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84 Per Cent of TDs now on Twitter

February 2nd, 2012

Our colleagues in Murray Consultants have just released results of a survey of TD’s who tweet which found that the proportion of TDs with Twitter accounts has more than doubled in the past 15 months. According to their research Eighty four per cent of TDs now have Twitter accounts compared to just 39 per cent in October 2010. Twitter is clearly playing an increased role in Irish politics and has had a significant impact in a number of Irish political controversies over the last few years such as the implosion of the recent Seán Gallagher presidential election campaign, the negative commentary on a landmark Morning Ireland interview by then Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the controversy over former Minister Willie O’Dea’s remarks about a Limerick Sinn Féin Councillor.

You can see full results and detail here http://www.murrayconsult.ie/professional-insights

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BILL CULLEN AND JACKIE LAVIN CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO ‘THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX’ IN SUPPORT OF KELLOGG’S FUN RAISE 4 KIDS

February 2nd, 2012

Apprentice boss, Bill Cullen and mentor, Jackie Lavin, this week appealed to secondary school students nationwide to support the 2012, Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids Campaign, to raise much needed funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. The duo are challenging students to come up with the ‘most innovative’ ideas and events, to raise funds for the hospital, to be in with a chance of winning a mentoring session for their school, with Bill and Jackie.

Speaking at the launch of Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids Campaign, Bill Cullen said: “This campaign is all about teenagers helping teenagers. We know that many children and teenagers who are seriously ill are forced to spend time away from their families and friends, sometimes in isolation, when battling illness. This campaign helps to raise much needed funds to improve their experience, while in hospital. I believe in rewarding those who ‘think outside the box’. Young people always amaze me with the ideas they can generate and we are really looking forward to working on this campaign and to sharing our entrepreneurial skills with the school that stands out from the crowd.”
Speaking at the launch, Jackie Lavin added: “Every single family has its own experience of illness, but it is particularly hard when illness affects a child. We know how hard the team at Crumlin work to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. In the current climate, hospitals are under severe financial pressures, which is why fundraising efforts such as Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids, remain so important. We are delighted to support this initiative and to mentor the students who come up with the most innovative event as part of their own Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids campaign.”
Dympna Cawley, Assistant Director of Nursing at Our Lady’s said: “To date, more than 10,000 secondary school students around the country have raised over €2.4 million through Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids. These funds have gone towards various projects in the hospital including St Michael’s Ward and St John’s Oncology Ward. Both wards are specialist wings where teenagers with lifelong chronic illnesses are treated. For some who spend weeks or months on these wards, the upgrades and refurbishments are imperative. In 2012, funds raised through Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids will go towards improving teenage services at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.”
Students are invited to register their event to be in with a chance to win a mentoring session with Bill and Jackie. Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids week takes place from April 23rd to 27th, 2012. There are prizes on offer for students who raise the most funds and for those who organise the most successful event. Log onto www.kelloggs.ie/funraise4kids or telephone 1890 507 508 to register an event and to get a free pack with a list of fundraising ideas, sponsorship cards and posters to help advertise events.

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Creme Egg launches Creme Egg Season 2012

January 10th, 2012

This Creme Egg Season, Cadbury Creme Egg will celebrate Cadbury’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Sponsorship. In a €700,000 integrated marketing campaign, Creme Eggs will be achieving their ultimate goal of releasing their goo in various gooey games. The campaign running from January to April 2012 will feature digital, TV, outdoor, consumer promotions, PR and experiential activation.

 

Launching with a spectacular opening ceremony in early January, viewers will be treated to five new TV ads which are all set within the Goo arena. The Egg-thletes will compete in Hurdles, Diving, Hammer, Javelin and Track Cycling, all trying to release their Goo in the best way possible. The ad finale will end in style with a fitting closing ceremony that will finish on the week of 2nd April 2012.

 

The Cadbury Ireland Facebook page will act as a hub for activity throughout the 13 weeks of the campaign offering consumers engaging content and chances to win Olympic tickets. An egg-citing new experiential concept will launch midway through the campaign delivering more online engagement for Creme Egg fans.

 

The Media Strategy will reach out to consumers across social media, game platforms and point of sale among other engaging touch-points for Creme Egg fans. Irish TV viewers will be able to enjoy the latest Creme Egg TV executions from January 9th on national TV as well as Video on Demand. In addition to that, National Outdoor, Press, Search and Mobile will also feature throughout the campaign, building excitement and enabling consumer participation.

 

Commenting on Creme Egg season 2012 Shane Guest, Brand Manger of the Irish Creme Egg 2012 programme said: “We can’t wait to kick off the 2012 Creme Egg season with what we believe will be one of our most engaging campaigns of recent years, Creme Egg season 2012 will bring Creme Eggs’ unique personality to life in an entertaining way and in doing so highlight our support for the Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams. With new ATL, excellent retailer activation and increased activity on social media we look forward to unleashing the Goo throughout 2012”.

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Videos we’re watching this month

December 23rd, 2011

With 2011 drawing to a close, this month’s ‘videos we’re watching’ post lists some of our favourites this year including some new videos that have caught our eye recently. Enjoy!

Google Zeitgeist 2011

What better way to introduce some of our favourite videos from this year than to start with Google Zeitgeist 2011 which reveals the most popular Google search terms this year.

What a wonderful world

We could listen to David Attenborough read the phone book, but Frozen Planet is much more exciting to watch! This stunning series aired this year to critical acclaim and it’s summed up beautifully in this trailer with David Attenborough narrating the lyrics to ‘What a wonderful world’.

Volkswagon the force

Darth Vader appeared a few times in our video posts this year but our favourite features a pint sized Darth Vader who uses the Force when he discovers the family’s new Passat in the driveway.

Angry Birds Live

Filmed in Barcelona, this video from T-Mobile brought the cult Angry Birds game to life, allowing people to interact with a real life version of the game using a smartphone.

The ultimate dog tease video

This topped a list of the most-watched videos on YouTube in Ireland this year. Talking animal videos have been around for a long time but this one is very cleverly edited featuring a star turn from Clark, the exasperated dog who groans and whines throughout the video to let his owner know how frustrated he has become at all of the talk of food.

STA Travel – Move

This is one of three videos from STA Travel which was filmed by three guys who embarked on an amazing trip around the world using two cameras to capture 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano and almost a terabyte of footage.

American Rom

This campaign by McCann Erickson won the Grand Prix in the Promo and Activation Lions at this year’s Cannes International Festival of Creativity. Watch the video below for a snapshot of the campaign which resulted in €300,000 value in free media and a 79% increase in market share which put the product on top of its category.

Air New Zealand safety video

In honour of the All Blacks winning the RWC, here’s a reminder of Air New Zealand’s funny yet informative safety video starring some of the All Blacks players. The safety video was screened on Air New Zealand flights for the rugby world cup.

Fenton!

The irate voice of a man chasing his dog called Fenton has inspired countless spoof videos since it was posted to Youtube earlier this year. In the video, the man can be seen running after his Labrador repeatedly shouting the dog’s name as the dog chases after deer in London’s Richmond Park.

Polite bear waves hello

Grizzly bears are not known for their manners so visitors to a safari park were surprised when this bear waved back at them.

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SIVA SERENADES WINNING SCHOOL IN KELLOGG’S ‘FUN RAISE 4 KIDS’ SECONDARY SCHOOLS CHALLENGE

November 9th, 2011

The Wanted Star Surprises Kids at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin

Irish boy band heartthrob Siva Kaneswaran and Dublin GAA heroes Eamonn Fennell and Michael Darragh MacAuley made dreams come true today as they met with winners of Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids, before visiting children on the wards.

Students from St. Michaels College from Co Kerry, Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin, Scoil Chuimsitheach from Co Galway, St. Macartan’s College from Co. Monaghan and St. Munchin’s College, Co. Limerick were treated to a trip to Dublin today to meet the boy band star and the All-Ireland players at an exclusive awards ceremony, as part of the Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids campaign. Students from St. Michael’s College were also presented with the Tom Collins Memorial Trophy, as an acknowledgment of the fantastic fund raising efforts they carried out for the hospital over the past year.

Funds raised by the Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids campaign will go towards the refurbishment St Michael’s Ward and St John’s Oncology Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. Both wards are specialist wings where teenagers with lifelong chronic illnesses are treated. For some who spend weeks or months on these wards, the upgrades and refurbishments are imperative.

Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids is an annual initiative which involves secondary school children from all over the country who organise and take part in fun, creative events to raise much needed money for the hospital. In 2010/2011, the campaign raised over €150,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Over the past ten years, €2.4million has been raised for the hospital through the Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids campaign. Students have raised money in the past by organising events including sponsored sports days, bouncy castle races, wellie races and a community high heel race – involving both men and women!

Speaking at the event today, Jim McNeill, Managing Director of Kellogg’s Ireland said; ‘This is our 10th year involved in this activity for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and each year, the lengths that the students involved go to and the monies they raise continue to amaze me. The money raised through Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids is so vital, especially in today’s climate and we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.’

Joe Quinsey, Chief Executive, the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation, also said; ‘The Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids Secondary Schools Challenge is one of our most important and powerful fundraising campaigns here in the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation. The funds raised each year from Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids go towards vital services and facilities for the teenage patients of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, so it really is great to see teenagers from all over the country working hard to help improve the lives of the teenagers we have here at the hospital.’

Lorcan Birthistle, Chief Executive for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin added; ‘The visit from Siva Kaneswaren and the GAA stars to the hospital today has an enormous benefit to both our patients and their families. Many of our children spend long periods of time in hospital. It is a major distraction from their illness to meet their idols. The funds raised by all the students who took part in Kellogg’s Fund Raise 4 Kids will go towards improving facilities in the hospital for the children and their families making their experiences here as happy and pleasant as possible.’

Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids 2012 will be launched early in the New Year and promises to be bigger and better than ever! Students and teachers interested in taking part, can log onto www.kelloggs.ie/funraise4kids or telephone 1890 507 508 to register an event and to get a free pack with a list of fundraising ideas, sponsorship cards and posters to help advertise events.

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Videos we’re watching

October 25th, 2011

Air New Zealand safety video

In honour of the All Blacks winning the RWC, here’s a reminder of Air New Zealand’s funny yet informative safety video starring some of the All Blacks players. The safety video was screened on Air New Zealand flights for the rugby world cup.

Carlsberg cinema

This Carlsberg stunt was filmed in a Belgian cinema as part of the current ‘That calls for a Carlsberg’ campaign. Pairs of cinema goers were confronted with a cinema full of bikers with only two available seats in the centre. Watch the video to see how they reacted.

Pumped up kicks Dubstep

Amazing dubstep dance to a remixed version of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks by dancer Marquese Scott. Hard to believe this is physically possible but watch it through to the end, it’s well worth it!

Puss in boots

Look at your cat. Now back to me. Now back to your cat. Now back to me. We love this send up of the Old Spice ads from Dream Works to promote the new Puss in Boots movie.

Jell-O ‘Jiggle-it’ App

Choose any track from your iTunes library or play music straight from your speakers and the Jell-O cube will dance to the beat of the music.

Aurora view from the International Space Station

Stunning footage of the Auroras (the Northern/Southern Lights) as seen from the International Space Station during September 2011.

 

Schweppes Experiential: Cocktail Revolution @ Southern Cross Station

Interesting experiential from Schweppes in Melbourne Australia. Watch the video below to see how people react to the giant crate with a peep hole revealing a teaser hologram. Three days later, the create opens to reveal an interactive cocktail mixing table.

 

Nokia – Gulp

 This short film from Wieden & Kennedy for Nokia was shot entirely on a Nokia N8 handset and set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest stop motion animation set.

STA Travel – Move

This is one of three videos from STA Travel which was filmed by three guys who embarked on an amazing trip around the world using two cameras to capture 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano and almost a terabyte of footage.

Frijj – You LOL you lose:

This site does exactly what it says on the tin, laugh out loud and it’s game over. Using face recognition via webcam, the site pits players against Youtube videos to see how long they can last without laughing.

Human Slingshot

This looks like so much fun! The video, to promote clothing company ‘Vooray’ features an eight foot tall jump and a bungie cord to create a human slingshot which spanned 150 feet.

Sprite Zero – Skate and Splash:

This ad from Sprite Zero allows the user to control the skateboarder using keyboard number keys 4-9. Using the number keys, you can decide on the combination of tricks the skater performs.

Praha Opening

Wonder how long this took to choreograph! This video features acrobats skywalking to promote a Skydive Arena in Praha. Not sure if Santa can fit this down the chimney for Christmas but we would love one in our house.

Avon interactive mirror

Interesting experiential from Avon in Slovakia earlier this year. They installed the Miraculous Mirror on a busy street equipped with a camera, microphone and loudspeakers. Avon representatives monitored the mirror via a Wi-Fi connection and interacted with female passers-by giving compliments.

Aspect photography’s Waterford Tall Ships 2011 video

This time lapse video was captured by Waterford photographer Shane O’Neill earlier this year during the Tall Ships festival. We’re sure you’ll agree it’s a pretty impressive tourism ad for Waterford!

 

Specsavers Sauna ad

 The new ‘Should’ve gone to Specsavers’ TV ad for free variofocal lenses features chef Gordon Ramsey and a visually challenged man who thinks he has entered a sauna.

Dancing kids

Who needs moves like Jagger when you can have moves like little Justin and Jeremy playing the Just Dance game on the Wii.

Dad drops child trying to catch baseball during match

We didn’t need Google translate to understand the expression on the mum’s face 30 seconds into this video from a baseball game in China.

Bully Cat Stuffs Cat In Box

And now for something completely different …

 

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Cadbury Dairy Milk launch Share a Square Smartphone Application

October 21st, 2011

As part of its largest ever Irish marketing campaign, Cadbury Dairy Milk is launching the Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square Smartphone App in Ireland. The App will transform the user’s Smartphone into a virtual bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk offering a range of interactive features from peeling back the wrapper on screen to breaking a virtual square of Cadbury Dairy Milk. A key element of the App will see it integrated with Facebook to allow users to share virtual squares with their Facebook friends. When users collect 8 squares they will then be rewarded with a real bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk during the current campaign which will run until the end of November with additional App updates released for future campaigns.

A QR code designed using squares of Cadbury Dairy Milk will appear on POS in-store in addition to print advertising directing  consumers to the App store and Android marketplace to download the App free of charge. The ‘Unwrap & Snap’ function of the App will enable the user to unwrap a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk on screen by sliding their finger down the bar. The bar can then be snapped and a virtual square broken off to send to a friend as part of the ‘Share a Square’ feature. Once a user has received 8 virtual squares of Cadbury Dairy Milk from their friends, they will be prompted to claim their free 8 square bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk in their local Centra store in ROI.

Commenting on the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App, Aideen Murphy, Brand Manager for Cadbury Dairy Milk said: “The Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App is an exciting new development for the brand, providing a wonderful opportunity for consumers to engage with our iconic 8 square bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk, albeit virtually! The size, shape and weight of a standard Smartphone is similar to a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk providing us with an opportunity to tempt consumers with the ‘Unwrap & Snap’ and ‘Share a Square’ features. The App plays a key role in the wider Cadbury Dairy Milk integrated marketing campaign which was designed to create a temptation trail reminding consumers about the irresistible taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk.”

The Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square App is available to download from the App Store and the Android Market.

 

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The Natural Confectionery Company launch Spooktacular Costume Competition

October 20th, 2011

Pictured are model mum Corina Grant with her daughter Cara Leigh (3) at the launch of The Natural Confectionery Company’s Spooktacular Costume Competition on Facebook. The lucky winner will receive some fangtastic prizes including a family break in the Croke Park hotel along with family passes to Dublin Zoo and the Croke Park Museum. For details on how to enter the competition visit www.facebook.com/funday.Ireland

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New Cadbury Dairy Milk ad launches in Ireland

September 8th, 2011

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Can we tempt you with a square of Cadbury Dairy Milk?

This week Cadbury Dairy Milk launched its biggest ever integrated marketing campaign in Ireland, running from September through to November. Inspired by the irresistible taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk, the integrated marketing campaign will involve advertising, digital and social media, PR, sampling and sales promotion channels developed in partnership with agencies; Publicis QMP, MCsquared, Ogilvy One and PHD.

Commenting on the new Cadbury Dairy Milk campaign, Aideen Murphy, Brand Manager for Cadbury Dairy Milk said: “We are delighted to announce Cadbury Dairy Milk’s biggest ever marketing campaign in Ireland.  The integrated programme is designed to create a temptation trail reminding consumers about the distinctive irresistible taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk.”

Cadbury Dairy Milk worked with Publicis QMP and production house Brand New School and director Jonathon Notaro to develop a TV ad intended to seduce the viewers with beautifully shot footage of tempting, mouth-watering chocolate in all its glory. 

The TV ad aired during the X Factor on Saturday 3rd September launching the multimedia campaign. The campaign will be released in three key phases bringing the taste of joy to Ireland through national TV, mobile advertising, a large outdoor campaign, social media, and glossy magazines. The media strategy incorporates a number of new and innovative ways to communicate directly with chocolate lovers.

 An Irish PR campaign will be implemented including, a sampling and digital programme which will provide deeper engagement with the campaign. A highlight of this will be the first ever Cadbury Dairy Milk Smartphone App in Ireland which will allow users to transform their Smartphone into a delicious bar of virtual Cadbury Dairy Milk, peeling off the iconic wrapping and breaking the bar on screen. A key feature of the App allows users to share virtual squares with their friends and collect eight of their own to claim a free bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk from participating Retailers nationwide. In-store and on-street sampling activity will also be central to the campaign aimed at interrupting consumers daily routine by tempting them with a delicious square of Cadbury Dairy Milk.

To remind Irish consumers about the simple joys of chocolate, Cadbury Dairy Milk will deliver more than 40,000 Direct Mail packages to selected Irish households. These packages will contain a complimentary 8 square bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk and an invitation to take part in competitions on the Cadbury Ireland Facebook page. The packages will also feature a QR code to direct consumers to download the Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square smartphone app.

Consumers can benefit from competitions, exclusive content and more through www.facebook.com/cadburyireland

The Cadbury Dairy Milk Share a Square app will be available to download from mid-September

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Love Irish Food!

August 30th, 2011

Inspired by International Sponge Cake day last week, Love Irish Food is calling on Irish people to bake up a storm this week and show why we prefer Irish Sponge Cakes! You can even help support Irish jobs by picking up some Sponge Cake ingredients from Love Irish Food member brands such as Odlums, Golden Irish eggs, Clonarn Clover eggs, Mega Egg, Folláin Traditional Preserves and G’s Gourmet jams, Avonmore cream, or readymade spongecakes from Tea Time Express. Alternatively you can pick up a delicious Sponge Cake from one of the member bakeries; Noirin’s Bakehouse, Cherryblossom bakery, Gran Clarkes cakes. Even decorate your sponge cake with some delicious Irish Keeling, summer strawberries.

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