Alessandra Valentini recognised in the BIMA 100 awards

Alessandra Valentini won the BIMA 100 Student Award

Alessandra Valentini won the BIMA 100 Student Award

A postgraduate digital marketing communications student has been recognised as one of the UK’s most influential people in the digital and technology sector.

Alessandra Valentini has been inducted into the BIMA 100, which celebrates the leaders, pioneers, entrepreneurs and changemakers in the digital and technology industry.

Valentini, who recently graduated from Manchester Met’s MSc Digital Marketing Communications course, was awarded for the impact she is already making in the industry, through her current role at online marketing agency Gr@pes and through the ideas and innovations she is bringing to the sector.

On receiving her award, Valentini said: “I am beyond proud to be inducted into the BIMA 100 Hall of Fame. Making it on to the list is a great achievement and a big honour. Thanks to BIMA and to all the judges for recognising my talent and choosing my work among all the great entries.

“A special thanks to Jeff McCarthy and Allie Johns from Manchester Metropolitan University for your unceasing support and trust. With your passion and dedication, you shape future change-makers. One of the reasons why I’m on the BIMA 100 list is because you have always believed in my talent! I raise a glass to all the BIMA stars, congratulations everyone!”

Every year, BIMA, which is the UK’s largest digital and technology community with a membership of over 5000, celebrates 100 of the people who are leading the industry right now.

BIMA 100 seeks to recognise the individuals who are shaping the future of Britain’s digital industry, with this year’s winners announced online on Thursday 6 May.

The winners are featured across 10 categories, allowing BIMA to honour a well-rounded list of the individuals making a difference in the sector.

Jeff McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing at Manchester Met, said: “Huge congratulations to Alessandra on this achievement! Winning the BIMA 100 Student Award is an incredible testament to her.

“She’s one of the very best students I’ve ever taught in 11 years in higher education. It’s not just her ability, it’s her overall ethos and passion for learning. She is incredibly humble while having capabilities it’s impossible to put a limit on.

“For example, she has self-taught new statistical modelling software (SmartPLS) in order to truly enhance her work in voice activated devices for online shopping. She is sure to be an industry change-maker and visionary in this space.”

Allie Johns, Alessandra’s programme leader and dissertation supervisor on Man Met’s MSc Digital Marketing Communications course, said: “The most rewarding thing for those of us in the world of higher education is to see our students recognised for their success and I’m so proud to see Alessandra become a BIMA100 change-maker.

“Genuinely curious and particularly intrigued by digital human behaviour, she produced an outstanding piece of Masters level research, driven by an innovative approach to data analysis. This is so well-deserved and I’m excited to see what the future brings for her.”