Tech start-up looking for media coverage? What Ryanair thinks of Irish ads, Choosing values....

Tech start-up looking for media coverage?

Good news for tech start-ups who would like a profile on IrishTechNews.net – from January they move from one “Business Showcase” a week to two – with start-ups being featured on Thursdays and established businesses on Tuesday.  If you’re a start-up and want to be featured, email simon@irishtechnews.net

http://irishtechnews.net/ITN3/business-showcase-expansion-and-site-announcements/

How to choose the right values

A more philosophical piece for the time of year that’s in it – apparently there are too many values, not too few, so how do we get our values? And how do we navigate between ‘value dogmatism’ and ‘value relativism’?  An interesting piece but not sure if I know how to link this type of philosophical thought to actions and reality?

http://bit.ly/1GIdHpT

What Ryanair thinks of current Irish ads……

Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer, Ryanair seems to share his boss’ tendency to be outspoken and in this piece from marketing.ie gives his opinion on current Irish ads from, amongst others, one of the multiples, a discounter, two mobile phone operators and, of course, Ryanair……!

http://marketing.ie/articles/since-you-ask/

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

6 Pinterest tips for B2B, the Singing Samaritans & "too young to listen to Radio 1"

6 ways for B2B to use Pinterest

I have to say I’m guilty of not using Pinterest as a B2B platform – I did set up a DIY PR page but let that fall by the wayside – but no more - having read this article, I’ll start a business Pinterest account again.  The author advises us all to use Pinterest to increase visibility, brand awareness and revenue and for sharing.  Her tips include using Rich Pins and that a Pin isn’t just for Christmas!

http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2014/dec/04/business-pinterest-social-media-revenue

“I’m too young to listen to Radio One”

…..and other tweets reacting to Ray D’Arcy’s move back to RTE!  For the anoraks amongst us this was definitely a shock announcement – but a very interesting one.  Will his Today FM listeners follow him to his new afternoon slot on Radio 1, will Mooney’s listeners stay with the new presenter, is he taking over from Brendan O’Connor on the Saturday night TV show?  And, of course, who will replace Ray at Today FM? We have to wait and see!

http://bit.ly/1CYYPXx

Sing-along-a & Support Dublin Samaritans

On a much more serious note, for some people, Christmas can emphasise suicidal feelings, loneliness and depression.  Dublin Samaritan volunteers are available all over the Christmas period - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to listen to and to offer emotional support to people who are finding it difficult. 

The only fund-raising event they have each year is their carol-singing which takes place this Saturday 13^th and the following Saturday 20^th December between 12 noon and 4pm on Grafton Street.  The volunteers will be helped by the dulcet tones of Mary Coughlan, Paddy Cole, Conor Hamilton and the Garda Male Choir with other names to be announced.  All monies raised fund the provision of the listening service and the Dublin Samaritans has no paid executive.  Disclosure – I do some work with Dublin Samaritans and they’re a fantastic group of people - so if you’re in Grafton Street this Saturday or next, please support them – and sing along!  www.dublinsamaritans.ie

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

lessons for retailers post Cyber Monday, a year in books for kids and rebuilding Lego

A Year in Books for Children

Love this idea from London bookshop, Lutyens & Rubinstein which was highlighted by model and writer, Laura Bailey in the December issue of “Red” magazine – “Children’s Year in Books” whereby you can send a child a beautifully packaged book every month for a year.  What a fab idea from the bookshop – wonder if any Irish ones offer the same service?  Apparently L&R offer the same service for adults and – how cute – for babies!  Subscriptions can be for 3, 6 or 12 months.

http://www.lutyensrubinstein.co.uk/bookshop-bespoke-services

Lessons for Retailers post Cyber Monday/Black Friday

With the massive increase in sales of phablets (phones/tablets) and the ongoing trend towards bigger phone screens, the online browsing and shopping experience will become easier and more enjoyable for consumers.  But customers still have issues with paying for delivery and so currently ‘webrooming’ (research online, buy in-store) remains very popular.  And the emphasis should be on helping customers to buy more year-round rather than retailers sell more – just some of the tips in this interesting piece.

http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2014/dec/01/lessons-retailers-cyber-monday-black-friday

Building Lego back up

Lego got out of areas where they weren’t world class says Lego Chief Executive, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, explaining how he rebuilt Lego so that they had a 10% increase in sales last year.  There was nothing wrong with the brand or with the product, he says, just the way they were being managed. Good article.

http://ind.pn/1y9Zu42

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

Kim K - lewd, but shrewd, PR? 3 things Taylor Swift does right on social media & fewer promotional posts on Facebook...

Kim Kardashian – lewd and shrewd PR

Whatever you think of her – and I’m not a fan – you can only wonder at how Kim Kardashian stays so high profile.  We know how she got there – in this article, the author omits to mention a certain video - but, it’s certainly not the reason she stays there.  Her latest stunt – Break the Internet – was a masterful one as it was true to what she is all about i.e. her body.  Also, as the author says, it created a buzz around her brand, involved a certain amount of risk (not sure that’s true in her case) and was very visual.  See more here…..

http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/17633.aspx

3 things Taylor Swift does right on social media

She post photos of fans (that’s good – it’s about them, not her), she gets personal (posts pic from her mum) and she is ‘fearless’ i.e. posts a photo of herself as a child with braids!  That may not be the best example of fearless – but she is known for being outspoken and not afraid to say what she thinks.  Long may she continue!

http://bit.ly/1umf4qv

Fewer promotional posts on Facebook

We won’t see so many promotional posts – but we will see more ads – but these ads will now be more relevant, says Facebook Videos uploaded directly to Facebook, not YouTube, perform well

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/17/facebook-page-posts-news-feeds

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

Sainsburys Xmas ad "dangerous & disrepectful"? End of Clickbait? Dublin radio listenership & Irish Environmentalists

New Sainsbury ad ‘dangerous & disrespectful’?

I don’t think so – I think it’s a brave move and beautifully done with minimal branding which is very subtle. Obviously it’s very timely in view of the 100^th anniversary of World War 1 – and it was done in association with the British Legion, so if they’re happy…?  I’m always a John Lewis Xmas ad fan but this leaves all the other ads in the shade..

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/13/sainsburys-christmas-ad-first-world-war

Is the end of ‘Clickbait’ nigh?

Very interesting article with possible future ramifications for brand publishers down the line.  In the US, they’re looking at selling advertising online based on the length of time someone stays on a story rather than on page impressions.  This could lead to the demise of ‘tabloidisation’ where sensationalist headlines are used to get people to click through to a story that often doesn’t live up to the billing.  It’s certainly good news for the producers of quality content.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/why-publishers-should-call-time-on-clicks-and-clickbait-1.1998200

Dublin Radio Listenership

RTE Radio 1 still rules the airwaves in Dublin with FM104 second and Newstalk third according to the latest JNLR (Joint National Listenership Research) results which came out recently.  But all radio stations except 2FM lost listeners in Dublin – 2FM gained but off a very low base anyway.  See the figures here…..

http://www.ilevel.ie/media-blog/radio/jnlr-2014-q1-dublin-listenership

Insight – Irish Environmentalists

19% of Irish adults apparently are environmentally ‘keen’ – they’re 26% more likely than the average adult to be in the top fifth of radio listeners and they’re twice as likely as the average adult to listen to radio progammes on Science and Nature.

http://www.adworld.ie/news/read/?id=cee5d7b6-8230-4b8a-84de-0c26da477730

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

Let John Lewis light up your Twitter pic, Internal Comms & insular Irish media.....

Retailers’ Christmas Ads

Tomorrow, Thursday 6^th November sees the launch of the much-anticipated John Lewis Christmas ad but, as with other retailers, they don’t just rely on TV alone, these ads are all multi-media affairs.  I really like this though – you can sign up to get your Twitter profile ‘lit up’ by John Lewis tomorrow! http://www.thejohnlewistwittertwinkle.co.uk/

http://www.marketingweek.com/2014/11/04/john-lewis-gears-up-for-christmas-ad-launch/?nocache=true&adfesuccess=1

While this isn’t TV, this is a beautiful Christmas treatment entitled “Into the Woods” from Harvey Nichols….

http://bit.ly/13AgncC

Internal comms – keeping that ‘start-up’ spirit

This company went from 4 employees to 20 within 2 years and worried that the fun, unpredictable atmosphere that’s part and parcel of working with a start-up had gone – so read what they did here.  Some of the measures may seem obvious – but they work – and they’re simple and inexpensive!  You have to get the internal communications right for the external communications with customers, clients and other stakeholders to work!

http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/nov/03/keep-your-startup-spirit-business-takes-off

Irish media is insular

As a nation who are obsessed with what others think of us, this is worth a read.  The Guardian’s media commentator, Roy Greenslade talks about how insular the Irish media is and that it exists in a ‘media bubble’ – but I imagine this is true of every small country?  Especially an island nation like ours?  He specifically mentions the fact that most newspapers here did not refer to the fact that Mairia Cahill was formerly a member of a dissident republican movement – however, this wasn’t the first time I heard that – I could swear I heard this on Newstalk?  He says the insular nature of the media is due to the increasing concentration of media ownership. I must say I have found on occasion that the Daily Mail will print things that the others won’t?

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/nov/03/irish-times-gerryadams

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland

"Swim the M50!", is this the future for print magazines and info on happenings in media...

“Swim the M50!” - & help a charity

“Swim the M50” takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 29^th October between 7am and 10pm at the swimming pools in Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Finglas and Markievicz Sports & Fitness Centres. This is a shameless plug for an event I’m involved with – but it’s all in a good cause. 

The Challenge at each Centre is to have people swim a total of 45km or 1,800 lengths during the day – so whether you can do 1 length or 100, your help in getting to the overall total will be warmly welcomed!  Admission at the Centres is free tomorrow but participants and onlookers will be invited to donate to a local charity collecting at each of the Centres.  “Swim the M50!” was devised to mark the rebranding of Dublin City Council Sports & Fitness Centres and aims to create an added buzz and excitement around each Centre in their own local community. www.dublincity.ie/sportsandfitness

The future for print magazines?

This is a very interesting development from Brazil - it does sound a bit cumbersome and can’t imagine how much it costs - but I’m sure it will be simplified over time!  Trialled in a special edition of a celebrity magazine, readers could ‘like’ products on Facebook by pressing buttons embedded in the print editions.  Readers signed up via Facebook to receive the magazine and each one had a chip embedded with a link to that reader’s own Facebook page.

http://www.springwise.com/print-magazine-features-working-facebook-like-buttons/

Some quick media updates:

It’s been a busy few days with media announcements which may be of interest to your business – they include:

the launch of a new online food and drink Irish magazine – www.thetaste.ie – and some info on that is here:

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/48118-new-online-food-and-drink/

from the people who bring you Joe.ie and Her.ie comes the news that on 6^th November a new sports online platform will be launched – more detail on Sportsjoe.ie here

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/48140-sportsjoe-ie-to-launch-next/

two UTV Ireland/Newstalk stories here – Newstalk will be supplying news for UTV Ireland when it starts broadcasting in the New Year and Newstalk Breakfast presenter, Chris Donoghue becomes the Anchor for news and current affairs on the new TV station but will also retain his breakfast stint at Newstalk – good news as Ivan wouldn’t be the same without Chris!

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/48103-newstalk-to-supply-news/

http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/48072-utv-ireland-announces-chris/

www.linkedin.com/company/diy-pr

www.twitter.com/diyPRireland