Lyons Decaf - ‘Same Great Taste, Same Great Talk’

Lyons Tea has just launched its latest advertising campaign. ‘Same Great Taste, Same Great Talk’ supports Lyons Decaf tea and will run with targeted print, outdoor and online advertising and PR activity.

Decaf is the second fastest growing category within tea in Ireland at +6% (value) compared to the fastest growing, Green Tea at +11%. The Decaf market in the UK is worth £32.3m up 13.5% versus the previous year and Decaf is the fastest growing category in tea in the UK, pointing to the strong potential for growth for Lyons Decaf in the Republic of Ireland. Lyons Tea research has demonstrated that almost 90% of Irish people drink tea with the average Irish person drinking around four cups a day - an estimated 300 litres per person per year. However, Decaf tea household penetration is just 7%, half that of Decaff coffee in Ireland which has 14%.

Liz Finlay, Marketing Manager, Lyons Tea comments, “It is interesting that Irish people are more likely to buy Decaf coffee than tea… Given that so many Irish people love tea! Lyons Decaf is a great alternative for people trying to reduce their caffeine intake, with the same great taste as Lyons Tea is famous for!”

Digital Employment and Salary Survey 2011

Prosperity, Ireland's leading digital recruitment agency, have just released the results of a serious piece of research. Prosperity's Digital Employment & Salary Survey for 2011 covers all the digital sectors: Vendor/Portals, E-commerce, Digital Agency, Online Publisher, Gaming and Mobile/Telecoms.

The survey, while showing several very positive aspects of the digital sector, does highlight that there is a large shortfall in skills across the Irish digital environment. that need to be addressed if we are to be the digital colossus we aspire to be. The survey also draws comparisons between Irish salaries and those of The UK, Czech Republic, Israel and Singapore, and also includes a comparison of digital salaries today compared to those of two years ago.

For anyone involved in the sector, either as an employee or employer, I highly recommend taking a look.

ISPCC Advert - I Can’t Wait

The ISPCC recently completed a new advert. The ad has its origins in a series of conversations between Copywriter, Laurence O’Byrne, and Director, Richie Smyth. At it's core the ad is driven through a simple yet highly impactful physical and emotional impact on the viewer. Amazingly the ad was filmed and produced on a very small budget. In fact castings took place and a full crew was assembled to shoot the spot in one day in Dublin on 29th April.

The finished spot went online on at 11.00am, Tuesday, May 10th and immediately received a huge response from the public and media around the world. In three days it has become a national talking point on radio, in the press and garnered huge commentary around the world in online forums. All this helps raise awareness and much needed funds to protect Irish children from abuse.

Advertising Agency: Ogilvy
Creative Director: Colin Nimick
Art Director: Des Kavanagh
Copywriter: Laurence O’Byrne
Agency Producer: Derek Doyle
Director: Richie Smyth
Producer: Michael Duffy, Glen Collins
Production Company: Blinder

iCook With Neven

Neven Maguire has just launched a brand new app, iCook, for the iPhone & iPad. The app includes 60 of Neven's favourite recipes and allows people to easily browse the various categories to plan meals while at home or on the move. Not forgetting the basics, the app also has an additional section that has 8 recipes for stocks, sauces and other miscellaneous recipes.

Broken down into straightforward categories such as Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks/Party Foods and Desserts, there is something for everyone and all the recipes are in Neven’s familiar user-friendly style. The innovative ingredients page on each recipe allows users to amend the number of people they wish to feed and the quantity of ingredients automatically changes too.

The app utilises beautiful full colour photography for each recipe, with eleven of the recipes also offering full length video from Neven’s television series to download. There is also an advanced shopping list functionality allows users to easily plan what they want to cook, to set up a shopping list and to email it or text it to themselves, partners or a friend.

In the Kitchen section Neven guides users through the ingredients and utensils that you would find in his kitchen, offers advice with respect to the do’s and don't's of stocking your fridge, freezer and larder and discusses the utensils that are available today and should be in every aspiring Home Chef’s kitchen.

Finally, and most interestingly, the app also brings together a strong Social Media element, allowing users to post comments, photos or videos to their Facebook or Twitter account and to Neven’s at the same time.

iCook with Neven is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad and is available to download from iTunes, price €4.99.

Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange: Buenos Aires To Belfast

Back at the beginning of April I wrote about the next step in Smirnoff's Nightlife Exchange Project, an evening of Argentinian fun at Kelly's Portrush.

Basically, tomorrow evening Smirnoff will transform Northern Ireland’s biggest nightclub into an evening of thrills and excitement with the best sights, sounds and flavours of South America. In what will essentially be an Argentinian carnival, the club will feature stilt walkers, tango dancers, fire-eaters and inspired theatrical acts. Club visitors will also be greeted at the door by Paka the fire-breathing horse.


The evening's music will also draw on the best of Argentinian culture. DJ David De Valera, who represented Ireland in Buenos Aires as part of the Nightlife Exchange last November, will bring a fusion of UK dance music mixed with the best beats from South America. David will also be joined by Lush's resident DJ Col Hamilton. Col will be bringing crowd-pleasing tunes with an Argentinian twist. Finally, completing the line up is one of Northern Ireland’s most popular DJ’s, Cool FM’s Connor Phillips.


David De Valera said: “I can’t wait to get to Kelly's, to play alongside Col Hamilton and Connor Phillips and to bring a flavour of Buenos Aires to Portrush. The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange creates one off, fantastic occasions and I am looking forward to being part of this one on 14th May." 

Carol McHugh, Smirnoff Brand Manager, Ireland said: “Smirnoff was recently voted number 30 in the Social Brands 100 report. 2 It was the highest ranking alcohol brand and the only spirit on the list that ranked brands on the basis of their social interaction with people. Campaigns such as the Nightlife Exchange Project only serve to reinforce the commitment of the Smirnoff Co. to consumers by creating dynamic, one off nightlife experiences. I am looking forward to going to Kelly's and witnessing the best of Argentinian nightlife come alive at what will be a must BE THERE event."


Admission is just £7 and the doors open at 10pm. For more info on the evening and the entire Nightlife Exchange Project just pop over to the Smirnoff Facebook Page.

To get you in the mood, here is an interview with Headline DJ David De Valera talking about the event...