Barry Group has awarded its agency contract to Moody Public Relations and The Engine Room, following a six-way pitch process in December. With Barry Group commemorating its 60th anniversary this year, the agencies will be looking to maixmise the retail group’s presence across mainstream and trade media over the coming months. “Barry Group has successfully invested in retailer supports in the areas of logistics, technology and product development, and the major push now is to complement our successful local marketing strategy with a co-ordinated national marketing presence, which the appointment of Moody PR and The Engine Room will support”, said Barry Group managing director Jim Barry.
NFRN Ireland has said that it was “delighted” with a recent meeting with Minister for Social Protection Kevin Humphreys, at which it shared its agenda for the coming year, and discussed its members concerns, including action on rate costs, retail crime, the illict trade and carriage charges. “NFRN Ireland was delighted to be invited to discuss our Agenda with Minister Humphreys, said NFRN Ireland President Peter Steemers. “We were able to raise the issues that are most affecting our members throughout Ireland and put into action our plan to improve awareness of these at the highest levels of governance in Ireland.”
Independent News & Media is reportedly seeking as many as 30 redundancies, as it seeks to reorganise its editorial teams. “We need to adjust our organisation and structures for and protect against cyclical economic changes and impacts," said chief executive Robert Pitt. "We have developed a roadmap that is both realistic and exciting for us”. Shifts in operations will see a common newsroom for all newspapers, including the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and the Herald, along with a localised news desk to manage breaking news for online and print media.
Farmbake Ireland has announced a ‘fresh new look’ for its Jam Tarts range. The range retails at €2.29 for a packet of six individual tarts, and is available in 2,500 stores nationwide including Tesco, Londis, Gala, Spar, Mace and Costcutter. Farmbake also produces a range of cakes and baked goods including Almond Fingers, Mini Battenburgs, Apple Turnovers, Bakewell Tarts and Queen Cakes.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland will be holding a number of free informal 'Breakfast Bites' seminars, starting on February 18, aimed at small to medium-sized food businesses. The first event will focus on ‘How To Manage Food Safety In Your Business', and will examine Food Safety Management Systems, HACCP principles, and the current legislation. The event will take place in the Seminar Room, Food Safety Authority Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey St, Dublin 1. Registration is required by the 16th of February, as spaces are limited.
Kestrel Foods, based in Portadown, has announced a £750,000 investment in its business, including the creation of 11 new jobs over the coming year. The business, which owns the Forest Feast and Acti-Snack brands, said that the expansion would help build the business in international markets. “Kestrel is an impressive export-led company, a tremendous role model of what a smaller business can achieve from ongoing investment in innovative products and processes focused on sales abroad," said Brian Dolaghan, Invest NI’s Director of Business and Sector Development. "As a result, the business now has very solid platforms in Europe and Hong Kong on which to build further international sales."
Lidl has taken the 'Best Business Working With The Community Award’ for its work with Crosscare, at the 2015 Community and Council Awards, organized by the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA). The award was sponsored by Kildare County Council. Lidl worked with Crosscare to develop a mobile food bank, to distribute excess food stock from stores in the Greater Dublin area to local charities.
Diageo's Smirnoff brand has launched new ‘Cosmopolitan’ and 'Moscow Mule' cocktail mixes this month, two new flavours, to add to its range of pre-mix cocktails such as Smirnoff and Cranberry, Smirnoff Apple Bite, Smirnoff & Cola, Smirnoff & Diet Cola. Karen O’Shea, Marketing Manager for Smirnoff Western Europe commented, “We are really excited to be launching the Cosmo and Moscow Mule to our Smirnoff premix range. These cocktails allow you to have a delicious, perfect serve with absolutely no hassle involved”.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Robert Moloney and Stephen Wynne-Jones
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