Digital Next & Just Search Acquisition Conference

On Friday 28^th February, we held the Acquisition Conference to celebrate the Digital Next acquisition of Just Search. The event was held at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.

We started the evening with a champagne (and Orange Juice for the designated drivers) reception. Everyone knows you cant have an acquisition conference without canapés, so passed round was a selection of beef wellington, salmon, prawns, and goats cheese with onions weve got great taste. Guests arrived, the conversation and champagne flowed.

Once fed and champagne flutes filled, the evening commenced with an inspirational speech from Founder and CEO of Digital Next, Justin Blackhurst. Justin spoke about him and his brother, Marks Digital Next journey from SEO Next right until the acquisition of Just Search. He talked about the ups, the downs, and the amazing people he and brother had met along the way.

Justin and Mark gave a word of thanks with flowers to family, friends and those involved with the Digital Next Journey.

The microphone was passed onto Katrina and Hayley for the Digital Next / Just Search awards; which were voted throughout the week by company employees:

• The James Corden Award, The Loudest Person Matthew Booth
• The Mark Zuckerberg Award, The Rising Star Anthony Knowles
• The One Direction Award, The Best Newcomer Adam Bennett
• The Beyonce Award, The Best Bum Andy Holt
• The Paddy McGuiness Award, The Funniest Person Dean Finegold
• The Kim Kardashian Award, The Biggest Show-off Justin Blackhurt
• The Desmond Douglas Award, Table Tennis Champion Jade Merabi
• The Digital Next Employee of the Month Anthony Knowles

To follow, a speech from Daniel Jillings at Once Upon A Smile. Once Upon A Smile are a Manchester based charity, who work closely with hospitals, charities and schools to offer support and respite break for families suffering bereavement. Dan Jillings gave a touching speech about the charity and introduced the charity to Digital Next as we start working closely together.

Once the speeches and awards were presented, the night moved onto the dance floor, with a break dance performances. It wasnt long until the Digital Next Boys were putting the break dancers to shape with their moves!

Photography at the event was covered by www.neilsonreeves.co.uk