Calor launches Community Champion 2012

This week, Calor has launched the inaugural Calor Community Champion 2012. This is Calor's search to find the local champions in each of our communities. These are the people who work tirelessly each and every day to improve the lives of the people around them. Calor believe it is time that these people were recognised and celebrated, and to do so they have set aside a prize fund of €10,000.

Leading the search is none other than TV and radio personality, Hector Ó hEochagáin. However, Hector and the team at Calor will be looking for the public's help. They need people around Ireland to enter and nominate their local heroes. And doing so couldn't be easier. All you need to do is ‘like’ the Calor Facebook page and enter your various details through the Community Champion app.

Speaking at the launch, Hector said, “This is a great initiative by Calor and one which I am fully behind. At last a platform to recognise real life community heroes, both young and old. You all know who they are, so give them the recognition they truly deserve. I am looking for nominations to come from every corner and county on the island, so get nominating today!”

Jennifer Fagan, Marketing Executive, Calor Gas said, “At Calor with our close connections and work in our local communities, we understand the work carried out every day by unsung heroes in towns and villages across the island of Ireland. The Calor Community Champion is one way you can recognise those who have made exceptional contributions to your local community. We want as many nominations as possible so that the people who have helped to make our community a better place can get the recognition they truly deserve."

The winner and inaugural Calor Community Champion 2012 will receive €1,500 and a bursary of €7,500 to give to their nominated charity or local organisation. Calor will even throw in €500 for the person or organisation that nominated them. Nominations to crown this year’s champion will close on July 6th. Calor will select the top 32 local champions, one from each county and put them to the public vote from July 16th through our Facebook app. The public will have four weeks to vote for their favourite and the top four local champions and two wildcards will make it through to the final phase. The winner will be chosen by the Judging Panel and announced on September 4th.

The Perfect Cuppa

More than half of Irish tea drinkers believe “you know them” if you can make their perfect cuppa!

Today, Lyons Tea have released some really interesting research conducted for them by Amárach Research. The research shows that 51% of Irish tea drinkers feel that someone knows them if they can make them a cup of tea to their particular liking. Perhaps even more interesting, 20% of people said that they judge people on their tea-making skills.

Some other interesting facts thrown up by the research were:

• More than 80% of Irish people drink tea every day
• On average Irish people make three cups of tea each day in work alone
• Using a specially developed pantone range of tea shades; from ‘perfect tan’ to ‘milky way’, it was releaved that ‘perfect tan ’is the best tea shade for 20% of Irish people
• Also, 58% of Irish people take their tea without sugar or sweetener

The research comes on the back of the launch of Lyons Tea's newly crafted range of richer tasting tea. Don't be fooled though, there is real innovation here with Lyons Tea having developed a brand new, unique pressing technology. The new process means that the tea leaves are pressed at different stages during fermentation in order to capture and preserve the genuine and refined taste of fresh tea in each blend:

• Fresh Blend: When in need of a pick-me-up….the tea leaves are pressed within hours of picking to give a uniquely clean, smooth, golden and fresh-tasting tea.
• Gold Blend: The rich full flavour tea that tea drinkers have always loved, enriched with some pressed tea leaves.
• Evening Blend: Perfect for moments of relaxation…a delicate tasting blend that combines lightly pressed leaves and decaffeinated tea.

Speaking at the launch of Lyons Tea’s new richer tasting range, Nicola Tougher, Lyons Tea Brand Manager, said, “We’re delighted to introduce our new range as Irish people have a passion for tea like no other nation, with a very refined palate. Our new range of richer tasting tea caters for just that! The two blends, Fresh and Evening, are totally new with a unique fresh taste achieved with our innovative and exclusive pressing technology. It’s a new chapter in tea!”

Dr Eddie Murphy, Clinical Psychologist (of RTE’s Operation Transformation fame), commented on the research, “It’s interesting to see what impact tea can have on relationships. It’s about noticing the small little things, the little things that become big things that enliven relationships. Small courtesies, warm smiles and making a cup of tea the way someone likes it, shows recognition and awareness - that you care about them. When people make tea for someone they’re making an emotional connection which in turn increases fondness and trust, thus enabling the relationship to grow and develop.”

Dr Eddie Murphy continued; “Unsurprisingly an overwhelming majority consider tea as a source of comfort – the ultimate problem solver. It’s the first thing we do when we hear bad news and in turn have something to celebrate. What the Lyons Tea research also reveals is that Irish people find it increasingly difficult to switch off and even experience guilt when relaxing. In terms of support networks the Irish mother maintains her legendary status as a central support figure however when we want to be cheered up best friends or partners are much higher on the list most likely as mothers tell you how it really is while best friends tend to dress things up and tell you what you want to hear!”

The new campaign has slotted in to the existing 'Talk' creative driving all of Lyons Tea's current advertising:

Savour and Sip Smithwick’s Pale Ale at Taste of Dublin 2012

Visitors to the 7th annual Taste of Dublin Festival will get to sip and savour the craft brewed taste of Smithwick’s Pale Ale, the new addition to the Smithwick’s range. The theme of this year's festival is ‘Proud to be Irish’ and with Smithwick’s 300 years of history and heritage it's no wonder they've been invited to attend.

While it may be the newest addition to the family, Smithwick's Pale Ale's craft brewed nature make it a true artisan beverage. Brewed in individual batches using the finest ingredients: aromatic Amarillo hops, 100% pale ale malt and the prized Smithwick’s yeast, Smithwick’s Pale Ale is a delicious full tasting beer with a long finish, rich golden colour and creamy head. For those yet to try it, I highly recommend giving it a go. Its unique ingredient combination gives it a distinctive flavour.

Visitors to the Iveagh Gardens, the Taste of Dublin's home, will be treated to a feast for the senses from 20 of Dublin’s top restaurants including interactive master classes and live entertainment on two stages. The festival will be launched this year by Jamie Oliver and he will also be giving a live cooking demonstration on stage during the event. Other guests include: Rachel Allen, Valentine Warner, Oliver Dunne, Richard Lewis and Ross Lewis.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/smithwicks or www.tasteofdublin.ie.

New Hard Hitting ISPCC Campaign

This week the ISPCC launched their latest campaign to drive awareness on the subject of emotional abuse. The tv ad (above) is being supported by the following three 48 sheet posters (which will appear next week from Monday 28th on sites nationwide) and the two radio ads below them (the 3rd titled ‘Bitch’ was too strong for radio stations, but is available on the ISPCC website).

48 Sheet Posters




Radio Ads
Pathetic
Friendless
Bitch

The phrases used throughout the campaign are harsh and possibly offensive to some. But the sad reality is that they are mild in relation to what is really said to the children who call looking for help. The shield image you see in the posters and TV ad are used as symbols of protection for children. By wearing a shield pin, you are helping to support the ISPCC in its fight to protect children.

This is a confrontational campaign but it was felt this approach was needed in order to draw attention to the growing issue in Irish Society of emotional abuse. In 2011 over 54,000 (14%) of contacts to the ISPCC dealt with this issue.

Guinness: Arthur's Day 2012

Today, Guinness announced that Arthur’s Day will make a return on Thursday, 27th September, 2012.

Last year, hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland and millions more worldwide came together to celebrate Arthur’s Day which is the day that recognises Arthur Guinness, his spirit and remarkable legacy.

This year, Guinness promise even more surprises and plenty of excitement for Arthur’s Day 2012, but as always the pub will be at the heart of the celebrations.

Full details for Arthur’s Day 2012 will be revealed later this summer.