Britain’s Got Talent took over the TV this week. We loved Ryan O’Shaughnessy in the auditions and we’re wishing him the best now that he’s reached the final. Do you think he can win or will Ashleigh and Pudsey take the crown?
A new wine bar opened on Pembroke St in Cork recently called Arthur Maynes. Based in an old chemist, the owners have really kept the essence of the pharmacy in the bar by using some of the old products as decoration with vintage bottles, the old till and classic make-up brands dotted around the venue. The ladies toilet is a haven for many of the vintage items with a display cabinet full of cutex nail polish, white musk perfume, Yardley body powder and Pretty Polly tights in 1960’s packaging – it really brought back memories of being about six or seven and raiding mum’s beauty drawer when she was out, ruining her favourite lipstick, dropping full bottles of nail polish on the floor and spraying her expensive perfume all over the house! The wine bar offers a delicious range of charcuterie, cheese, pates, dips and breads, along with a great selection of wines. As you walk into the wine bar on the right hand side, there is a machine that allows you to pick a taster of wine before you decide which one you want to go for. It was packed at 7pm on Saturday evening, so if you are heading to Cork and fancy a visit, make sure you get their early to grab a seat.
This video was commissioned for the launch of DublinTown.ie – We love it!
Last Saturday night, we readied our sea-legs and boarded the MV Cill Airne which is moored on the River Liffey in the heart of the Dublin Docklands. Unsure of what to expect initially, we soon discovered that dining in the Quay 16 Restaurant is an experience not to missed. Newly renovated, the restaurant itself is about as authentic as you can get with large wooden beams and long galley tables.
While the food is a great surprise, the surroundings actual make it an evening to remember. We started off with a delicious starter of hearty homemade soup followed by a robust main of 8oz Fillet Steak with a blue cheese and mushroom glaze. Despite filling our boots, we managed to make room for dessert – not one of us could resist sampling the Milk chocolate malt and crunchie mousse with homemade cookies.
The MV Cill Airne definitely deserves the Elevate seal of approval – good food and an unusual venue. Maybe try and choose a sunny day to make the most of it, then just climb aboard and find your sea legs!
The Association of Online Publishers recently commissioned Amárach Research to investigate the area of online engagement among frequent internet users in Ireland. The survey focused on trust, context, agenda setting, engagement, endorsement and vision.
The study found that trust is key in terms of engagement and advertising responsiveness and, that Irish internet users are three times more likely to trust Irish content sites compared to social networks. As we all know, investing in original and quality content and curating that content in an engaging way is essential. Irish internet users trust Irish sites as the ‘go to’ source of information. While there is the opinion that people get all their news from Twitter and social networks, this study found that information from Irish content sites is still a key driver of online conversations.
53% of those surveyed said that they talk to others about the content they have seen on Irish sites and about the ones that are the most engaging. As more and more consumers spend time online, engagement is the key to success, as engagement not only drives brand relations, it also drives brand advocacy. With marketers under pressure to demonstrate strong return on investment, it is good to know that Irish content sites are performing well, as they can offer a ‘halo effect’ to advertisers, they can create a ‘virtuous circle’, users do search for a brand based on engaging advertising and content and visitors to Irish content sites are not only more likely to interact with a brand, but also to purchase or take a call to action.
For a full look at the research, click here.
You Tube turned seven on Monday so our video this week is the first video ever uploaded to the site, ‘Me at the Zoo’
As the summer months draw closer, we are really jumping on the ‘health is your wealth’ band wagon and getting active outdoors. As a starting point, we teamed up with the guys from Boyne Valley Activities for an unforgettable weekend of kayaking that was invigorating and lots of fun!
With an early morning start in Trim, Co. Meath, our instructors Dara and James gave us the low down on what to expect while on the water and how to manage those tricky rapids that pop up. The two hour downstream trip on the Boyne offered us some beautiful sights including a horse riding lesson, which was taking place on the bank of the river, and the stunning scenery of Trim Castle and Demesne. Along with some fun and games with the group, which frequently ended in a capsized kayak, Dara and James gave great insights into the location, their experiences on the river and their tips for keeping upright, while battling pesky rapids and strong currents.
Overall it was a great day and, the fact that it is a mere 40 minute drive from Dublin, we would definitely recommend a trip down the river Boyne with Dara and James from Boyne Valley Activities!
Here at Elevate we’ve been getting all nostalgic discussing some of our favourite ads over the years. We know that a great ad can stick with you throughout your life and can ultimately change the way you feel about a brand. For ads to make an impact, they really need to stand out from the crowd and catch your attention within seconds. We would love to know what your favourite ad is?
Some of the classics we have been chatting about include:
Real Fires: Cat, mouse and dog:
Guinness – The Dancing Man:
Diet Coke – Break Ad:
With some of our more recent favourites including:
Old Spice – The Man Your Man Could Smell Like:
The Force: Volkswagen Commercial:
Cadbury’s Gorilla:
