The Online Music Awards are a multi-genre global awards ceremony in which unsigned musicians are rewarded and celebrated. The awards take place online with nominees, voting and winners announcements all being done via the Online Music Awards social networks. The first ever ceremony featured notable industry names such as Tim Westwood

Tim Westwood

Timothy Westwood is an English DJ and presenter of radio and television. He also presents the UK version of the MTV show Pimp My Ride...

, The Noisettes

The Noisettes

Noisettes are an English indie rock band from London, comprising singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa, guitarist Dan Smith, and drummer Jamie Morrison...

, Ace Of Base

Ace of Base

Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...

 and Roll Deep

Roll Deep

Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005...

 announcing nominees via pre-recorded videos. For the 2011 awards, Tony Cowell

Tony Cowell

Tony Cowell is a British radio broadcaster and television showbiz correspondent who co-wrote his younger brother Simon Cowell's autobiography, I Don't Mean to be Rude, but....-Work:...

 announced the nominees for the 'Best International Unsigned Act' which is seen as the OMAs "most prestigious" award.

In total, seven categories are rewarded including Best Urban Act, Best Dance Act, Best Rock Act, Best Pop Act, Best International Act, Best Music Video and Best Music Website. Online Music Awards CEO and Founder Chris Mitchell has previously worked in marketing roles for both MOBO Awards

MOBO Awards

The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....

 and Urban Music Awards

Urban Music Awards

The Urban Music Awards is a HipHop, R&B, Dance and soul music awards ceremony launched in 2003 and now held in six countries annually.The awards ceremony is held annually by Invincible Media Group. The UMA's is now held in 6 countries annually...

.

In early 2011 it was revealed that St Helier Cider had become headline sponsor of the awards now known as "St Helier Cider Online Music Awards".

During the 2011 awards, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas

Rozonda Thomas

Rozonda Ocelean Thomas , best known by her stage name Chilli, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as one third of the successful R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop girl group TLC.-Early life:...

 from R&B group TLC

TLC (band)

TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...

 recorded a message of support for the nominees.

2011 winners

• Best Urban Act: Caligrafi Jones
• Best Rock Act: FranKo
  FranKo
  FranKo are a pop/rock/alternative band from South London, England. The group consists of Tommy Bastow , Richard Craker , Chris Gilbertson and Richard "Ricky" Rayner on the Drums.2011 saw them enter the inaugural Online Music Awards, where they were the only entrants...
  
  
• Best Pop Act: Spaceship Days
• Best Dance Act: Anda Adam
• Best International Act: Hannah Trigwell
  Hannah Trigwell
  Hannah Trigwell is an English singer-songwriter from Leeds, West Yorkshire. Hannah has released two EPs containing original material...
  
  
• Best Music Video: Black Biscuit
• Best Music Website: ReverbNation.com
  ReverbNation.com
  ReverbNation.com is a web site, launched in 2006, that focuses on the independent music industry. It aims to provide a central site for musicians, producers, and venues to collaborate and communicate.-Innovations:...