Christmas online sales going through the roof...

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With the arctic weather taking hold of the country many are opting to complete their christmas shopping online.
Research from payments company Visa Europe show Irish consumers are set to spend a total of €356m online on gifts in the run up to Christmas with an average spend of €172 per shopper. More than 9 out of 10 Irish adults plan to buy some Christmas gifts online this year.

Irish shoppers are flocking online believing that they can save on Christmas gifts by buying them over the Internet instead of locally. Is this true though? So many local and nationwide stores are becoming more competitive so is it worth buying online?

A small island in a big ocean...

Bringing a positive light in these dark fiscal times, I like this advert. Do you like it or is it just too little too late?

Christmas creeping

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The Christmas lights are up on Grafton street and they're beaming as shoppers get in the spirit even earlier this year.
The festive toys and decorations for sale have been displayed since late October, but when is enough really ENOUGH?
This is christmas creeping (creeping - christmas lights going up and advertising products earlier each year) at an immense level.
Is this helping or damaging a brand?

Happy Mondays!

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Whilst on the trek into work yesterday, I discovered probably the most wondrous little section of journalism (that is hard to find these days).
Within the pages of Metro (Ireland) there is a one page mash-up of all things positive called 'Happy Monday'. All of the snippets of news on 'Happy Monday' has a positive spin, is this the way forward or just a whimsical way take the edge off the pain and turmoil being felt the country and world over?

Italian Inspiration

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Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the world, opened its flagship New York City location on August 31, 2010. The New York City culinary haven will have plenty for visitors to shop, taste and savor including seven full-service eateries, a café, wine shop, bakery and patisserie, and a culinary educational centre. The marketplace also offers a variety of cured meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats and fish, handmade pastas, desserts, baked goods, coffees and teas, as well as a selection of housewares and books, Italian dried pastas, canned goods, sauces, olive oils and more. Eataly will also give way to an open-air rooftop beer garden to New yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy!

On discovering the existence of such a place, I ponder on the opportunity this little gem could hold for brand Italy. From the awareness and purchase of many Italian brands to in-store booking of flights to the homeland , I can't help but wonder, why on earth haven't we thought of this yet?
With so much to offer (and many Irish occupying New York as well as all corners of the globe), could brand Ireland not jump onboard this soaring venture and take a piece of the action?


http://www.newyork.eataly.it/

Vodafone looking for new agency

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It seems one of Ireland's mobile phone giants are looking for fresh ideas. Vodafone will be opening up for tender after spending the past seven years with the same agency, DDFH&B, which agency will come out on top?

http://www.sbpost.ie/mediaandmarketing/vodafone
-looking-for-new-ad-agency-52540.html

Showing us your true colours Mary?

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Tempers flared at a recent launch in West Dublin with Minister Mary Harney being doused in red paint.
Was this angry retaliation against impending health cuts justified or was it a step too far?
Health cuts of up to one billion euro are expected in the next budget only weeks away, is our current government destroying brand Ireland and all that it once was ? Is it time to start to rebuild, starting with these failing droons in Dáil Éireann?

Pat Kinsley talks....