THE sixth Scottish Digital Business Awards is already attracting strong entries into its 11 categories.

The event, organised by The Herald and supported by Enigma People Solutions, Jumpstart, Metadigital, The University of Glasgow and Hillington Park Innovation Centre, aims to highlight successes in areas such as social media, mobile technologies and education. A new category this year is digital professional, for an individual who has delivered outstanding results for their business and clients.

John McLeish, managing director of Equator, said winning the best digital agency award in 2013 was the crowning moment of an exceptional year. He said: "Not only did we open our first international office in NYC and a development base in Kiev, we also grew our Glasgow team to more than 100, won new work from global businesses including Disney, Rocco Forte and AXA Insurance and achieved record turnover."

Categories include business-to-business, public sector, best mobile app, consumer engagement, student, education and training, out of home (for outdoor digital advertising) and retail and e-commerce.

Entries must be submitted at herald-events.com/digitalawards by September 4.

David Mains, director at Enigma People Solutions, is supporting the best digital agency award and said: "It is always a hard-fought contest with a number of highly deserving and innovative entries."

Innovation Centres Scotland is backing the consumer engagement award. Marketing manager Anna-Marie Taylor said: "The evolution of mobile technology and adoption of social media platforms have changed the way we all work and have become instrumental in the growth of Scotland's businesses, globally."

Professor Jon Cooper, from the University of Glasgow, which is backing the education and training category, said: "Glasgow recognises the importance of education and embedding new skills for digital businesses, a workforce expected to grow by 39 per cent by 2030."

Brian Williamson, from Jumpstart, believes the digital economy is now one of the main economic drivers in the global marketplace.

John Macfarlane, director at Metadigital, which is sponsoring the student prize, said he was keen to support new talent and added: "The digital services and software sector in Scotland has always been strong but right now it's booming and we need to continue to encourage bright, young talent to see the sector as a place, full of opportunities, where they can realise their potential."