European Call Centre & Customer Service Announces the Finalists for 2013

LONDON, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

European Call Centre & Customer Service Awards, organised by UBM Live, is pleased to announce the finalists for 2013. A panel of judges carefully critiqued more than 400 entries against strict criteria to choose the outstanding finalists.

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Three groups share 23 award categories, which include; Individual Awards, Innovation & Technology Awards and Team Awards. Targeting the awards to specific groups helps ensure that the whole industry, including both public and private sectors, has the opportunity to be 'in it to win it'.

With more entries received than ever before, judges had a difficult challenge in selecting the finalists. Chalky Langley, Head of IT and Customer Service for The Met Office said: "The judging panel has been overwhelmed at the standard of entries this year. As technology evolves, it is evident that customer service methods are becoming more advanced. It is thrilling to see what innovative solutions have been put in place year on year and I'm delighted to once again be involved with these industry leading awards."

This year saw the launch of two new categories including 'Best Social Media in Customer Service'.  As social media becomes increasingly prominent in the industry, the introduction of a category dedicated to this method of communication proved to be vastly popular and received more entries for a new category than ever before.

A unique judging criterion was set to ensure nominees had a clear understanding of why and how customers use social media. Looking into the innovative way social media channels are utilised, judges asked for evidence of companies going the extra mile to demonstrate how their customer service has evolved.

"The interest in the social media category is a direct reflection of the leaps and bounds that businesses are making in accepting social media as a channel for customer service and not simply a marketing tool. Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to the finalists. You are blazing a trail in the early stages of this customer service channel and we wish you the best of luck" said Helen Curl, Head of Portfolio, Customer Management.

The European Call Centre & Customer Service Awards will take place on 2nd October 2013 at the prestigious Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London. Uniting the most influential leaders within the contact centre and customer service industry, the evening will reward the most outstanding individuals and companies that have made an impact over the previous 12 months.

For a full list of the finalists and more information visit live.callcentre.co.uk/awards or contact Nick Davey, Programme Director for the European Call Centre & Customer Service Awards on +44-(0)20-7234-8731 or email [email protected]    

Notes to editor:

About European Call Centre & Customer Service Awards
The European Call Centre & Customer Service Awards is the most prestigious annual European customer contact event to showcase and celebrate excellence across the entire industry. The awards promote best practice and innovation in customer service and contact centre excellence and highlight its importance in today's business climate.

For further information visit live.callcentre.co.uk/awards

About UBM Live

UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets.   Through premier brands such as CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Call Centre & Customer Management Expo, International Confex and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors.

SOURCE UBM Live