Connector on Mediascope with Ellen Gunning

by Sarai Fernandez on January 12th, 2010

Yesterday we have had the pleasure to be interviewed by Ellen Gunning for her programme Mediascope, a radio show which deals with issues of interest to public relations, event management and journalism professionals. The interview will be broadcast in today’s programme on Dublin City FM (103.2) at 13.30 hours.

Conor chated with Ellen for 20 minutes about Connector. If you want to discover how Connector started, our new plans for 2010 and much more, listen to the podcast!

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.

#Media140 Connections

by Conor on October 24th, 2009

I did not realise that Monday the 26th is a bank holiday in Ireland and I booked into a Twitter type ‘real time media conference in London, called Media 140 (with reference to Twitter’s 140 character limit). It aims to cover everything a brand needs to know about twitter & ‘real-time social media’.

I will use the time to catch up with some old friends and colleagues and report back some learnings from the conference.  The one day conference will explore the impacts of real-time social media on agencies, marketers and brands.  The hashtag for the conference is #Media140 & I hope some of Ireland’s social media heads follow the day online.

As they say – “If brands are your business, Media140 is a conference you can’t afford to miss.  Are your brands social? Are they staying ahead of competitors in the social media space? If you answered ‘no’ or ‘um, not sure…’ to either of those questions, you need to come to Media140 in London, on the 26th October 2009.”

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.

Connect @ McDonnell Connor's launch party

by Conor on October 6th, 2009

Michelle Connor is the lovely wife of EightyTwenty’s David Connor and is making a big name for herself as a professional photographer.  Michelle is very well suited to being the other side of the lense as you can see and as it happens her sister Suzanne McCabe is a well known Irish model.

Michelle is busy organising a night out in Krystle for a small launch party to kick off McDonnell Connor photography next week with her new business partner, the highly accomplished photographer, Tim McDonnell.  The event is on the 15th October in Krystle Night Club and starts at 8pm.

Guests on the night can enjoy having their portrait taken in our portable studio – all images will be professionally edited and available for our guest to see the next day on our fanpage.  We have a top makeup artist there on the night to provide the ladies with last minute touch ups before they hit their shoot!!

Friends of Connector are all invited, especially those with an interest in digital photography & I look forward to checking it out.  If you want to come along, pls RSVP to michelle [@] mcdonnellconnor.com

Their fields of expertise range from Corporate Assignments to family portraits and fashion photography. Special studio opening offer is a full photo session, all images professionally edited and your favorite image supplied in contemporary 12×18 inch bloc – all this for only E100.00 for a limited time only.

With hi-spec studios in Howth and Ranelagh, they cater for all photography requirements.  Check out their large work showcase at www.mcdonnellconnor.com or become a fan of their Facebook Fanpage.

"What's In Your Handbag?" Connections

by Jamie Richardson on August 13th, 2009

Last night we had a wonderful opportunity to see some “handbag (or manbag) therapy” in action!

Kildare Village has launched a fun new digital campaign that allows people to upload pictures of the contents of their bags for a chance to win a €1,000 shopping spree. That’s a pretty great prize for revealing the insides of your handbag!

The “What’s in Your Handbag or Manbag”campaign looks like it will be an enjoyable way to interact with others and reveal what the contents of your bag says about you! When you upload your picture others can comment and vote on the contents. The bag with the most votes wins the prize!

Check out this new site >here>>

Debbie Percy is the Handbag Therapy specialist, at the Kildare Village stand, at the forthcoming Ultimate Girl’s Day Out in the RDS on 28-30 August 2009. We got a chance to hear all about this campaign from her via a Skype conference call at the WHPR offices at Ely Place.

A great night of connections and some revealing discoveries about the contents of some very interesting bags! I recommend that you check out this campaign and reveal the contents of your own bag!

A special thanks to the lovely Heidi O’Sullivan and the people at WHPR and Kildare Village!

Connections on Dublin City FM's The Persuaders

by Jamie Richardson on July 31st, 2009

Our very own Conor was on the radio this afternoon! 103.2 Dublin City FM’s The Persuaders with Alex Gibson to be exact.

Along with Robert from Bloom advertising, Fred from DoneDeal.ie, and Piaras Kelly from Edelman PR, Conor held a discussion on the importance of social media in the marketplace. Facebook and Twitter were obviously hot topics of discussion here!

The guys spoke for a while on live broadcast, and the rest of their conversation will be available for listening on The Persuaders’ podcast. The Persuaders is a podcast is a weekly program devoted to marketing and media interests. 

Conor and Piaras had a chance to talk about the success of the Connector Canon Digital Video Awards as well as other past and future endeavors. So have a listen! You can also check out Piaras’ blog >here>>

I also got a chance to connect with these guys, especially Alex Gibson! Thanks again. 

Connect with sunglasses.ie

by Andrew Sigle on July 22nd, 2009

I met sunglasses.ie recently and they were generous enough to let Connector borrow novelty sunglasses for photos at a Connector events.   Watch out next week for the photos from Connector BBQ (No.12.)

The owner of the company, Niall McCrudden, along with Jon Hanlon are pictured above with a company t-shirt.  This company sells all different types of sunglasses over the Internet.  Sunglasses.ie is  known for great deals as well as reasonable prices.

Coincidently enough, Niall is really involved in social media and connecting with other bloggers as well.  He played a part in connecting Jonathan from Canon with actor Liam Cunningham for the Digital Film Awards.  It’s all about the connections !!!

Check them out @ Sunglasses.ie

Connect with the new Smirnoff Mule

by Jamie Richardson on July 17th, 2009

A night of circus-inspired revelry commenced with the new Smirnoff Mule in the center ring. Located in the WHPR offices and the courtyard in Ely Place, a host of colorful circus performers beckoned guests to join in the festivities with their extravagant costumes and behavior. The night was all set to “experience the extraordinary” with the Smirnoff Mule.

Thursday’s Launch Party was well equipped with a circus tent, top hats, a Ring Master, flame-thrower, stilt-walkers, and of course the Smirnoff Mule. An exceptional treat of the evening was guest appearance from international d.j. and style icon, Jade Jagger.

The mystique and allure of the circus provided guests with a night of great entertainment, delightful appetizers, and an exceptional drink, the Smirnoff Mule. The music throughout the night was an uplifting mix up of classic and contemporary tunes.

Whether hoola-hooping was your thing or chatting with guests was more your style, the night was a grand party. Come one! Come all! Thursday night was quite the celebration, and the Smirnoff Mule provided an exceptional twist to the fun. The Connector team enjoyed themselves at this event and would like to thank the wonderful people at WHPR for putting on a great show!

To find out more about the Smirnoff Mule check out the site here>>

Connect with Guinness 250 @ Arthur's Day

by Jamie Richardson on July 16th, 2009

Today Guinness announced the line-up of artists that will be part of Arthur’s Day 250th anniversary celebrations. But until the actual anniversary festivities on 24th September 2009, Guinness launched a preview right here in Dublin at Oliver St. John Gogarty’s Pub.

With live acts from both The Chapters and Noah and the Whale, the afternoon swelled with excitement for the approaching celebration of Arthur’s Day. In September over 60 artists will be performing throughout Dublin and around the world as well. Today’s event provided a taste of what these gatherings will be like on that day.

Both The Chapters and Noah and the Whale added to the feel of an intimate pub setting that the Arthur’s Day celebration hopes to achieve. Oliver St. John Gogarty’s upstairs venue enhanced the experience of grabbing a pint of Guinness and listening to a band or artist. Not many people get to enjoy such a treat, but come September people all over Dublin, the country, and the world, will have an opportunity to do so.

The bands were great! Check out their performances:

The Chapters:

Noah and the Whale:

In addition to the Arthur’s Day celebrations was the focus of the Arthur Guinness Fund. So sign the Guinness posters in a local pub and Guinness will donate €2.50 for every signature. Easy enough, right?

For more information on the Guinness 250 Celebrations and how to get tickets, visit www.guinness.com & notable thanks go out to the people at Guinness and WHPR for the wonderful food, music, and drinks at this event! Great work!