“We are excited to be working with our new partner, Social Strategy1,” said Debra von Storch, Ernst & Young’s Southwest Strategic Growth Markets Leader, “Utilizing innovative technologies and services to help identify innovative companies and market leaders is an important next step in growth of the Entrepreneur Of The Year competition in our region.”

“We are pleased to be a part of this prestigious program, which honors some of the best entrepreneurs and business leaders in the world,” said Dennis Stoutenburgh, Co-Founder and President, Social Strategy1.

Social Strategy1, a social media monitoring and data analytics firm, indexed hundreds of thousands of data points from social media, blogs, forums, major news, YouTube videos and business reviews for the regional program over a two month period. The most relevant data identified by Social Strategy1 analysts was then aligned with Ernst & Young’s deliberation process to select the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards candidates. The Southwest Area North Awards Program covers Wichita, Kansas, all of Arkansas and Oklahoma, and the majority of Texas.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award program is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award recognizes the significant contributions of entrepreneurs who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Area North 2013 Awards Gala will take place at the Sheraton Downtown Dallas hotel on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Visit http://www.ey.com for more details on the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards.