Chook earns global acclaim at Webbys & Australian Web Awards

Chook, the strategy, design, and development agency, has been internationally recognised as an honouree at the 28th Annual Webby Awards. The company celebrated this achievement alongside a prestigious win at the Australian Web Awards, where it secured Best in Show in the SEO effectiveness category for its work on the HOYTS Australia and New Zealand websites.

The accolade from the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences places Chook's collaboration with HOYTS among the top 25% of 13,000 entries in this year's Webby Awards. The Australian Web Awards, which have been championing technical excellence in the web industry for 19 years, further highlighted Chook's advanced SEO strategy, marking it as the highest-rated in core judging disciplines. Additionally, the HOYTS website received the Enterprise Business Award for its substantial impact on business goals, product development, customer service, and brand awareness, and was a finalist in the Entertainment & Events category.

James Hartcher, Founder of Chook, heralded the dual recognitions, noting the honour they bestow upon the team. He reminisced about his long-standing relationship with HOYTS, which started 27 years ago during his high school days. "Being recognised by both the Webby Awards and the Australian Web Awards is a tremendous honour for our team. We've loved working on this project, and for me, this journey with HOYTS began 27 years ago when they took a chance on me as one of my first clients whilst still finishing high school," he said.

In their latest collaboration, spanning over two years, Chook was tasked with redesigning and rebuilding the HOYTS websites for Australia and New Zealand. The goal was to ensure resilience during peak sales and technical disruptions while providing a user-friendly experience. The new sites, which launched in 2023, received commendations for their simplified session browsing, easy content discovery, and quick checkout process.

Hartcher expressed pride in the successful reception of the sites and the awards they garnered, attributing it to the team's commitment to innovative and creative digital solutions. "We're proud of the work we do, and these accolades are a testament to our commitment to innovate in a playful way, be creative, and deliver cutting-edge digital solutions that resonate with users and drive business success," he added.

The revamped HOYTS website, crafted by Chook, has set a new benchmark in the entertainment industry with its swift, stable performance, the company states. Features include a streamlined checkout process, quick session switching, digital passes for tickets and member cards compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and a comprehensive member dashboard for managing tickets, gift cards, rewards, and more. These enhancements ensure a seamless experience for moviegoers.

Adam Wrightson, Group IT Director at HOYTS Cinema Technology Group, lauded the partnership with Chook, acknowledging their innovative approach and dedication. "Working with Chook has been an incredible experience. Their innovative approach and dedication to creating user-centric digital solutions have significantly enhanced our online presence. The recognition that the HOYTS website has received is well-deserved and highlights the exceptional talent and creativity that defines Chook as one of the best in this space," he remarked.