalist in the Commercial Campaign of the Year grouping, for its Kwik Fit – Driving Change project. Just seven campaigns across the whole of online media received this recognition.

Geordie Greig, The Independent’s editor-in-chief said: “It is a tribute to the potency and creative originality of The Independent that it has been awarded the accolade of Brand of the Year by The Drum awards for marketing and reputation.   This is testimony to The Independent always striving to be a strong voice that has impact and delivering a message that reaches wide and with great awareness of our values. Congratulations to every member of The Independent team, commercially and editorially.”

The awards took place in front of a live studio audience in London and will be broadcast on Friday 16 June. See The Drum Awards website for more details.