Newsflash! Yo-Yo Tesco pricing stirs up suspicion

Tesco seem to be up to their old tricks again, hiking up prices and lowering them in time just for 'Sales'.
This is odd, or is it?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011
/0329/1224293299271.html?via=mr

Obama and Queen Elizabeth set sail Ireland in 2011

Hands up who thinks the upcoming presidential and monarchical visits will be hugely beneficial to Brand Ireland?
I DO!

Some may say the Queen's visit will cause uproar, some may have doubts about President Obama's trip to his ancestral homeland but I say boo urns to their negative thinking, boo urns!
Brand Ireland could grow even stronger with high profile visits such as these, building bonds between countries along the way.
Also, how can we dismiss the fact that Ireland will once again be on the world stage and expose us to a slew of new tourists.

What do you think, are you for or against?

How can we brand Ireland differently?

Irish brands are continuing to ensure their survival, especially within the food and drink market.
With Ireland exporting more and more home-grown brands all across the globe even with a worldwide recession still rampant, we had to wonder, who is excelling more than most?
In light of it being St Patrick's Eve, here are OUR top 5 Irish brands which one might fancy -

1 - Barry's Tea
Barry's Tea was founded in 1901 in Cork City. Until the 1960s, tea was sold from a shop in Prince's Street, but thereafter as a result of its increasing popularity, the company expanded its wholesaling and distribution operations. By the 1990s, the company had become one of the largest tea suppliers in Ireland. It is also found in the UK, Spain, and in some areas of Canada and the US.

2 - Tayto Crisps
Tayto is a major Irish crisps and popcorn manufacturer, founded by Joe Murphy in 1954.[1] Tayto invented the first Cheese & Onion crisps as well as the process of the seasoned potato chip/crisps.[2] Tayto crisps are a cultural phenomenon in Ireland,[3] and "Tayto" is sometimes used in Ireland as a synonym for crisps.


3 - Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide.


4 - Kerrygold
The name Kerrygold was selected to evoke "farming, naturalness, goodness and above all quality milk" as well as a sense of Irishness. The brand has been a major player in the British market and also worldwide, developing a reputation as a premium quality brand.

5 - The Jelly Bean Factory
Europe's number one manufacturer of Gourmet Jelly Beans.
Its brands "The Jelly Bean Factory" and "The Jelly Bean Planet" are sold in over 50 countries worldwide.
The brands are known for their high quality, natural ingredients and innovative packaging.

Re-building brand Ireland - Newly elected Irish government jet off on St Patrick's day mission

Image by antiogar


New investment and mending a faltering global reputation is what is on the agenda this week for Ireland's newly elected government.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny,has said he would meet with U.S. President Barack Obama in the White House on March 17 for a now-annual ceremony of Irish-American solidarity.
He also plans to meet Capitol Hill leaders and potential business investors during his two-day Washington trip.
In a positive step taken by our new Taoiseach, only nine of Ireland's 15 Cabinet ministers would travel overseas, and to fewer places he identified as "top priorities for Irish trade, business and jobs." Unlike previous years where upwards of 24 ministers travelled aboard - expensively!
Could this be the turn around that Ireland so badly needs? Could St Patrick's week 2011 be the beginning of a new brand Ireland?

Are you bothered with Paddy's day this year?

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!

Image by DinahSaysNothing



St Patrick's day is seen as one of many things, a day of all-day drinking, a day off of work.
Irish brands work hard at maintaining their stellar image and mass appeal and it seems other 'outsider' brands want to cash in.

Ireland is one of the only countries in the world who's national holiday is celebrated the world over and just like every other commercially profitable holiday (Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc)Paddy's day is no different!
Big brands have taken notice with more 'going green'or adding an Irish twist to their product in the run up to the big day every year.
McDonald's, Marmite . . . .

Thoughts??!

Londis to sponsor Come Dine with Me

Londis has been sponsoring of the hit UK TV series “Come Dine With Me” which made its debut on TV3 this January - love the voice over guy!!

The sponsorship began in January with TV3 airing the UK series. The sponsorship also includes the UK Celebrity version of “Come Dine With Me”. Meanwhile the first ever Irish version of “Come Dine With Me” which will launch later in 2011, can't wait for that!

The total Londis investment in the sponsorship and supporting campaign will be over €300K. We have seen this trend in sponsorship occur over a vast array of popular shows such as Domino's Pizza / The X factor, and the likes of soaps (Fair City, Corrie) also being sponsored.