The Influence of Reality

With the start of a new series of X-Factor just on the horizon, one can't help but wonder how many brand 'selling' opportunities will come with it. Cheryl and Danni will no doubt be showcasing weekly designer threads just off the catwalk ( that we now will sell like hot cakes thereafter), products and top brands being advertised in the highly sought after commercial break slots, the influence such a show wields is nothing but astounding. Networks see these reality shows as a haven for advertising spend and with the high ratings being pulled in by shows like The X-Factor it seems more similar reality programmes are in the works!

X-Factor comes to Dublin....

Louis, Simon, Cheryl and guest judge Katy Perry landed in Ireland for the first Irish auditions since 2006 - was Louis putting the pressure on?!

With The X-Factor being a brand in its own right, the show itself can wield a huge amount of power in terms of advertising, sales and producing a domino effect of chart success, but how is Ireland benefiting from the shows success in a reality TV driven society? Apart from Louis and of course the questionable 'talent' of Jedward (brilliantly branded all the same), do you think Ireland has what it takes this year to make it to the final?

Our latest brand fav

Photo by kapok



The latest home-grown Irish brand to come to our attention is Colourtrend - a brand offering quality paints and who we are happy to announce is 100% Irish - which we always love to hear! Recently featured on RTE's Nationwide, have you seen this brand before, thoughts? We heart Colourtrend, do you?

http://www.colortrend.ie/

Good News for Irish brands....

It seems some good news is coming for Irish brands who have been struggling to keep afloat due to consumers flocking across the border to shop. It has been announced that the tax (VAT) increase in the recent UK 'bloodbath' budget will be hiked up by as much as 2.5, from 17.5 to 20 percent - bringing them right up there with us, almost. Could this stop the influx of shopping up North or will you continue to travel in hopes of cheaper bargains?

Facebook - the movie!

Photo by daveynin



It was only a matter of time before it got the Hollywood treatment but yep, Facebook, the movie will be coming to the big screen this Autumn. Mark Zuckerberg & Co's rise to fame flick is based on Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding Of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal.
The film titled 'The Social Network' stars Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg and Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker - founder of Napster and one-time Facebook president.

Twitter Ban

Players from Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Holland, Germany, Argentina and England are being forbidden from using Twitter and restrictions have been put in place on other forms of internet use.
Twitter can be a great source for players and supporters alike to stay in touch with all the happenings - good thing or bad thing? Hmmmmmmmm

Juicy South African Brands

Photo by Merloni



Fruit & Veg City, South Africa’s largest growing fresh produce supplier, recently launched a campaign named 'Homegrown'.
Celebrating all things South African and making the most of World Cup 2010 exposure – this campaign aims to strengthen national pride amongst South Africans and bring more exposure to a worldwide audience.
Wouldn't it be great if Ireland brands could piggy back on this?


http://www.freshstop.co.za/fresh_shop_about.htm

Building your brand with Facebook

Breaking away from all things football related and finding this gem of a vid. Is Facebook taking over the world?
The world has gone social and Facebook seems to be the way forward. Will it burn out soon or continue to grow?
Recently out at an event, Irelandinc.ie was asking for a card or mobile number of a potential contact and low and behold found herself being told to 'look them on Facebook'!! - the horror (sign or the times, maybe).

RTÉ given a World Cup boost

Photo by infomatique



Ireland will not be taking part in this year's World Cup, which starts this week, but all is not lost - for RTÉ that is!
18 big names have signed up to have their brands exposed during the much sought after World Cup commercial breaks.

Getting in on the act

Currys electrical store have taken advantage of this week's World Cup - and by god, it certainly does pack a punch!

Drawing inspiration from Ireland's recent and controversial loss against France, is this brand taking things a wee bit too far?

World Cup Fever!

Photo by Coach J



It's almost that time again, yes - next week it will all kick off (quite literally) when each nation will be battling it out for the title of World Cup holders 2010.
However, due to a lack of judgment by one idol referee, Ireland will not be joining in on the festivities down in South Africa come June 11 - the horror!!
But what does this global event mean when it comes to brands - with many house-hold names being plastered on jerseys, adverts crammed in between commercial breaks etc, are brands using this exposure to their advantage and utilising for gain ?
However, some fear this could be to the detriment of a lot of big name brands who seem to be jumping on the World Cup band wagon wanting a slice of the profitable proverbial pie.