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.

Who will it be...

In recent weeks, the focus for Ireland has been on tomorrow's political election. This election will determine the nation's new government. This government will hopefully steer us onwards and upwards out of the fiscal hole that we are drowning in.

Could it be the coalition of Fine Gael and Labour? Could these parties unite to save Brand Ireland?
In this ‘overcrowded’ global marketplace, countries are competing not just for the favour of investors but also for tourists, media and skilled employees.
A fresh start is what is needed, can our new government facilitate this? Can we re-build and re-brand Ireland from the wreckage left from the recession?



Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you.


Jeffrey Gitomer

Iconic landmarks to 'go green' for St Patrick's day 2011

Image by Flickr






Iconic buildings and attractions across the globe will ‘go green’ this St Patrick’s Day hoping to spur on growth in Ireland’s tourism industry.
The London Eye, New York’s Empire State Building, the Sky Tower in Auckland and Table Mountain in South Africa are some that will have their green light on March 17.
Explaining their green initiative, Tourism Ireland Chief Executive Niall Gibbons states "Our aim is to bring a smile to the world and to convey the message that Ireland continues to offer a warm welcome, fun and spontaneity, alongside fantastic scenery and cultural activities."
What do you think, will this work?
Brand Ireland unites with the world.



http://www.tourismireland.com/Home!/About-Us/
Press-Releases/St-Patrick%E2%80%99s-Global-
Celebrations-are-Launch-Pad-fo.aspx

Guinness collaborates in time for Paddy's day once again

Image by alistair woolrige





Last year it was the return of Guinness Marmite and this year, HP Sauce have joined forces with drinks company Diageo to formulate - HP Guinness Sauce.
Just in time for St Patrick's day, both brands are clearly trying to raise awareness amongst target male consumers in their 20s and 30s.
Bringing a big Irish brand (Yes Irish,even if some disagree) such as Guinness to the breakfast table (and the Irish institutional fry-up) is simply genius.

Election Nation

Image by Shiny things





Last night's election debate on TV3 made for some very confusing viewing. Still on the fence on were my vote lies, I took to my sofa to see if my vote could be swung.However, Enda Kenny decided to decline the task (how on earth can he lead us on a world stage if he can't bare a seat with Vincent Browne?) and Eamon Gilmore and Minister Martin just didn't cut the mustard in my humble opinion!
My worry is, how will the outcome of election 2011 have on brand Ireland?
Does brand Ireland have a future?
Export, tourism, technology all the thriving industries that have saved brand Ireland from recessionary dissolution - can they continue to grow and pave a future that so many of us think is redundant?
Who are you voting for on February 25th 2011?

Ps - Did anyone notice the volume of Irish brands during the commercial break? I swear, at least 90% of them were Irish. Is this a similar ploy that big brands undertake during the American Super Bowl? (Brands paying big bucks to be shown during breaks)