MFI slapped down over ‘violent’ ad

An MFI commercial showing a woman slapping her husband broke advertising rules because the domestic violence could offend viewers, the industry watchdog ruled today.

A group of five television adverts for the furniture chain prompted 217 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The watchdog upheld complaints about just one of the commercials, saying it could condone intimidation, domestic violence and aggression.

It also risked causing "social, moral or psychological harm" to children, the ASA ruled.

The advert showed a woman calling her husband into a bathroom and shouting at him for not putting down the toilet seat.

She slapped him twice, after which the camera pulled back to show the bathroom was in an MFI showroom. A salesman then walked in and put down the toilet seat.

The ASA found the commercial had breached the advertising code’s rules relating to offence, violence and cruelty, personal distress, mental harm and scheduling.

It told MFI not to broadcast the commercial again, saying it was: ".. likely to cause serious or widespread offence to viewers and could be seen to condone intimidation, domestic violence and aggression as an acceptable way to resolve issues."

The ASA welcomed MFI’s decision to voluntarily pull the commercial prior to the investigation but expressed concern that it had been aired at all.

None of the complaints about the furniture chain’s four other commercials were upheld by the watchdog.

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Google Profits Surge By 69% in Q1

Online search giant Google has reported net profitsof $1bn for the first quarter of 2007 according to figures published today. This is a 69% increase on the same quarter in 2006.

The company’s increased share of web search more than offset increased costs. Ad revenue generated from Google-owned sites reached $2.28bn with a 76% increase year-on-year.

Google extended its dominance into the display advertising market last week, when it bought DoubleClick for $3.1bn.

The company’s partner sites generated revenues through Google’s AdSense program of $1.35bn, representing a 45% year-on-year increase.

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, said: "We continued to expand our worldwide footprint, adding important new partners and growing our platform to increase our ability to deliver targeted and measurable ads."

Google’s results come after Yahoo, owner of the most visited US website and number two in internet search, this week reported an 11% fall in first quarter profits to $142m.

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For the record 25 September

’Remix’ website in the running for NI Innovation Awards | IBM launches products for customer self-service

A Donegal-based Dubliner is in the running for the 25k Northern Ireland Innovation Awards. University of Ulster student Owen Gallagher created TotalRecut.com as part of a project for his Master’s degree in design at the college. The site caters to the growing global ’remix culture’, which involves ’mashing up’ old videos and pieces of music to create something new, by helping with the struggle to find a balance between the copyrights of content creators and the freedom of expression rights of digital artists. Gallagher also developed a business plan for the site and has secured a place on the 2007/08 NCGA Kaufman Fellowship Entrepreneurship Programme.

IBM has launched a range of new products and initiatives it says are designed to capitalise on consumer demand for more self-service options from businesses. Among the new products launched are a self-service kiosk with built-in wireless capabilities and point-of-sale options, a new line of self checkout systems and a services practice focused on delivering customer-facing solutions. The new products are intended for use in areas such as automated airline check-in services. IBM has also introduced a ’Self Service Alliance’ program, intended to drive innovation and create new uses for self-service technologies through collaboration and standards-based technologies.

Fibre-optic network firm e|net has appointed Martin Keogh as its new sales director. Keogh has worked in the telecommunications field for the vast majority of his career, most recently he worked at DEG as sales and marketing director for a period of six years and prior to that as regional sales manager of Esat Telecom for five years. The firm has also appointed Barltey McElroy as director of corportate development. He is set to take overall responsibility for the identification and delivery of initiatives that will further enhance the use of the company’s Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). McElroy previously worked as Director of Wholesale Business for Ireland and the Nordics with BT.

The latest set of mobile advertising guidelines for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region were released Tuesday by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). The Association says that the guidelines are designed to foster the uptake of mobile advertising by global brands as well as enhance and protect the customer’s experience. Among the areas covered by the guidelines are: how to purchase and use mobile web advertising, how to use mobile web banner advertising, recommended aspect ratios and banner dimensions, maximum file sizes, file formats and other technical specifications. The guidelines have been endorsed by Yahoo, the GSM Association and the DotMobi advisory group.

Nortel has been named the number one player in the Irish PBX/IP market for the second year running by global telecoms and IT market analyst MZA. Their 2007 report states that Nortel had a 38 percent share of the Irish PBX/IP PBX extensions market. The survey also named Nortel as leading the IP extensions market, with a 34 percent share in this area. "Our report indicates that there is significant growth taking place in the Irish IP extensions market as businesses seek out the costs advantages that IP represents," said Stephanie Watson, General Manager at MZA.

Enterprise IT management software firm CA and IT services provider Deft have announced the delivery of a new recovery management system for Tourism Ireland’s offices in Ireland and around the world. The recovery system will safeguard all core operational data, including important marketing, HR and finance information, using CA’s XOsoft WANSync product. As well as maintaining business continuity, the solution also ensures compliance with key legislation such as the Data Protection Act.

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Limerick firm secures USD29m deal

Limerick’s Advanced Innovations has secured a USD29 million contract with US firm Nationwide Electronics to develop an electronic tagging system for livestock. –

The deal was announced by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Michael Martin TD in Washington DC, where he is currently engaged in an Enterprise Ireland trade mission.

The new product to be developed by the two companies will use electronic tags and satellite technology to remotely monitor the health of large cattle herds in the US by keeping tabs on vital signs such as heartbeat and temperature. Advanced Innovations is to be involved in all stages of the product’s development, manufacturing and testing before it is delivered to distributors in the US.

"The talent and skills of the Advanced Innovations management and staff were key to securing this deal," said Minister Martin, speaking at the signing of the contract in the US capital. "The fact that this contract is being signed on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission is significant. Enterprise Ireland is fully committed to supporting Irish firms which are taking the lead in the high-tech sector," he added.

Advanced Innovations currently employs 29 people at its offices in Limerick’s National Technological Park. Founded in 2003 with the merger of two smaller contract electronics manufacturers (CEMs), the company provides business process outsourcing services to the electronics industry, managing the planning, sourcing, manufacturing and delivery of products on behalf of clients. In addition to its Limerick headquarters, it also has offices in the UK, Germany, Canada, the US and Shenzhen in China.

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Google puts ads in YouTube video clips

Google has come up with a way to make its billion dollar investment in YouTube pay dividends — by including advertising with the clips.

According to the search giant, the new advertising model will be up to 10 times more effective than the ads that are currently on the video website.

The new ad format includes semi-transparent animated "overlays". These ads will be placed on the bottom of video windows while the clips are played, beginning a few seconds into each clip, and can be clicked on to open the ad in full.

Viewers are given the option to close the ad, or wait for it to play itself out. If users choose to investigate the ad further, the original video clip is paused. Viewers will also be able to comment on the ads shown. The new format will be rolled out across the sponsored sections of YouTube’s site.

The tech giant has been hard pressed to prove that the USD1.6 billion it paid for the consumer generated media site in October 2006 was worth the price tag. Analysts have expressed concerns that the site would not be able to generate the revenue needed for Google to make a return on its investment.

The firm thinks it has hit on a winner with the new ad formats, testing the proposed ads with advertisers and content partners including Warner Music and BMW.

However, it remains to be seen if Google can live up to its promises of the ads’ effectiveness — and if users will tolerate them. Although Google claimed trials showed less than 10 percent of people closed the ad down, and 75 percent actually viewed the full ad, YouTube’s loyal fanbase may not be so enamoured of the site’s commercialisation.

YouTube has in the region of 130 million YouTube subscribers. However, since Google took over the site, the firm has been dogged by threats of legal action for copyright infringement from various sources who want their work removed from the site, including Viacom.

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Sharks swim with the tide in global market

The 45th annual Shark Advertising Awards festival has been taking place this weekend in Kinsale, Co Cork.

Just like at every other gathering of advertising people around the world, the event will be dominated with discussions and seminars on topics like: ‘‘Do you have a future in advertising?”, ‘‘Why advertising and entertainment are merging’’ and ‘‘One to One Communication – The Importance of …”

The multimedia world, and new technology in particular, hasn’t simply made our media options broader, it has actually expanded and changed the ways a brand can behave.

I believe that our talent is still about telling brand stories, and TV commercials still have a big role in that. However, by embracing new systems, formats, screens and experiences, we can redefine in a much more profound way how those stories are told.

That’s a big challenge for traditional advertising agency thinking, structures and behaviour.

For me this offers advertising in Ireland a huge opportunity to become a more significant player on the world stage. There are lots of people working in Irish companies today that are as good as – if not better than – anyone else worldwide.

But don’t take my word for it. While recently perusing the IDA Ireland website, I came across the following claim that is helping to sell Ireland to the world: ‘‘Ireland. Knowledge is in our nature.”

I think that is a pretty interesting thought. Similarly, if we were selling Irish advertising to the world, we might claim: ‘‘Creativity is in our nature’’.

After all, creativity should be the essence of what the advertising agency business is all about.

Expanding on the knowledge is in our nature. IDA Ireland talks about Ireland having ‘‘a qualified workforce with a unique capacity to innovate and initiate new ways of working that can make business more dynamic, more efficient and ultimately more profitable’’.

That sounds to me like the basic components required by creative people and creative companies. It then expands talks about the importance of ‘‘connectedness and flexibility’’ in the Irish economy.

Our 21st century Ireland is connected, open and networked. The EU ‘‘network’’ for instance, has greatly improved our professional standards, increased our market horizons and given us much more credibility in attracting foreign direct investment ‘‘clients’’.

Any insights in that for the Irish advertising agency sector? Let me think about that for a moment.

IDA Ireland’s experience has led it to the conclusion that some of the biggest names in the world – including Microsoft, Intel, Pfizer and Dell – have chosen Ireland because, as well as providing attractive tax incentives, we also deliver.

Our business environment boasts people with initiative and an ability to innovate, and our economy is networked with (and connected to) international markets, global thinking and high standards.

In short, this is a business location that is flexible, efficient and fast moving in how we organise and work.

It may be worthwhile for the Kinsale gathering to reflect on that.

How does the advertising agency business in Ireland live up to the IDA thinking?

Networked and connected?

Advertising is as international as business gets, with a very significant US flavour. In fact, the US accounts for about 60 per cent of all worldwide advertising activity.

The global industry is extremely well networked and connected because that’s what works best for the worldwide advertising industry, the Irish economy and the kind of companies we would like to locate here.

Most of the major international advertising agency networks are represented in various forms in Ireland.

Eleven of the top 12 media buying companies in Ireland are a part of international networks.

Connectedness is so important in this part of our industry, not least because being a part of an international network provides exposure and access to international best practice.

This is vital for a tiny market like Ireland in a worldwide industry that is on constant fast forward. Being networked and connected raises creative and professional standards and expectations.

It also opens opportunities to export the creative knowledge that is our nature.

An innovative ethos?

Initiative and innovation go to the heart of creativity. At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach consumers through traditional media and traditional techniques, initiative and innovation in what we do is becoming critical.

The relationship between brand and consumer is shifting and consumers have become much more active participants.

TV commercials still have a very important role, but the ideas for growth, which should predicate good TV commercials, are what matter most.

So, ideas first, creative content next and then execution in specific media like digital, print, TV, etc.

Flexible, efficient, fast moving?

I agree with IDA Ireland that, inherent in Irish people, there is a ‘‘unique capacity to initiate and innovate new ways of working’’. And I really believe that the advertising agencies need to embrace this unique capacity.

We need to move at the accelerated pace that the business world is moving at. This will require us to overhaul the traditional structures and procedures that are a legacy from an agency time that has passed.

It should force us to examine our skills base to ensure that we have the standard of expertise required to define a brand’s behaviour across the entire media landscape.

It is only by taking initiatives and innovating new ways of working that the Irish advertising industry can truly take its place on the world stage, even if that is among the Sharks of Kinsale.

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Yahoo hopes Mash will be a monster

It’s take two for Yahoo as the internet giant launches a new social networking site, its second such foray into the field.

Mash is a new service from Yahoo currently in its beta mode. The social networking project can only be accessed by invite at present, and opened to a handful of users on 14 September. The new project follows the failure of Yahoo 360, the firm’s previous effort at infiltrating the social networking sphere, to gain a significant foothold in the market.

Mash adds to the stable of Web 2.0 sites that have either been acquired or developed by Yahoo. These include Flickr, the photo sharing service; del.icio.us, a website for sharing links on the internet; and Upcoming.org, an event planning service.

This latest move is part of Yahoo’s efforts to revitalise its internet business, which has suffered from slower growth relative to that of its chief rival, Google. Industry commentators have long suggested that Yahoo look at moving into the social networking space in order to give its business the kick start it needs to compete more effectively.

Yahoo is more than a little late to the social networking party though and has a lot of catching up to do with its fellow revellers who have impressed investors.

Facebook reportedly walked away from a USD1 billion offer from Yahoo last year while MySpace was bought by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation for USD580 million in 2005.

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Google punts ads on the move

Google has expanded its AdWord product to mobiles, allowing creators of mobile content to embed Google advertisements into their pages and receive revenue on click-throughs.

But advertisers expecting a desktop browser may be disappointed when their beautiful landing page is rendered on a two inch screen.

Advertisers pay for every user that arrives at their landing page (the page the advert links to), and the page hosting the advert gets around 80 percent of the money. Google’s initial intention is to apply that same model to mobiles; serving the same adverts to pages designed for mobiles, without offering advertisers the ability to target either platform.

As users start to understand the potential as well as the limitations of mobile data, the scramble to present them with advertisements is well underway. However, taking an internet model and applying it to the mobile browsing experience may not be the best idea.

Google is planning to trans-code the landing pages to suit the mobile device being used, but even if it can squeeze the whole thing onto a mobile phone in a useable form, it’s questionable if the content of the landing page will be of interest to the user.

Most landing pages require the user to buy or sign up to something, which may suit the user sitting in a comfortable office chair, but is unlikely to be of interest to the same user trying to find a pub.

Nokia’s purchase of Enpocket was a recognition of that company’s understanding of the mobile advertising business. Google may understand advertising, but when it comes to mobile phones it’s still got a lot to learn.

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Bulmers International Comedy Festival

Following the phenomenal success of The Bulmers International Comedy Festival Dublin, the festival, now in its fourth year, is coming back – bigger, better and longer!

The Bulmers International Comedy Festival has now become one of the top five largest comedy festivals in the world! Taking over the city of Dublin for an amazing three weeks from September 3rd, venues across Dublin will play host to the very best of Irish and International comedians.

Already confirmed for this years event are Jimmy Carr; Ross Noble; Lenny Henry; Paul Merton; The Panel Live; Rich Hall; Jerrmey Hardy; Punt And Denis; Circus of Horrors; Puppetry of The Penis; Barabbas 40 Songs Of Green and Shady Okes. Over the course of the coming weeks further acts will be added to the bill for this years line up so keep your eye out for new arrivals!

The Comedy Festival in past years has played host to the crème de la crème of comedic talent from the undeniable genius of Denis Leary to Multi Award winning British writer/comedian Ricky Gervais. Source

Ryder Cup snub nets €25,000

A NOT-for profit group which claimed it had been given a sub-standard corporate box during last year’s Ryder Cup has agreed to accept €25,000 compensation from the event organisers.

The US-Ireland Alliance, whose board members include Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Senator George Mitchell, settled its legal action against a sports management company after claiming it had been unreasonably moved from its corporate box, which amounted to breach of contract.

The group, which flies wealthy American businesspeople to Ireland in an effort to strike up business deals, took legal action just days before the golf competition teed off last September after it was moved from a prestigious box overlooking the 17th hole to what it claimed was inferior accommodation overlooking the 16th.

The alliance, claimed the change in reservation was a breach of contract and sought an injunction against the Ryder Cup and hospitality agency Platinum One in the High Court.

However, Judge Frank Clarke refused the injunction.

Yesterday the alliance said that Platinum One, the sports event management company headed by former Chairman of the RTE Authority Fintan Drury, had paid it €25,000 in damages plus legal costs to settle the claim.

President of the US Ireland Alliance Trina Vargo said "We had hoped to resolve this quietly but Platinum One forced us into court by refusing to provide what was contracted."

She said Judge Clarke was required to decide the case "on the balance of convenience" and felt that if he ordered the Alliance to be positioned where contracted, some other group would have to be moved to facilitate it. source

Smart campaign re-launches ebookers

ebookers.com has introduced a fresher and more customer centric identity to support the launch of the new website and bring the brand in line with the site’s improved functionality.

Significant investment from parent company Orbitz Worldwide has resulted in a new positioning for the ebookers.com brand and, for the first time in 10 years, a new logo which better reflects the values of the company.

To support the re-brand, ebookers has commissioned a multimedia campaign communicating the new strap line ‘smart bookers are ebookers’. The campaign launches on 10th September and positions the brand as the choice for travel savvy customers who want a single provider to cater for all their needs, whilst saving them time and money.

Ciaran Lally, ebookers.com UK and Ireland MD, added, “ebookers.com is credited with being the first travel agent to launch an interactive website in 1996. After 11 years as one of Europe’s largest online travel agents, we felt it was essential to significantly enhance the functionality on our website focusing on improving the customer experience, particularly in making booking decisions easier. The new brand identity is in keeping with an improved ebookers.com that aims to achieve this.

“We know our customers are very travel savvy and so we are striving to provide a service and range of travel products that make it easier to get the holiday, flight or hotel our customers want.”

Original photography has been commissioned in Sardinia, Rome, San Francisco and Marrakesh. For the first time ebookers.com is also working with trusted celebrity top Radio One DJ, Jo Whiley, who provides the voice-over for the radio advertisements.

Created by CHI and Partners, with MediaCom handling media planning and buying, the campaign includes outdoor, press, online and radio. Founding Partner, Warren Moore, says, ‘Smart bookers are ebookers’ acknowledges people who are not only assured of a great deal but also join a community of smart holiday makers. This is reflected in the confident and intelligent tone of voice captured in the campaign execution”

The campaign also includes a strategic PR campaign, developed by European communications agency Pleon. Account Director Cathryn Brannan comments, “Using the Smart Bookers concept we have introduced a unique positioning for ebookers to generate excitement around the re-launch. The PR consumer campaign includes press and online activity, as well as an influencer campaign with a difference!” Source

UTV Posts Flat Profit Figures

Lack-lustre advertising sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland kept profits flat at media company UTV.

Group turnover was £57.2 million (€84 million), compared with £57.1 million last year. Group operating profit before exceptional items rose 4 per cent at £13 million.

Radio advertising in Ireland and Britain remained flat on a like-for-like basis. Television advertising revenue fall by 1 per cent, while new media revenue grew by revenue grew by 12 per cent.

But UTV group chief executive John McCann said the company had performed strongly in a challenging environment. Source

GAA Hunts Cash Input

TV channels hoping to land exclusive rights to cover the All-Ireland hurling and football championships for the next three years will be given a blunt warning by the GAA — back our proposed new sponsorship €29 million arrangement or there’s no deal.

The GAA are currently trawling through the market place, hoping to convince six major companies to come aboard for a three-year sponsorship deal where their names will not be directly linked to the championship, as has been the case with Bank of Ireland and Guinness for over a decade.

The GAA has priced sponsorship of the hurling championship at €4.6million per company over three years while the asking price for football is €5.1m. If successful, it guarantees a massive return of €29.1m over the next three years. That averages out at €9.7m per year, which is more than three times the current income from current title sponsors, Guinness and Bank of Ireland.

No sponsor’s name will be directly linked to the championships but instead the GAA will offer them a whole range of inducements.

According to a confidential promotional pack seen by the Irish Independent, these include a guarantee that the company’s name will be a presenting sponsor of the TV coverage of the championship, exclusive advertising rights at grounds which stage championship games and generous ticket packages.

Benefits

RTE’s contract to cover the championships ends this year and it’s understood that they will have some challengers, principally Setanta, for the rights over the next few years.

According to the presentation currently being put before potential sponsors by the GAA, the sponsors will have their logos carried on all TV coverage as well as featuring in

’stings’ built into the various breaks.

Sponsors will also be given a dominant presence on advertising hoardings in Croke Park and in key positions at other championship grounds.

In effect, existing advertisers will be squeezed out in favour of the six major companies who are bank-rolling the championship. The new sponsors will be entitled to 100 free tickets for All-Ireland finals with an option to buy a further 200.

They will also have access to tickets for games in previous rounds.

The GAA’s sponsorship proposal, which is based on a format used at major international events such as the Olympics Games and rugby and soccer World Cups, represents a bold step by the GAA. If successful it will greatly increase their income in future years.

According to the GAA’s brochure, the model "has been comprehensively evaluated by Sponsor Metrix, a company that specialises in international rights packages". The new approach is designed to squeeze the maximum return from the championships at a time when their popularity is at an all-time high. It’s also designed to reduce ambush marketing.

Approached

"In recent years, we have become ever more conscious of the plethora of brands trying to associate themselves with our games. We believe that it has become ever more important that we control this area so that it does not become diluted for our official partners," writes GAA president, Nickey Brennan in an introductory message to would-be sponsors.

It’s not known as yet how many companies are being approached by the GAA but six have been identified in the glossy presentation, showing how the advertising signage would operate in Croke Park under the new deal. They are: Bank of Ireland, Guinness, Vodafone, ESB, Toyota and Coca-Cola. The first two are already involved as championship sponsors; Vodafone sponsors the All-Stars and Player of the month awards; ESB back the All-Ireland minor championships; Toyota are the GAA’s official car supplier while Coca-Cola are involved in a range of GAA activities, including Feile na nGael.

Despite losing title status, Bank of Ireland and Guinness are likely to stay aboard but it remains to be seen if the other four, can be persuaded to become part of the new arrangement.

Sponsorship of the National Leagues, currently held by Allianz, and the All-Ireland club championships (AIB) will remain separate. Source

Event Manager – Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation

Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation manages the university campus facilities at Maynooth outside of class time on behalf of St Patrick’s College and NUI Maynooth. During the academic year it has responsibility for 74 bedrooms. During the summer this increases to 1,000 bedrooms. There are more than 60 meeting-rooms available on the campus, in addition to catering facilities, sports venues and cultural facilities. Maynooth Campus handles a variety of contracts, including short-stay accommodation, academic conferences, sports programmes, language schools and business meetings.

The Role

The Events Manager’s role is central to the smooth operation of the business. On-campus, s/he liaises with key support departments. The role involves close and regular liaison with clients, including building up a rapport, understanding their needs and ensuring delivery of the required service.

Regular tasks in this role include:

Meetings and communication with Catering; site inspections with potential customers; pre-event meetings with clients to establish their needs; drawing up event schedules; regular contact in the pre-event period; liaison with Accounts re deposit requests and invoices; liaison with other support departments; high-profile presence in the days leading up to and during an event; de-briefing after events. The Events Manager also provides ongoing support to the manager and contributes to planning for future developments and marketing strategy.

Details

The Events Manager role is full-time. Basic hours are 09:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. A degree of flexibility, including weekend work, particularly during the summer season, is essential. The salary is in the range of€27K to €30K per annum. The contract will be for 12 months, providing cover during maternity leave, commencing on 8 October 2007. It offers a pleasant working environment and an attractive leave allowance.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be expected to work as part of a busy back-office team, contributing positively to its aim of further developing a growing business. Awareness of and a commitment to customer service are vital. Experience in a similar environment, such as a hotel, would be an advantage but is not required.

Location: Maynooth Campus

Salary: €27 to €30k

Contact: bill@maynoothcampus.com; W: www.maynoothcampus.com

Account Executive for Creative Advertising Agency

DMA is one of Dublin’s leading creative Advertising agencies and can boast an enviable array of clients including major Irish and international brands across a number of consumer and corporate accounts. This is a great opportunity for a recent graduate with ambitions of starting a career in Advertising. The role will offer great experience, responsibility, and career progression. You will have exposure to all elements of the marketing mix, and will be heavily involved in exciting campaigns!

Duties of this role:

- Developing, implementing and co-ordinating Advertising campaigns under the direction of the Account Director

- Ensure day-to-day running of ongoing campaigns

- Working closely with the Account Director at all stages from; concept generation, pitch, management, analysis, feedback and reporting

The right candidate will have:

- Enthusiasm and initiative to work in a fast moving marketing environment

- Proven experience in managing all aspects of a marketing campaign

- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

- Preferably a 3rd level marketing or other relevant qualification

- Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Great prospects and competitive salary for the right candidate.

Location: Dublin

Salary: €Competitive

Contact: mark@dma.ieWeb: www.dma.ie

Events Coordinator

Hotel Solutions is hotel venue finding agency, conference booker and Event Management Company. The Company has been in operation for 5 years.

Role & Responsibility: Reservations Agent /Events Coordinator

·Reservations agent

Source and book hotels on behalf of our clients

• Conference Coordination:

Work as a venue finder & coordinate conference details prior to conference.

• Book Keeping:

Some experience in book keeping would be an advantage

• Administration/ General:

General office duties, including answering calls, processing conference enquiries & reservations, day-to-day administration, & processing invoices

• Customer Service:

Ability to handle queries, make follow up calls and develop

Strong customer relationships over the phone is essential

• Skills

The ideal candidate will have excellent attention to detail with the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively.

The ideal candidate should be a self – starter and willing to work on their own initiative. You must be proactive and be able to work to deadlines.

You must be a team player, with excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.

• Experience

Experience in hotel reservations or an administration or sales support role would be an advantage. Proficiency in Microsoft office packages, i.e. excel is an advantage.

Working knowledge of accounts package, Pegasus would be an advantage, however

Full training will be given.

Location: Hotel Solutions, Lucan, Co. Dublin

Salary: €22,000 – €25,000 + Compensation & Benefits + Excellent perks available

Contact: Michelle Thornton, Managing Director

Communications Manager

This newly created position is a unique opportunity to play a key role within a dynamic team in the not for profit sector. Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs, the ideal candidate will have in-depth experience of both the media, marketing and public relations. They will be required to develop and implement a communications strategy that is focused on raising awareness, building brand identity and supporting fundraising, advocacy and media objectives.

AMinimum of 5 – 10 years experience in public relations, preferably in PR consultancy, journalism or in-house communications is required. A mix of public policy awareness and experience of corporate and consumer PR is also desirable and knowledge of new media would be an advantage.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 14th of September 2007,

Contact: Avril Daly Head of Public Affairs, Fighting Blindness, Christchurch Hall High Street, Dublin 8

Tel: 01 709 3050

Email: avril.daly@fightingblindness.ie

Event Staff – ‘All Ireland Challenge 2007’

Bravo! Group require Event Staff for the ‘All Ireland Challenge 2007’ which is taking place in Bundoran, Donegal from Tuesday September 11^th, 2007 – Sunday September 16^th, 2007.Event Staff will be required to make their own way to Bundoran and back and accommodation is based in Bundoran.

Event Background:

The aim of the All Ireland Challenge is to create higher performing teams for the work place through the demanding experiences that they go through over the course of the Intelligent Sport® event. The event will involve 70 business teams throughout Ireland to compete against one another for qualification for the European and World Team Challenges. The ‘All Ireland Challenge’ is pitched at Ireland’s high ranking decision makers and executives from top international companies and Ireland’s top SME’s.

A ‘Thank You Party’ will be organised on Saturday September 15^th, for all the staff involved in the ‘All Ireland Challenge’.

Stage Managers and will be based at checkpoints throughout the event stages.

Location: Bundoran and surrounding areas.

Salary: 45 per day for 5 days = €225 for the week plus accommodation and meals.

Contact: Ms. Aoife Brennan,Bravo Group, 10 Westland Square, Dublin 2.

Tel: + 353 1 6745930Email:abrennan@bravo.ie

Fundraising & Events Executive

Job Description-The National Children’s Hospital Tallaght

The Fundraising & Events Executive Post is a Part Time position, based on a probationary period.

The ideal candidate should possess:

·Excellent IT skills (including all windows applications, a knowledge of databases would be benefitial)

·Excellent interpersonal skills

·The ability to work as a member of a team

·Good general administration skills and record keeping

·Highly efficient with excellent time management skills

·An understanding of the voluntary sector and have a desire to work in a non-profit organisation

·A proven track record in meeting targets, working to deadlines, preparing reports and presentations

·Should be able to work on their own initiative, be self motivated and possess good communication skills.

The Fundraising & Events Executive role will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

·Offering administrative support to the Director of Fundraising & Events

·Providing administrative back-up for external fundraisers

·Tracking and follow up of potential fundraisers

·Support a number of existing fundraising events by maintaining the relevant database and information management system

·Liase with external fundraisers and co-ordinate support for their campaigns.Ensure they have sufficient support materials for events and activities.

·Greeting and dealing with people who call into the fundraising office

·Other general admin duties such as: correspondence, receipting, phone calls, emails, post.

·Attend fundraising events and ensure smooth running of event.Co-ordinate event requirements in advance.

·Build internal relationships with nursing staff to better market NCHT product

·In the absence of Director of Fundraising & Events take on aspects of role that are required to be attended to urgently

The duties of the Fundraising & Events Executive will reflect the rapidly changing nature and diversity of a small, but busy, fundraising department.

The Fundraising & Events Executive will report to the Director of Fundraising and Events.

The Fundraising & Events Executive normal working week will be 25 hours per week,over 5 days.

Location: Dublin

Salary: €18,000-€20,000

These hours may be changed due to the requirements of the fundraising office at the discretion of the Director of Fundraising & Events, from time to time evening and weekend work will be required.

Please contact Ciara O’Grady on 01-414 2374 or email your cover letter and CV to ciara@thenationalchildrenshospital.ie

Marketing Co Coordinator

Initially a three month contract is available to the successful candidate. Premier Fleet are looking for an energetic, self motivated and highly organised individual to join an already developed company to promote our continued expansion with the organisation & development of seasonal projects.

Responsibilities:

• Market research/intelligence.
• Develop, write and edit literature on consumer products.
• Co-ordination of various print, fulfilment and distribution activities.
• Create and issue marketing information in support of the product range.
• Direct mail marketing campaigns.
• PR of new premises.
• Identify new market opportunities.
• Improvement/Production of company website.

Location: Ballymount Dublin 12

Salary: Neg

Contact: Tel: + 353 1 4050505
email: jrobinson@premierfleet.ieW:www.premierfleet.ie

You will have or are undergoing a Marketing Qualification with a creative flair and relevant experience. You will be highly motivated and a positive thinker, with the ability to work on your own initiative. APPLY TODAY FOR IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW

Executive Events Manager

Deloitte, one of Ireland’s leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services through over 900 people in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Known as employer of choice for its innovative human resources programmes, the firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel.
Role and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Business Development and working with a busy marketing team (including one Marketing Executive for events), the Executive Events Manager will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation and management of a number of marketing and business development events, ranging from large conferences to hospitality events.
Specifically the Executive Events Manager will be required to:

• Project-manage a number of significant flagship firm events. This will involve the coordination of internal meetings, developing critical paths and timelines, allocation and monitoring project tasks, managing external suppliers, onsite event management, reporting and feedback.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors, including hotels, caterers, audio/visual suppliers etc on behalf of the firm.
• Plan and execute all operational and logistical functions related to firm events, including staging, signage etc
• Manage the internal preplanning of major events, such as attendee lists, speakers, event registration, equipment, printed collateral and promotional items
• Develop budgets and cost analysis for all events
• Liaise with department and industry group heads to develop, cost and execute business development and hospitality events at national and regional level
• Manage the process of gathering and disseminating feedback to department heads, on key client events
• Plan and execute a number of significant firm hospitality events
• Manage the relationship with professional event management agencies
• Implement an efficient post-event reporting system that will facilitate internal reporting on the effectiveness of events and future recommendations
• Research and recommend new opportunities for events, supported by the generation of creative ideas, the provision of cost estimates, resource analysis and competitive intelligence.
• Oversee the regular communication of upcoming events to the wider partner group.
• Manage the work plan of the Marketing Executive (events)

Skills and Qualifications

• A Business/ Marketing qualification is essential. The candidate must demonstrate a strong record of achievement in their educational attainments to date.
• 3-5 years experience in professional event management, either with an agency or in-house
• Excellent project management skills and results-orientation
• Proven experience preparing, monitoring and managing a large events budget
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders at all levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer literacy is essential
• Capable of building strong relationships with external suppliers
• Demonstrated ability to be a strong team player and capable of working on own initiative
• Bright, energetic and positive disposition.

Salary: Neg

Contact: James Garvin

Website: www.deloitte.com/ieTel:+353 1 417 2200

Location: Deloitte & Touche House, Earslfort Terrace, Dublin 2