1. Pro Bono PR for 2011

    December 10, 2010 by Christine

    I’m currently in the process of deciding on a worthy charity*  to do some pro bono work  for in 2011. More than ever charities are struggling to have their voices heard amid budget cuts and lack of charitable donations. There are so many deserving organisations it is difficult to pick one over another. I donate to a number of charities close to my heart every year but I want to do a bit more so would like to offer my services to one charity for 2011. If you want to suggest a charitable organisation please e-mail christine@dmpr.ie

    Thank you

    *Charity is a not for profit organisation that either donates funds and support to other organisations, or provides a source of funding for its own charitable purposes.

    UPDATE

    Mark Shortt has also offered his business services http://www.websiterental.eu/ to the chosen charity for a free website  if required. Thank you Mark. :)

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  2. Top PR Trend for 2011

    December 6, 2010 by Christine

    So Random Acts of Kindness (R.A.K) is tipped to be one of the major trends for businesses in 2011. But what exactly is this “trend” about and how can it impact on long standing and prospective customers?

    It seems that now more than ever consumers are craving the human touch to feel a real connectivity with the brands they purchase and R.A.K is the way forward for brands and businesses to communicate their humanity. This trend will see otherwise inflexible businesses take a  more compassionate approach towards their public to give them something  priceless, touching, and fun to ensure that they return, become loyal supporters and spread the good word about their experience with the brand.

    The biggest difficulty for companies in conforming with the R.A.K trend will be keeping abreast of what is happening in the world and with their customers at any one time. More than ever, people are sharing their lives and experiences with the public through social media sites Facebook and Twitter where they openly speak about their crappy or happy days through to difficulties with work and home on an ongoing basis.

    These social media tools will be the key for businesses in implementing their R.A.K strategies and also enable them to build new followers through recipients spreading their experiences with friends and family.

    One example of a brand implementing the R.A.K strategy is Flower delivery service Interflora who recently launched a social media campaign in the UK to brighten up the lives of Twitter users by sending them flowers. As part of the campaign, Interflora monitors Twitter looking for users that it believes might need cheering up. Once found, the users are contacted by tweet, and sent a bouquet of flowers as a surprise.

    There are dozens of ways businesses can implement their R.A.K strategy to make it work for their brand and now is a good time to start thinking about how to do it.

    As I write this, Ryan Tubridy is on 2FM encouraging listeners to wave to other road users in their cars – another step towards  R.A.K – it really is all around us!

    What was your last Random Act of Kindness??

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  3. Annual Campaigns and Boring PR!

    November 11, 2010 by Christine


    It’s that time of year again when businesses and charities vie for public awareness in the papers, on the radio and on TV. It can be a trying time to come up with something new and exciting to grab the attention of the media. With clever use of online social media such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, creative options are never ending. The same can be said for photo opportunities – with a bit of thought, something really exciting and unique can be produced. Now, more than ever you need to be or do something different to stand out from the crowd.

    Therefore, it baffles me that some companies continue to do the same thing year in, year out to promote their product, service or event to the point of leaving me asking myself (I do like to talk to myself sometimes) if they are using the same pictures from the year before!

    It is not enough to do what has worked before, it gets boring and it will not be as effective the second time around. So come on people, get creative – give us something different because I for one am tired of seeing the same old pictures with the same props taken in the same location. And I’m guessing if I am then others must be too!?

    If you’re looking for a company that will help you to “Break from the Pack” give DMpr a call! :)

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  4. DMpr – Small is the New Big!

    October 27, 2010 by Christine

    I am reading Seth Godin’s book “Tribes” at the moment (thank you to Aodan Enright of Smarter Egg http://smarteregg.com/ for the introduction!) It is one of the most thought provoking business books I think I have read so far. Godin announces that any one of us can become a leader. It is an empowering read that has generated a personal self awareness which I know is going to benefit my business in the long term. It has inspired me to take action and believe that the size of a business does not matter, it is the size and scale of the owner’s thoughts, actions and beliefs that will, in time, breed success.

    I have always believed in the notion that a small business structure is the way to go, especially today when people buy from people and like to make a connection rather than paying out for little or no personal connectivity. Small businesses give the customer more personal attention, they take the time to learn about what it is the customer expects and needs and work harder to achieve results, thereby creating better value for the client.

    Below in an excerpt from Godin’s book “Small is the New Big” which I am looking forward to reading and taking action from next. You don’t have to think about what he is getting at too much – it’s obvious – clients can gain more from a small company that thinks big and takes their work personally;

    “Today, little companies often make more money than big companies. Little churches grow faster than worldwide ones. Little jets are way faster (door to door) than big ones.

    Small means the founder makes a far greater percentage of the customer interactions. Small means the founder is close to the decisions that matter and can make them, quickly.

    Small is the new big because small gives you the flexibility to change the business model when your competition changes theirs.

    Small means you can tell the truth on your blog.

    Small means that you can answer email from your customers.

    Small means that you will outsource the boring, low-impact stuff like manufacturing and shipping and billing and packing to others, while you keep the power because you invent the remarkable and tell stories to people who want to hear them.

    A small law firm or accounting firm or ad agency is succeeding because they’re good, not because they’re big. So smart small companies are happy to hire them.

    A small restaurant has an owner who greets you by name.

    A small venture fund doesn’t have to fund big bad ideas in order to get capital doing work. They can make small investments in tiny companies with good (big) ideas.

    A small church has a minister with the time to visit you in the hospital when you’re sick.

    Small is the new big only when the person running the small thinks big.

    Don’t wait. Get small. Think big.

    Final thought – DMpr is small and is proudly so. DMpr also thinks big for clients. DMpr takes your business personally.

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  5. What is PR? Friday Thought!

    October 22, 2010 by Christine

    The link to the video below got me thinking about PR (i think about it every day, it’s my job but this got me thinking about how others perceive PR), it’s interesting. The thought occurred to me that perhaps the PR industry needs to do more PR!? However, I personally agree with the woman that says that “the whole world needs PR”, but then I would, wouldn’t I!? The Jack Nicholson lookalike gets it kind of right, but what do you think PR is? I would love to know! The link below will take you to the video!

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  6. Managing Expectations – PR

    October 20, 2010 by Christine

    We have been lucky to work with some really great clients and having such clients makes the hard work all the more worthwhile and rewarding. On first meeting a prospective client it would be easy to promise the sun, moon and stars – to say that “Of course you’ll get the front page” and “Next stop, Late Late Show”!

    However, to do this in most cases is misleading and will in the long term only serve to disappoint the client.

    Managing expectations is something which DMpr takes very seriously. Working with a broad spectrum of clients over the past number of years has taught me to be realistic with clients from the outset. There is no point in charging for something when you know that both the media and the public will not be interested in the story. So here’s the challenge – do you look for a new angle or do you hold off until the story is stronger – or, (and this is something which DMpr just DOES NOT DO) do you do the work half heartedly, knowing that this will never land!?

    DMpr will never over promise and under deliver. It damages reputation and most of all, disappoints the client. I have turned down work because I knew that the story just was not strong enough to warrant my input and I value people’s time and money. When you deal with DMpr you are guaranteeing that your budget will be maximised, that you will not be led astray to fork out for a service which you may not need at that point and most of all that you are working with someone that is as excited about your business as you are.

    DMpr takes your business personally.

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  7. 8 Days Left to Show You Deserve the Wedding of Your Dreams!

    September 22, 2010 by Christine

    There is just 8 days left to enter the West Cork Hotel’s Wedding competition for the ultimate prize of a dream day to the value of €10,000. There is more than €20,000 worth of prizes up for grabs in the competition which seeks to find a couple funny enough to claim the prize! Entrants must show the West Cork Hotel their fun side in their entry form by submitting pictures/poems/video clips or anything that will make the judges smile and make your entry stand out from the rest – it’s that easy! The winning couple will win a wedding to the value of €10,000 and four runners up will receive prizes worth €2,500 each. Judges are looking for fun entries that show the couples personality so get creative – it’s not everyday you have the opportunity to win such an amazing prize!


    Further information is available on www.westcorkhotel.com and on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WestCorkHotel?ref=ts

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  8. 100 Years of Wedded Bliss at The West Cork Hotel with €20,000 Wedding Giveaway to Brides and Grooms!

    September 15, 2010 by Christine

    It looks like the recession is taking its toll on wedding couples as much as everyone else! DMpr recently carried out a survey for The West Cork Hotel with results showing  that 47% of couples have had to reduce their wedding budget, proving that prospective brides and grooms are feeling the pinch for what will be one of the most memorable days of their lives. To alleviate this pressure, The West Cork Hotel, who, as it happens are this year also celebrating 100 years of weddings in beautiful West Cork are giving away over €20,000 worth of prizes to couples getting married in the next 12 months.

    One lucky couple will win a wedding to the value of €10,000 and four runners-up will also receive prizes worth more than €2,500 each towards their wedding day in the hotel.

    The competition is launching today on the hotel website www.westcorkhotel.com and the West Cork Hotel Facebook page. Couples are being asked to finish the line “Shoulda Booked the West Cork Hotel Because…” tell why you would love to win the prize and attach a pic to your entry form. Five finalists will be chosen where the public will vote for them on Facebook with the winners being announced at a special showcase event in the hotel on Saturday Ocotber 9th. The competition is sure to attract entries from couples all over the country so the more you can make your entry stand out the better!!

    The pictures here were taken by the wonderfully talented Miki Barlok – we had such fun setting up these shots and coming up with the creative and the results speak for themselves. Keep an eye out for more to be used for billboards and advertising in the coming weeks – they are amazing – almost as amazing as the chance to win your wedding for free in the beautiful surroundings of West Cork and its best hotel!

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  9. Single and Ready to Mingle!? Then It’s Just Lunch Guide to Dating is Written for You!

    September 7, 2010 by Christine

    Today marks the launch of a book dedicated to Irish singles. The It’s Just Lunch Guide to Dating is Ireland’s only guide to meeting your match with hundreds of tips for single Irish men and women!

    We worked with actress Leigh Arnold for the photoshoot on Grafton Street with photographer Leon Farrell (Photocall Ireland) who did a great job. Again, DMpr sought to do something different so commissioned Fran from Made in Hollywood to make a large polystyrene book and with the help of Darren Gale from Sweet Dreams Ireland we tracked down an authentic bow and arrow to use in the pictures also. The use of props in photocalls adds a further visual angle to the story which is important in making the story stand out and is also great for future use on promotional material and websites.

    Anne-Marie Cussen of It’s Just Lunch Ireland edited the book and has spent much of the past two years to get this far. Anne-Marie recognises the need to be different to stand out from the rest so is a real pleasure to work with.

    The It’s Just Lunch Guide to Dating is available through Eason and online at amazon.com and retails at just €12. It is a move away from the traditional “how to nab your man” dating books and rather focuses on tips for both sexes to meet their match while demystifying the old ideas of what you “should” be doing when single!

    To get your hands on a copy of the book simply like the new DMpr Facebook page here! http://www.facebook.com/pages/DMpr/145166392185052?ref=mf#!/pages/DMpr/145166392185052?ref=sgm

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  10. 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 22nd – 25th 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!

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