Connector Online PR
by Sarai Fernandez on March 12th, 2010
Connector and Booze `n´Schmooze are partnering to organise Connector Nº20, an event themed around Online PR, with guest speakers who will talk briefly about how social media and new technologies are impacting in business today.
Booze `n´ Schmooze is a new free monthly networking event for journalists, PRs and other media workers, which takes place every month at d|two Bar. As usual, Connector is a monthly event for connecting people in Dublin and all are welcome to this event.
So join us to have fun, learn a little bit about Online PR and make connections next March 25th @ 6.30 pm.
Connect with NAMA
by Diarmuid O'Riordan on March 11th, 2010
So social media is playing an increasingly large role in shaping politics in the world. That’s the line people are using, that’s the way it is.
It’s true that in Iran, where Government censorship and clamping down of information during the 2009 elections led to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social media sites playing a key role in the sharing of information between opposition supporters as well as the outside world. In the end, despite social media, they were unsuccessful.
There are further examples including Barack Obama raising almost $60m in the 2008 US presidential campaign through social media channels.
Seth Godin would say that these groups were “Tribes”, they had a leader, they had a cause, and social media was there method of communication.
Some might say (Noel Gallagher, 1996) that the election of the first African-American-Irish President, or the ousting of a suspected tyrant are weightier causes that the arguments against buying up a few billion worth of dodgy real estate in Ireland. However, people are not aware of the consequences of NAMA. In my Ireland-centric mind, we have greater cause than either of the two tribes mentioned above. Let’s look at the potential consequences of our three tribes not achieving their goal:
Obama
- America gets first female president
- America must wait 4-8 years for first African-American-Irish president
- Change and hope delayed for a few years
Iran
- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remains in power
- Ali Khamenei remains in absolute power either way: Iran still a fervent Islamic state, with little rights for minorities
Ireland
- Ireland loses 40 billion euro
- The EU and the IMF take over
- F.D.I & exports decline swiftly as taxes go through the roof
- Tens of thousands face unemployment and emigration
NAMA is purchasing loans at a 30% discount from the banks. The lands these loans are based on are now priced back at agricultural value. Unless the price of milk goes up to 100 euros a gallon, we aint gonna see that money again.
David McWilliams sums up the figures as “we see that there will be €51.5bn of land and development assets and associated loans transferred, based on what he has seen so far, we are looking at a hole of possibly €40bn, where we will borrow €51.5bn from the ECB, for assets worth a little over €10bn.
40 billion ladies and gentleman, puts Ireland in the red for generations to come.
Ireland needs to connect online to have a discussion about the most important piece of legislation in the history of the state.
The Facebook group “No to NAMA” has 11,369 members. I want John Joe from the late late toy show to fix my clock group has 47,415!
Lets use social media to voice our opinions and lets get interested in what could potentially make or break our state.
Connecting 7up, Ash & The Republic of Loose for St. Patrick’s Day
by Sarai Fernandez on March 3rd, 2010
We’re pretty sure you all have heard about 7Up Free ”Bring them back for the Craic” competition, which will gather back in Dublin a group of 7 irish friends for St.Patrick’s day. 7 groups of friends have been pre-selected and they’re now facing a weekly challenge to gain points. You can vote for one of them and that way y0u’ll have the chance to win tickets to the exclusive party that 7Up Free is hosting on March 20th to celebrate the winners. 
Check out the last news about the contest in the 7Up Bring Them Back For The Craic Facebook Page.
At Connector we have 3 pairs of tickets to give away for this invitation only gig, which will be headlined by Ash and the excellent Republic of Loose playing support.
If you want to be one of the lucky winners just leave us a comment below or in our Facebook Group tell us: how would you like to drink your 7Up? The deadline for participating is March 15th, so hurry up!
Connector tries to be funny haha!
by connector on March 2nd, 2010
As you may know, Conor is about to start running Connector Training and is really looking forward to it. Our friend Aidan Killian, who participated in last Connector Tribes is organising a Comedy course for next March 5th, 6th and 7th, including a graduation gig on the 8th … he has invited Conor to take part to improve his presentation skills & audience rapport etc.
More about the course for those interested in being funny haha ! You will learn everything it takes to get on stage and make people laugh. You will work with professional comedians and comedy coaches, you will have access to the stage and you will have lots of fun. The price is €300, and you can get more info on his website.
If you are interested, Aidan Killian will be offering a free comedy workshop at Anseo from 6- 8pm 3rd March, a little taster before the full course.
Gain social media work experience with Connector
by connector on March 2nd, 2010
Are you interested in Digital Media, Social Media, PR, Marketing, or Event Management? Would you like to gain work experience?
Connector is looking for volunteers willing to gain work experience contributing to Connector.ie content and assist in our offline events.
The areas of activity would be digital and social media marketing, blogging, digital video/ web TV production, contact database and eCRM management, PR and advertising, mobile marketing, sponsorships, attending events, networking & administration.
So if you have excellent communication skills, have IT skills & experience using the Microsoft Office suite, the ability to work in a team environment, good attention to detail & accuracy and enthusiasm in emerging technologies, send a cover letter and CV to conor@connector.ie.
You can get more info about Connector Campus, which shows the work we have done up to now within the colleges.
Connector Tribal Love Invite
by Sarai Fernandez on February 25th, 2010
Connector Tribes Final Lineup
by Sarai Fernandez on February 23rd, 2010
South African Connections
by connector on February 22nd, 2010
On Friday night I found myself at a South African business networking event in the Green Isle Hotel outside Dublin asa guest of Patrick Dunne from Brand Experience.
The highlight was meeting some amazing kids who have some serious get up and go attitude ! I met Brittany & Robin Windvogel & their parents – Brittany (12) is a published business author alreadywith her own web site. Her brother Robin (8) has been on trial at Manchester United so muct be one hell of a hot shot! Well done to the parents for raising such talented & ambitious kids & please see below the Soccathon organised by their dad Rowan.
South African Networking
by connector on February 19th, 2010
Good luck to our friend Patrick Dunne at the South African networking event tonight. I might even see you there!
Connector at launch of ‘Your Country, Your Call’
by Sarai Fernandez on February 17th, 2010
Conor met the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese & her husband Martin, at the presentation of “Your Country, Your Call’. This is Martin’s initiative to help Ireland come out of a period of economic depression in 2009. The event was help in the National Library & was hosted by MC Mark Little who made the big announcement.
‘Your Country, Your Call’ is a national competition which aims to find two transformational proposals that will enable the Irish economy to grow. There is a broad range of categories from sports and arts to communications and technology, and the best part: a prize fund of €200,000.
I was invited to the blogger review event on Monday evening in the Guinness Storehouse & hear about the exciting plans for YCYC. Some of the team are also coming to the Connector Tribes event next week to tell us more about this great contest. Please check it out at www.yourcountryyourcall.com