Christine Duggan

Swing By The Clarion Hotel for this year’s Cork International Jazz Festival!
August 31, 2010 by Christine
The Clarion Hotel Cork are in early preparations for this year’s Cork International Jazz Festival with an amazing line up for the ever popular weekend 22^nd – 25^th October. The main acts this year are The Jive Aces and The Slammers Maximum Jive Band on the Saturday night in the hotel’s Pegasus Suite. The Jive Aces are described as the UK’s Number 1 Jive Band and have performed on numerous occasions on TV in the UK and across Europe. They also performed in the world renowned Royal Albert Hall earlier this year. The Slammers Maximum Jive Band are a high energy group that will keep revelers rocking until the small hours of the morning. So get your dancing shoes on and grab your ticket from the Clarion for just €20. A night not to be missed!
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Clarion Hotel Cork, Cork Jazz Festival, Cork PR, DM, DMdesign, DMpr, PR Cork | Comments (0)
Creative Ideas Brought to Life
April 12, 2010 by Christine
Friends of the RTÉ (Vanbrugh) String Quartet Highlight their campaign to save the Cork performing Group Pic: Daragh McSweeney Provision

When The Friends of Vanbrugh got in contact to help them with their campaign to save the RTÉ (Vanbrugh) String Quartet DMpr immediately got behind the cause. The RTÉ String Quartet are hugely talented musicians and we are extremely lucky to have them in Cork. They travel extensively throughout the country, bringing their amazing talents to places that would otherwise be forgotten by the other RTÉ groups. The disappointing part is that their budget has been cruelly slashed by over 40% by RTÉ in the past while approximately 300 Dublin-based RTE musicians have had just a 5 per cent pay cut.

The Friends of Vanbrugh wanted to step up their campaign and highlight the problem so DMpr came up with the idea for the shots posted here. Daragh McSweeney from Provision was the photographer and did an amazing job. It goes to show what a creative idea and a great photographer can do. The top picture featured on page 2 of The Irish Times on Saturday 27^th March with other pictures used in other local publications including The Cork Independent bringing further support to the people behind the campaign.

You can lend your support to the campaign by becoming a fan of the “Save the Cork RTÉ String Quartet from the Dublin 4 Hatchet” page on Facebook.
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Cork Photographer, Cork PR, DM, Gerard McCarthy Photography, PR Cork, RTÉ String Quartet, Vanbrugh Quartet | Comments (1)
Intellectual Property and Proposals
March 30, 2010 by Christine
It is part of my job to meet with prospective clients to find out about their business and come up with new ways for them to grow through the use of creative PR. Creativity is the key to a successful PR campaign and is something which I feel very strongly about. If there doesn’t seem to be an interesting angle I work hard to come up with something to excite and capture the attention of the public.

In the current climate, it is unfortunately all too easy for companies to believe that there is no budget – everybody can feel the pinch of the economic environment. There is only one way to release that pressure and that is to step up, do something different and make a positive change in your mindset for the good of your business.

It seems to be an age old problem in the PR world that time and effort can be wasted on proposals as you are freely giving ideas with little comeback on the ownership of same. In an unfair world, there is little to stop someone from saying that your ideas are in fact theirs – that is unless you copyright your work…

When this is the case, PR proposals and ideas legally become the intellectual property of the creator;

“The colloquial description of intellectual property is that it comprises all those things that emanate from the exercise of the human mind, such as ideas, inventions, poems, designs, music, etc. Intellectual property is therefore about creative ideas. Dissemination of these ideas benefits society and stimulates further creative activity.” (Irish Patents Office)

The moral of the story is to copyright your work and hope that you are dealing with honest people to respect your intellectual property.
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Cork PR, DMpr, PR Cork, PR Proposal | Comments (2)
PRO·CRAS·TI·NA·TION
March 10, 2010 by Christine
Procrastination – we’re all guilty of it, in particular when it comes to business. The thought of doing something new or different to what’s been done in the past can be an unnerving experience. What if it won’t work out? Will people see us differently? Will we get a return on investment? The list of questions can be never ending – and so procrastination sets in. “Next week” becomes the word of the day and tomorrow is always too close! True, times are tough and it can be difficult to take the plunge and try something different. But isn’t that just the point? If a business doesn’t do something different then you can be sure that your competition will, leaving you even further behind. It’s a never ending spiral of time and opportunities just flying by while you are scratching your head and your business is laying dormant. Now is the time to do something different to stand out from the crowd. As the saying goes – If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten – and it’s definitely fair to say that everybody wants their business to be the best that it can be.

Today, do something different. Run a promotion, set up a twitter account, update your website, hold an event…or hire creative and unique PR and design consultants (ahem!) Whatever it is, do something today that can make a change to your bottom line – it will make you feel good and your business will thank you for it!
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, DMdesign, DMpr, PR Cork | Comments (0)
The Power of Enthusiasm
March 3, 2010 by Christine
I believe one of the main factors to success is enthusiasm. I love leaving a meeting filled with positivity and drive and this really only happens when you meet people who are passionate about what they do. People who seem unafraid to do something different are usually the ones who succeed in the long term. I love my job when I meet prospective clients (as I did today) who trust that creativity can be the key to great things and I look forward to hopefully working with them in the coming weeks and months. It all involves cupcakes and gorgeous food – need I say any more?…YUM!
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Cupcakes Cork, DMpr, PR Cork | Comments (0)
The importance of open and honest communication
March 2, 2010 by Christine
As learning to communicate is one of the first skills we learn when we enter the world, one may be easily fooled in to thinking that we are all masters of it. I could speak for hours about the importance of open communication in both working life and personal life. Working with a range of clients over the past number of years, the most important thing that I have learned is to keep the lines of communication as open as possible – even when things go wrong!

It is all lovely to run to media contacts with good news and although it is of course more difficult to report bad news it is often still as important as the positive stuff. In the past number of weeks I have seen and heard of the annoyance of people who are kept outside the loop when things go awry. All of a sudden they are met with silence – nothing. How does this reflect on the company or organisation then? The fact of the matter is, the next time you have a story to tell, chances are it will be ignored because the very people you rely on will be too peeved to bother with you anymore.

Moral of the story? Keep interested parties in the loop when times are bad and good….Brian Cowen for one can take note!!
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, DMpr, PR Cork | Comments (0)
QUISH’S SUPERVALU BALLINCOLLIG CELEBRATE NEW FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PARTNERSHIP
February 17, 2010 by Christine
Seán Quish Pictured at the Announcement of the Partnership Deal

Ballincollig Supermarket to will Sam Back to Cork!

Quish’s Supervalu, Ballincollig’s leading fresh food retailer and one of the country’s most awarded supermarkets are celebrating the announcement of the new sponsorship deal of the GAA’s Football Championship. The deal is being backed by over 230 retail partners around the country.

The deal will see SuperValu take up the sponsorship of the football championship for three years and is testament to SuperValu’s long standing commitment to local pride in community and sports.

Speaking of the sponsorship deal, Seán Quish of Quish’s SuperValu Ballincollig said “This is a huge coup for SuperValu and we are delighted to be a part of it at Quish’s. This sponsorship is a great fit for the GAA and for the SuperValu brand – we are both integral to the value system of the Irish people and are at the pulse of local communities all over the country. At Quish’s we are passionate about Gaelic Games and already support Dripsey GAA club so hopefully we can have double the celebrations this year when Sam Maguire returns to Cork and Dripsey achieve another title! We will also be running special promotions in-store to compliment the partnership.”

GAA President Christy Cooney welcomed SuperValu’s support of the organisation saying “”This is a major boost to the Association and we are delighted to officially welcome SuperValu on board as official sponsors of the GAA. The arrangement is an excellent fit in so many ways. Just as we are proud of our own GAA network, SuperValu and its retail partners are justifiably proud of their presence across Ireland.”

Also speaking of the partnership, Donal Horgan, Managing Director, SuperValu said “The GAA is a natural fit with our brand. Our organizations share common values through focusing our approach on relationships, honesty, hard work, achievement and of course community identity. The GAA Football Championship is not just about winning games; it is about our heritage, it is what makes us uniquely Irish; gives us our sense of ‘pride in place’ and pride in our county colours. In the years ahead, SuperValu and its retail partners look forward to building our partnership and bringing it to life locally in our stores across all 32 counties.”

The deal is expected to raise the profile of the SuperValu brand and also invigorate local support for County teams.
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, DMpr, GAA Sponsorship, PR Cork, Quish's, Quish's SuperValu Ballincollig | Comments (0)
KINSALE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY ANNOUNCE €500,000 DEAL WITH TRAIDCRAFT
February 16, 2010 by Christine
KDC, which was founded in 2004 is noted as one of the country’s most progressive food and beverage companies, supplying over 400 product lines to retailers all over the country. Last year, the company had a turnover of €2.2million. The signing of this deal to secure the franchise for the Traidcraft product range for the Irish market copper fastens this already strong reputation.

Traidcraft was established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty and today is the UK’s leading fair trade organisation. Traidcraft work with more than 100 producer groups to provide 250 fair trade food, craft and textile products.

Speaking of the deal, Gerard Barry, Managing Director of KDC said “This is a very significant deal for the company and one which will no doubt increase business and employment levels in the coming twelve months. Retail sales of Fairtrade mark products have increased steadily since we began in 2004 and the core business remains buoyant in spite of the recessionary environment.

There are thirty eight towns and cities in Ireland which are certified as “Fairtrade” towns. Although the Irish population are awakening to the importance of fair trade, there is yet some education to be done on what fair trade actually means and the benefits of buying fair-trade products. I believe that this deal with Traidcraft will strengthen the Fairtrade sector in Ireland and will give retailers and consumers alike a greater selection of products to choose from.”

Also speaking of the deal, Andrew Sturgess, Food Wholesale National Account Manager with Traidcraft said “We are pleased to be associated and partnering with KDC to develop the Irish Fairtrade market. Traidcraft are Fairtrade pioneers since the late 70s and we are very excited at the opportunity to work with KDC and see Irish sales grow this year, ultimately to help and provide assistance to our producer partners in developing countries.

Products which are now available exclusively through KDC are Clipper beverages, Divine Chocolate, Dove Farm Foods, Buchanan Sweets, Percol Coffee, Natural Beverage Co, Zaytoun, and One Water.
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Divine Chocolate, DMpr, Fairtrade, KDC, KDC deal, Kinsale Distribution Company, PR Cork, Traidcraft | Comments (0)
Hi–5 for Clarion Celebrations!
February 9, 2010 by Christine
CORK BUSINESS OF THE YEAR CELEBRATES 5^TH BIRTHDAY

General Manager Charlie Sheil celebrating the hotel's 5th Birthday with staff Pic: Miki Barlok

The Clarion Hotel Cork is this week celebrating it’s 5^th Birthday as the main tenant in Cork’s City Quarter with special offers in time for Valentine’s Day.

The Clarion’s 5^th birthday celebrations will top off what has been a fantastic twelve months for the hotel. In 2009 the Clarion received no less than seven awards including the accolade of Cork Business of the Year.

Kudos Bar has also launched it’s brand new Birthday Cocktail: “Hi-5” which is available for just €5 this Valentine’s weekend making it the perfect solution to spoiling a loved one and remaining on budget!

All departures and arrivals to the hotel on Thursday 11^th February will also receive a return stay voucher for a leisure break in the future.

Speaking of the celebrations, General Manager, Charlie Sheil said “It is difficult to believe that the hotel is five years old this week. Each year we like to mark the occasion in some way and this year we are offering customers a special Valentine’s special with our €5 celebratory cocktail. We also look forward to another great year in the hotel.”
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Clarion 5th Birthday, Clarion Hotel Cork, DMpr, PR Cork, Valentine's Weekend Cork | Comments (0)
CELEBRITY SOPRANO LESLEY GARRETT TO PERFORM IN CORK CITY HALL
February 4, 2010 by Christine
First Visit to Cork for Glamour Girl of Opera

International Soprano and celebrity, Lesley Garrett CBE, is to perform at Cork’s City Hall on Thursday, 18^th March. This will be Garrett’s first performance in Cork and tickets range from €30 to €70.

Garrett, one of the world’s most popular sopranos, regularly appears in both opera and in concert, on television and CD. She has won critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers worldwide. Her unmistakable blend of outstanding talent and sheer charisma is guaranteed to charm her Irish audience on what is her first visit to Cork.

Lesley Garrett to perform in Cork on Thursday 18th March

Hundreds of fans are expected to travel from all over the country to witness her down-to-earth warmth and exuberance in the beautiful acoustic surrounds of City Hall.

As a recording artist, she has thirteen solo CDs to her credit. Lesley is also a much loved favourite on television programmes in the UK with appearances including her own show ‘Lesley Garrett Tonight’ for the BBC featuring Lesley and guest artists as diverse as Renee Fleming and Ladysmith, Black Mambazo, Marti Pellow, and Elaine Paige. She also competed in the first series of Strictly Come Dancing and is a regular panellist on UTV’s Loose Women while also taking to the stage as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music and as Nettie in Carousel in the West End.

Commenting on her forthcoming appearance, spokesperson for concert promoters Lyric Promotions, Lucette Murray said “this represents a very significant coup for Cork, 5 years on from Andrea Bocelli, we have waited too long for another superstar of this calibre. The tickets will be exceptionally popular.”

Tickets available from Monday 1^st February from Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, Tel. 021 4271659.
Category: DMprTags: Christine Duggan, Cork City Hall, Cork concerts, Cork Gigs, Cork Live Music, Cork Opera, DMpr, Lelsey Garrett, Lesley Garrett Cork, Lyric Promotions, PR Cork | Comments (0)

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