Bude based marketing entrepreneur Marc Penn of Blue Fish Business Promotions Limited, a business gift distributor, has been named as a finalist in the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award for the UK's promotional marketing industry which is worth £20 billion annually.

The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award is a nationwide search for an entrepreneur demonstrating initiative, innovative concepts and a proactive business approach, which has proven successful in the vast promotions and incentives industry.

Marc Penn, was chosen as a finalist from a highly competitive list of entries. Marc along with seven other finalists met in London to face a panel of senior UK promotional marketing industry leaders and well known business personalities for a Dragon Den style type interview. The finalists were praised for their innovative business concept and natural entrepreneurial flair.

The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) launched the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award in 2006 on the strength that all businesses and consumers are affected by the vast reach of the promotions and incentives industry and thus recognition needs to be paid to individuals contributing to its advancement.

Marc Penn commented: "What a fantastic forum to prompt reflection and to bring achievements to the very forefront of focus. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and believed I had a story to tell."

BPMA President David Lebond commented: "The third year of the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award saw the judges seeing the largest number of finalists and the judging day was intense due to the sheer quality, breadth and depth of the entries.

"Once again the judges had a truly rewarding and enlightening day, with the whole marketing community well represented by some special entrepreneurs — indicating that despite some difficult times, we as an industry are well placed to flourish despite the economic climate."