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 Christmas Awards 2009 @ Lillies Bordello

by Conor on December 13th, 2009

Last night Connector presented the Connector of the Year Awards at Lillie’s Bordello at our second annual Christmas Party. We wanted to applaud the great work of Dublin tribes / online communities plus a guy and a girl who have done really well in the last year.

The prizes were presented by TV Presenter Michael Hayes & each winner received a framed certificate and a brand new mobile phone kindly sponsored by Nokia, Sony Ericsson & 3 Mobile.

The winners for ‘Tribe of the Year’ was Culch.ie, a community formed by Darren Byrne (pictured below).  He has rounded up team of talented volunteer bloggers who write about all things pop culture & attend many arts & cultural events around Ireland.

In the Connector Male category David Mooney was the winner for his amazing work with Funky Seomra while the Connector Female award went to Natalia Kostrzewa, who couldn’t attend as she was out of the country.

 Besides that, we have made some predictions for the Top 10 to watch in 2010. Have a look to their names (in slideshare below) and keep an eye on them, they’re doing interesting work and we wish them all the best in 2010!

Approximately 170 people came to the event & we raised approx. €850 TBC for Temple Street Children’s Hospital so thanks for all donations.  The event was kindly sponsored by Peroni & RealexPayments and thanks also to Applied Signs & Display.

We were entertained & enjoyed a fantastic night where we had Apollina tribal belly dancer and also comedy performances from Will Lynch, Ronan Grace, Paudy Byrne & Mark Hanratty.

Last but not least, I would like to thank the Connector team who helped organise this and all the events during 2009.

Job Hunting 2.0

by Rob Cumiskey on November 20th, 2009

The following is a guest post by Sarai Fernandez, and was posted originally on her blog:

It’s almost a month since I gave up sending CV’s out. Before, I used to sit down in front of my computer for an hour each day, log into different websites and apply for all the jobs that I thought would suit me. The only thing I achieved from this was feeling exhausted, and I have not had a single phone call from these applications since September.

So, my new strategy is focused in two main points: learning and networking. Besides my PR studies, I try to spend all the time I can reading articles on the web about new trends, new systems or anything else relating to Public Relations. They can be blogs, e-zines, or discussions in LinkedIn, it doesn’t matter what, because I am learning a lot and also improving my English.

The second point is Networking. I started this with the Connector Lunches, and the Connector Halloween Party, and I hope to continue with these, and also try more networking events in the future. Besides that, I was at the Monster’s Career Fair today and, as was expected, I didn’t get a job, or even an offer. I did get a few business cards that could be very helpful in the future. I also attended some motivating speeches, and I took some very good tips from all of them.

If I have learnt something during this year, it’s the importance of social media and networking for your own professional development. With these tools you will never be ignored, and that is the most important step in order to achieve a successful career.

Diary of a Meteor Apprentice

by Rob Cumiskey on November 18th, 2009

Last week, we were proud to announce that one of our own, Izabela Zelazna, was chosen to compete in the Meteor Apprentice competition. Izabela has written a diary entry about her first task in the competition:

My first task in the Meteor Apprentice competition was all about social media. We were given a week to get as many fans as we could for Facebook fan page.

‘Use all possible social media and scream about your case’, my friend told me. Scream is good, I thought, however I didn’t want to create too much noise. I think that people are usually reluctant and slow to join Facebook Fan Pages these days, not wanting their News feed to be spammed.

First of all, I decided to record nice and friendly videos and post them on my Facebook page and YouTube channel. I wanted to spread the word through the networks and personal contacts that I have made so far. Knowing that Meteor is about entertainment, engagement and humour, I wanted to incorporate it all, and make people interact and smile.

The number of people signing in was not impressive though. Facebook may have had spectacular results in reaching 100mln users in 9 months but it was essential for me to understand that my audience is dispersed and the key is to have an interesting twist and share worthwhile content.

With that in mind, half way through the task, I decided to use another angle –to position myself as a foreigner, who aspires to succeeed and boldly goes for a high profile job. I sent this positive release to the press and it worked perfectly. My press release got coverage in two Polish newspapers in Ireland (Gazeta.ie, Polski Express) as well as Polish newspaper in Poland – Gazeta Krakowska. I also asked my international friends from Amsterdam for support.

So after all the effort and campaigning, I ended up with nearly 780 of the most diverse and multinational fans in the whole competition.

This has great potential. What should the next step be?

Connector Launches Event

by Conor on November 11th, 2009

Connector is looking for 10 new businesses to step forward and tell us their story at a great new Connector Event on the 26th November 2009.  We are also accepting newish businesses who have a new web site, web or mobile app or video to show off.  Maybe you have a new fashion design ?  Maybe a new killer home made chocolate bar ?  You tell us what you been up to and we will help you spread the word !

Does this sound like you or a friend of yours ?  If so please register your interest with Event Elephant – The final list of presenters will be unveiled on the 19th November.  Good luck !

Magners seeking a new TV Presenter

by Conor on November 3rd, 2009

The Search is on!  WANTED: Magners League Professional Fan
Magners League announces search for Ireland’s first ever spokesfan.

Magners League is offering the opportunity of a lifetime to one lucky
job-seeker to become the ‘Magners League Professional Fan’ for this
current season 2009-10.  This unique position is diverse, fast paced and
demanding.  The many benefits include seats at Magners League games,
meeting rugby stars, getting to know team managers and trainers, travel,
(some) fame and the appreciation of  new-found fans.

The ideal candidate will be available to attend Magners League matches on
each match weekend from December through to the ML Grand Final next May.
Developing relationships with key personnel and media from each of the
provinces, the successful candidate will work with the Setanta Sports
production team in interviewing players and fans and providing in-match
summaries, in addition to maintaining their own blog and continuously
looking for opportunities to drive the profile of the League.

The chosen candidate will have strong communication and interpersonal
skills and be able to build relationships with all Magners League
partners.  He/She will have strong presentation skills, will enjoy working
with people and will be innovative and creative with a can do attitude.

Orlaith Fortune, Marketing Manager Bulmers said, “If you think you have
what it takes and you want to be part of the League’s most exciting season
ever, then all you have to do is apply… If you are passionate about sport,
hard-working and not shy in front of a camera, then this is the job for
you!”

The 2009/10 Magners League has all the makings of another all-action
tournament brimming with clashes high in both intensity and quality
between teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  With the introduction of
play-offs for the four leading sides, this season promises to be one of
the most thrilling ever.

For details on how to apply before November 24th 2009, click here >>

Content is King

by Conor on November 2nd, 2009

This is a conference for anybody who wants to learn exciting new things about how to create winning websites, viral movies, compelling blogs, and outstanding podcasts.  Conor Lynch from Connector will be going along to learn from the panel of experts and this does look like a great collection of speakers lined up !  More Info >>

It is sponsored by the Guinness Storehouse, where the conference will be held, and chaired by leading Irish journalist John Murray, presenter of ‘The Business’ show on RTE Radio One.  There is an inspiring mix of international and domestic speakers who will be giving excellent presentations and engaging in lively panel discussions.

Attendees will see several successful viral videos, and exploring what it is that gives them that viral ‘je ne sais quoi’. They will be getting an insight into the story of the T-Mobile Liverpool Street Dance, from Ben Robinson of Freud Communications, who led the creative team which made it.

Panelists will be attempting to answer the million dollar question ‘What makes a video go viral?’ and attendees will hear from Irish Youtube phenomenon Sophie Merry talk about how a dance in her friend’s back garden made her famous.

Date: 17th November 2009 Time: 8.30am – 3.20pm Venue: Guinness Storehouse, Dublin 8

If you quote Connector when booking a ticket you will get a €50 discount, bringing the price down to €245

* Go to www.mediacontact.ie
* Click on Buy Now
* Public relations and media training
* Select Content is King from the drop down menu
* Use the discount code ‘connector’
* Click redeem in order to avail of the special rate

Connector Event Managers

by Conor on November 2nd, 2009

If you were down at the Connector Halloween Party on Thursday night, you will no doubt have been very impressed with the event presentation.  Hats off to these 3 girls who planned, promoted & managed this event with some guidance from myself.

Pictured are Mallory McSweeney, Sarah Bell & Emma Greene, the latter two being Event Management students from DBS. They were also responsible for liaising with the venue, party entertainment and our sponsors Bulmers Light and Marks & Spencer.  A BIG thanks to the girls !

The Clinic connections

by Conor on November 1st, 2009

I was delighted to see my friend Natalia Kostrzewa make her accomplished debut on The Clinic on RTE this evening.  Natalia has been a great help with Connector and I am delighted my prediction for her is coming to pass !  Wishing her all the best with The Clinic and all her great work !  The photo is of Natalia & myself having a wee chat at the Connector  Halloween bash.

Connecting with students at gradireland

by Greg Fry on October 22nd, 2009

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Connector visited gradireland in the RDS yesterday. Despite the rain the turnout was fantastic and unlike many events I have attended this year there was a buzz around the place. It was wonderful to talk to so many upbeat and positive people. Many of the companies exhibiting were keen to connect with students and anticipated increasing their headcount over the next 12 months.

Companies exhibiting included:

Irish Distillers, Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Microsoft.

Busy Busy at the RDS

A large number of the students I talked to were actively looking for internships and work experience. I was also told about a new scheme called Gradlink led by companies aimed at providing students internships in leading companies. Check out – www.ibec.ie/gradlink for more info.

There was also great advice to be had from many of leading Colleges and Universities offering a range of post Grad courses.

Well done to all involved organising gradreland, it was a super event. Visit – www.gradireland.com for more information.

If you are a Marketing or Event Management student looking for “real life” experience, contact greg@connector.ie for details of our internship programme and find out how you can get a connected in the industry before you graduate.