Claire Byrne will present RTÉ Radio 1’s late night political and current affairs programme, Late Debate, in the run-up to the general election from next Monday. Byrne currently presents The Daily Show on RTÉ One and has experience spanning 13 years in broadcasting in Ireland and Britain. She began her career in radio and worked […]
ArchiveJanuary, 2011
Creagh short gets Oscar call
Irish comedy The Crush made by freelance advertising creative Michael Creagh has been shortlisted for an Oscar in the best live action short film category in competition with four other nominees. The film tells the story of a schoolboy who is smitten with his teacher (Olga Wehrly). Belfast-born Creagh shot the 15-minute film in Skerries, […]
Sneddon to join Google
Mindshare managing director David Sneddon is quitting the WPP agency to join Google. Based in Dublin, he will take charge of online sales for Germany, Austria and Switzerland from April. Mindshare’s deputy managing director, Emma O’Doherty, will replace Sneddon. Initiative boss Chris Rayner is leaving Ireland to move to the agency’s head office in New […]
Specsavers hires WHPR
Wilson Hartnell Public Relations (WHPR) has added the Specsavers account after a five-way contest. Neither WHPR nor the optician would disclose the other agencies which pitched. Director Lorraine Dwyer will head up the account team. WHPR’s other clients include Diageo, Unilever, Aer Lingus, Marks & Spencer and Adidas. The Specsavers spoof of the Lynx Billions TV […]
Vision Express dominates Herald
Vision Express block booked today’s edition of the Evening Herald with 19 ads. The ads promote Vision Express frames, eye tests and Diesel, Emporio Armani, Jaeger, Oakley, Pepe Jeans, Ray-Ban and Ted Baker designer glasses. Vision Express has stores in Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, Henry Street and Tallaght. The idea was developed in talks between INM […]
RTE2 runs with comedy double
A new comedy series with stand-up comics gets underway tonight with RTE2 showing Stand and Deliver and The Savage Eye, David McSavage’s edgy satirical show, returning for a second run. McSavage’s comedy sketches examine different aspects of Irish life, from the health service and crime to racism. The show boasts a cast of steteotypical characters which includes […]
Josh Howie for Laughter Lounge
Josh Howie is the headline act at the Laughter Lounge comedy venue in Dublin from January 27th-29th. Howie is the son of PR doyenne Lynne Franks, who was the inspiration for Joanna Lumley’s Patsy character in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. Howie is an ex-public schoolboy, raised as a Buddhist who trained as a rabbi […]
Cawley NeaTBWA to handle Saorview
RTE has appointed Cawley NeaTBWA as its creative agency for Saorview, its free-to-air digital TV service due to be launched in May. Chemistry, Leo Burnett and Publicis QMP also pitched for the account. RTE says Saorview will offer viewers more channels, high definition (HD), higher quality sound, on-screen programme menus and digital teletext, all without […]
Star Sunday newspaper folds
The Independent Star is to close its Sunday newspaper the Irish Daily Star Sunday with the loss of 17 jobs. The Sunday newspaper did not record a profit since it was launched in 2003 and last year lost over €1 million. It was expected to lose more in the current year. Paul Cooke, managing director, […]
McCann promotes creative duo
McCann Erickson has promoted Emma Sharkey and Ray Swan to creative group heads in recognition of the work they have done in recent years, including campaigns for Heineken and the National Cancer Screening for Cervical Check. The duo have earned industry awards at ICAD and the Sharks. Both Swan and Sharkey joined McCanns from Ogilvy […]