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 […]
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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 […]
Innovation and wise spending key in 2011
Marketing executives determined to innovate and make creative use of tighter budgets will win out in 2011 as employers come under more pressure to win business, Alternatives’ managing director Sandra Lawler has said. An ability to develop strategic plans and insights will be the key skill sets that stand out in the coming year. Lawler said […]
ESB to spend €8m on rebrand
The ESB plans to invest up to €8 million in changing its corporate name to Electric Ireland as it rebrands its residential and business energy services. Consumers will see the new name on bills and communications from next April but the ESB name will not be phased out until the start of 2012. The rebranding […]
Newstalk hard-hitting from a height
Newstalk 106-108 is running a poster campaign on the corner site of Earlsfort Terrace and St Stephen’s Green with messages that take a shot at its main rival RTE. Frank Cronin, chief executive, Newstalk, said the campaign proposition was that the station delivers the best independent analysis of the issues in Ireland. The ads, which […]
Comedy book sales hit 3,000
Sales of the new Irish comedy book Ash, Sure What Of It now exceed 3,000 copies. Launched in early October, the book by Michael Cullen is a collection of one-liners and short gags, illustrated throughout with cartoons. It is aimed at bucking the current economic downturn and humorously capturing the zeitgeist of our troubled times. Ash, […]
MediaVest to lead on HSE
Publicis-owned MediaVest has been appointed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to handle its media buying and planning for the next year. Two other agencies, Carat and Mindshare, have been added to the HSE media roster. The news follows last week’s decision by the HSE to appoint three creative agencies, Cawley NeaTBWA, Kick Communications and […]
Foodies to descend on RDS
Thousands of food and wine enthusiasts are expected to turn up at one of the top gastronomical events of the year as some of the country’s top chefs demonstrate their favourite festive recipes at the Food & Wine Christmas Show in the RDS Main Hall starting today and running all weekend. Chef Kevin Thornton, right, […]
Setanta starts HD broadcasts
Setanta Ireland will become the first Irish channel to broadcast in high definition when it shows the Manchester United Premier League game against Blackburn live from Old Trafford at 3pm this Saturday. It will be followed by the second round of the FA Cup, Wales versus New Zealand rugby and Juventus against Fiorentina. Setanta HD […]
Shoppers to cut Christmas spend
Just over half of Irish shoppers plan to reduce their Christmas spend this year with one in ten waiting to see what happens in the Budget, a report by Axa Financial indicates. Some 51 per cent will spend less shopping over the festive season, while just one per cent say they intend to buy more […]
