FA Chief condemns dirty tricks by Qatar, "Swim the M50" and insight on motorists in Ireland

FA Chief condemns dirty tricks by Qatar

This is a very interesting story from Channel 4 about a sports blog called “The Pressing Game” which attacks critics of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.  It appears to have been set up by the PR company, Portland Communications who have since distanced themselves from it.  Most articles on the blog are apparently written by former head of communications for the Labour party, Alastair Campbell and his son.  Campbell was an adviser to Portland until recently. This is known as “astroturfing” (a new one on me) which is using a blog which masks the organisation which sets it up or runs it – and tries to create a sense of a grassroots movement.  Again, it’s the cover-up and lack of transparency that makes this newsworthy.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion – but if you have an interest, declare it.

http://www.channel4.com/news/fa-chief-condemns-online-dirty-tricks-by-qatar-s-pr-firm

“Swim the M50” Challenge announced to celebrate rebrand

Speaking of declaring an interest – here’s a story from one of my clients – Dublin City Council Sports & Recreation division! I was tasked by them to create awareness of their rebranded Sports & Fitness Centres amongst current and potential customers.  So I advised them to run a Challenge that would excite and motivate consumers – and the Centre Managers came up with the “Swim the M50” concept!  It happens on 29^th October and entrance to the 4 participating Centres is free that day!  See pieces below from inshore-ireland.com and BusinessAndLeadership.com  

http://www.businessandleadership.com/sustainability/item/47736-new-sports-and-fitness/

http://www.inshore-ireland.com/News/swim-the-m50-challenge.html

Irish Motorists

3 million Irish people own a car – or maybe that should read 3m people in Ireland own a car – according to the latest Kantar/TGI media insight on Irish motorists. A mix of TV and outdoor advertising is recommended as the most effective way to reach them.  Older one-car families are big TV consumers while slightly younger two-car families are in the heaviest one fifth consumers of outdoor advertising.  More here …….

http://www.adworld.ie/news/read/?id=a0dfc64a-cb2f-44b0-9850-a81b104331fd

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Should SMEs work for free, cute cheetah cubs & "Hotel Parents"......

Should freelancers & Small Business Owners work for free?

Hell, no! When I saw the title of this article, I thought “how ridiculous!” – and then I read it and realised that I have been that idiot – I have worked for little or nothing on occasion in the hope that it will lead to bigger and better new business opportunities.  Generally speaking, it doesn’t!  And, that time-worn saying is so true – if you don’t value yourself, no-one else will.  Charities are different – you may want to help a charity out – which is admirable but there’s a good piece of advice in this article – state up front how much time you are willing to give.  People sometimes work for free or at a vastly reduced rate in order to get greater exposure – but as the author says, “exposure is also something people die of – it doesn’t pay the bills!”  Be sure to click through to the 3.5 minute video mentioned here from writer Harlan Ellison, “Pay the writer” – he leaves us in no doubt what the answer will be to a request to him to work for free!

http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/sep/22/freelancers-small-business-owners-work-free

“Hotel Parents”

This was a new term on me I have to admit!  Apparently 11% of the populations are “Hotel Parents” – aged 35+ with a son or daughter aged over 15 living with them.  They are an affluent group with a heavy usage of radio and newspapers – worth bearing in mind if you are trying to target this grou.

http://www.adworld.ie/news/read/?id=e3020f08-ca9a-40b7-a5c7-d211b7f1206d

Cheetah Cubs

Now what excuse, sorry, marketing nugget can I come up with to justify my use of this video showing ever-so-cute cheetah cubs which were born on 1^st September at San Diego Zoo?!  Ah yes – if your ‘bullseye customer’ loves animals, why not use one in your marketing communications?  We’ve all heard and seen how cat videos rule the internet – but even though I’m the skivvy of a cat myself (dogs have owners, cats have staff!) – the cat thing is probably overdone online, so think about choosing a different animal!

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/around-the-clock-care-continues-for-cheetah-cubs-at-san-diego-zoo-1.1937569

Photo: Gaebler.com

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3 ways to close off a press release, what your phone says about you & becoming a beauty entrepreneur

3 ways to close off your press release

This was a new one on me I have to admit – it’s usually all about the start of your press release – so this caught my eye!  I’ve no problem with the first recommendation, “Make a strong statement” or with the final one which is a bit self-evident.  But the second one “Find some common ground” I do have an issue with – for two reasons.  I don’t disagree – but common ground should be established as early in a press release as possible so the reader easily sees WIIFM – What’s In It For Me.  And the recommendation to write something like “You’ve seen what we can do for your life……” is just plain wrong!  That is (bad) advertising speak and has no place in a press release!

http://bit.ly/1rUfArI

What your mobile phone says about you

As 1.7m mobile phone owners were researched for this study, it’s worth a look.  As an iPhone owner, I see I am 16 times more likely to be interested in Brad Pitt than the average person online (keep looking over your shoulder Angelina!), 4.3 times more interested in crime films (sounds right), 19 times more likely to research skiing holidays and 5x times more likely to book a cruise (never been on either!). Find out what your phone says about you here……

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/47473-new-research-reveals-what/

How to become a Beauty Entrepreneur

Tips from a panel of experts to those thinking of starting a beauty business include staying on top of – but not being led by – trends, establishing a business because you have a passion for it and not just because you see a market opportunity, using Twitter and LinkedIn, joining trade associations and attending trade shows.  One really good piece of advice was to read every beauty article you possibly can, track down the journalists who write them and email them about your business. You should also, of course, follow these journalists on Twitter and look out for opportunities to engage with them and supply helpful information.

http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/sep/15/guide-becoming-beauty-business-entrepreneur

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Malaysia Airlines 'Bucket List', how 'Image' mag is growing & teenage males revealed!

Bringing your business to your customers

In a very competitive market, how does a ‘traditional’ business arrest a decline or even grow?  Irish women’s magazines have done well to survive over the past few years in the face of declining ad revenue, competition from cheaper UK titles and the migration of readers online. This article in The Irish Times tell us that the latest ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) figures show that Image magazine achieved a +1% growth.

For about 18 months now, Image has been staging very high quality breakfast events – usually at The Marker hotel.   They have a good networking session, great speakers, a light but yummy breakfast and always a fab goody bag – with the gift worth at least the cost of the ticket (€45) and often more!  They also have invested in a really good online offering – Image Daily.  And of course, it always packs a good read.

I would love to hear the inside track on how Stellar magazine, albeit from a low base, grew by 108%?!  Well done to them!

While the Harmonia titles – Irish Tatler, U and Woman’s Way - all declined, they actually have a similar readership to Image - Irish Tatler 23,000, U 22,000 and Image 22,000.  But as a media buyer says in this article, “While the readership may be small, it’s loyal.” l Harmonia also hosts events but tend to go for large scale events such as the Ultimate Girls Day Out and the Irish Tatler Business Academy.

http://bit.ly/1lRiEbL

Malaysia Airlines “Bucket List” campaign

Yes, folks it’s true – Malaysia Airlines recently launched a new campaign called, “My Ultimate Bucket List”.  Despite losing two planes this year – one which disappeared and one which was shot down over the Ukraine – they managed to come up with this bizarrely named promotion.  The promotion asked customers which destination they would most like to visit and are offering prizes of 12 return flights from Oz or New Zealand or one of 4 iPads.  They have since changed the name of the promotion.

http://bit.ly/1xyS4ZT

Teenage Males more influenced by Celebrity

In this latest insight from Kantar Media TGI and adworld.ie, we learn that there are 321,000 15-19 year olds in Ireland.  I was surprised to see that teenage males are 3 times more likely to be influenced by a celebrity for purchasing decisions than the average adult.  14% of these males tend to buy products from companies that sponsor TV programmes.

http://www.adworld.ie/news/read/?id=645d686c-8ea8-4cc9-b091-01b52bdeb089

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Forget Ice Bucket - how about "Boob Aid" or #FeelingNuts?! Entrepreneur Awards launched & Tesco community initiatives

Tips for Entrepreneurs from Award winners:

·        -  Don't be afraid to ask for help or support

·        - Assume you will have to hustle for every sale

·         - Diversify your financial risk as much as possible

·        -  Never allow a lack of experience or knowledge get in the way of pursuing a seemingly impossible task

These tips are from Simon O’Connor, Curator, Little Museum of Dublin, who also says, “an expert is just an amateur who decided to chance their arm!"   He was speaking at the launch of the 2015 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards – Little Museum of Dublin was the 2014 winner. To see tips from other David Manley Award winners, see www.davidmanleyawards.ie Open to enterprises in business, the arts and social community which are less than 3 years old, the closing date for entries is Friday 3^rd October 2014.  Disclosure – I am a sponsor of and PRO for the Awards!

Forget Ice Bucket, how about “boob aid” or #FeelingNuts?!

This wasn’t a very smart move by the ALS (motor neurone disease) Association or ALSA as it’s known – who tried to copyright the “Ice Bucket Challenge” - other charities kicked up a storm saying that fundraising events such as runs, walks etc can’t be copyrighted.  See link for more detail below – but the following fundraising ideas caught my attention and made the “cool” ice bucket challenge look tame in comparison!   A charity for testicular cancer is running a social media campaign – Check One Two – which encourages people to take interesting photos and upload them – with the tag - #FeelingNuts.  And, for the 12^th year running, a Japanese campaign for Aids Prevention called “Boob Aid” sees porn stars allowing their breasts to be fondled!  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/als-ice-bucket-challenge-charities-battle-for-ice-bucket-rights-9701866.html

Tesco battles discounters with community initiatives

Always interesting to see how companies compete when they can’t do it on price.   “Embattled” Tesco has steadily lost share to the discounters and they’re also back in the news with the new CEO taking over the reins in the UK today.  Despite the talk that the new CEO will compete on price, this remains to be seen as Tesco shareholders have always wanted a higher margin.  So they’ve been fighting back on other fronts – and charities seem to be the main beneficiary.  If you shop in any of their stores at the moment, you get a token at the checkout and you decide which of 3 local charities’ Perspex containers you put the token into – i.e. which local charity you support.  A really nice initiative.  Now, Tesco is donating €10,000 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease charity in recognition of the fact that they sold 66,000 additional bags of ice over the past couple of weeks!  Tesco get a lot of stick but when charities benefit…….

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/47292-uplift-in-sales-of-bags-of/

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