New editor for TheJournal.ie
TheJournal.ie has announced the appointment of Susan Daly as its editor, following the resignation of Jennifer O’Connell, who has been involved in the site since it was set up in June 2010 and oversaw its launch last October. According to the site, O’Connell has stepped down from her role “to pursue a number of freelance projects and to spend more time with her young family”. She will continue to write for the TheJournal.ie . Daly, a former day news editor with the Irish Daily Star, has been promoted from the position of deputy editor of the site.
Read MoreMazda, Metro Herald and Mindshare team up for augmented reality competition
Augmented reality is playing a central part in a new Metro Herald competition that is giving away a new Mazda2 as its top prize. Since last Tuesday, Metro Herald has been running a teaser campaign encouraging readers to download a dedicated augmented reality app called Junaio on their Android smartphones or iPhones. From today, readers can hold their smartphones over the ads in a special Mazda takeover edition of the paper, to watch a selection of Mazda videos come to life in a bespoke, 3D augmented reality microsite. They can then visit the Mazda Ireland Facebook page to answer a simple question, based on the video, to enter the draw…
Read MoreNoonan defends levy on pension funds
A levy of 0.6pc imposed on pension funds to pay for some of the measures announced in yesterday’s Jobs Initiative has produced an uncalled for “quasi-hysterical” reaction, according to Minister for Finance Michael Noonan. The effect the levy will have on pension funds has been “exaggerated” by the pensions industry, Noonan told reporters at a press conference following the Dáil announcement of the much-anticipated Jobs Initiative. He said the Government were “pulling back a very small proportion” of major tax reliefs that the funds have enjoyed in previous years. It will take very little from the value of the funds, he said. He criticised the “quasi-hysterical” reaction, pointing out that…
Read MoreBank of Ireland Announces Latest Board Shakeup
A Great Step Forward for the BoI. Five directors have stepped down from the board of the Bank of Ireland , a move that brings the group closer to meeting the terms of the government’s committee and management renewal plan. Michael Noonan told Irish banks last month to clear out the board members and management that had been in place through the financial crisis. The bank said it continues to be “engaged” in the ongoing programme of change required by the Department of Finance. To highlight this, the Bank of Ireland announced the resignation of three non-executive directors and two directors from its board. It said the resignations were accepted “in the interests of facilitating further…
Read MoreSuperquinn unions look for meeting
After weekend reports that the supermarket chain may be up for sale, the Superquinn Group of Trade Unions has requested a meeting with senior management to discuss the job security of their 2,500 members. Mandate Trade Union, SIPTU and the Bakers’ Union said they have written to management seeking an urgent meeting on the future ownership of the company. Media reports at the weekend suggested the company, which has 23 stores nationwide, was seeking a buyer. The claims were denied by Superquinn despite Musgraves making a recent approach to take over the group. According to the reports, however, Superquinn’s board is opposed to an immediate sell-off of the company. Gerry…
Read MoreUS CEO pay rose 11pc in 2010
Chief executives in the US saw a significant jump in their pay last year as they received large bonuses for returning their companies to profit and growth. According to a study for the Wall Street Journal by management consultancy Hay Group, the median value of salaries, bonuses and long-term incentive awards for CEOs of 350 major companies rose 11pc to US$9.3m. In 2009, pay to CEOs was flat at the same companies. However, in 2010, chief executives were rewarded for increasing profits and share values. Company incomes, profits and share value increased by more than pay did. Top of the list was Viacom’s Philippe Dauman who earned $84.3m, double his…
Read MoreElaine Pyke Takes the Helm as Director of Sky Atlantic HD, Strengthening Sky’s Premium Content
Sky has appointed Elaine Pyke to the newly created role of director of Sky Atlantic HD, the pay-tv company’s latest star channel, which boasts dramas from the UK and abroad and over 10 million viewers. Pyke, previously head of drama at Sky, begins her new role immediately, reporting to Stuart Murphy. She will oversee the continuing expansion of the Sky Atlantic brand as it invests in the best commissioned and acquired content for customers. As head of drama, Sky says Pyke has been at the forefront of the group’s drama commissioning strategy. The move indicates the importance of the pay television company’s newest channel. She has been responsible for developing…
Read MoreSilver Recovers While Gold Prices Steady
The price of spot gold steadied today after hitting a record US$1,575.79 an ounce yesterday, while silver recovered from its biggest drop in 29 months. The death of al Qaeda’s leader Osama Bin Laden accelerated spot gold’s drop to $1,540.39 from a record high of $1,575.79 on Monday. Later Tuesday, spot gold was flat at $1,543.89 an ounce. Gold’s bull run has continued as investors look for a safe haven for their money amid worries about the weak US dollar, the ongoing eurozone debt crisis and global inflation. It lost some appeal following the death of Bin Laden but this concern will be short-lived, according to analysts. Silver rose by…
Read MoreBudweiser Ice Cold campaign offers money off for good weather
Budweiser is today launching a novel campaign that will see it bringing down the price of a pint as the temperature rises. Consumers who download the ‘Budweiser Ice Cold Index’ mobile app will be entitled to a free pint if the temperature reaches over 20�C. They will receive €2 off at participating Index bars when it’s 18�C or 19�C, and a €1 mobile voucher when it’s 16�C or 17�C. Anyone downloading the app can avail of these offers from today until 31 August and will also receive one free pint of Budweiser Ice Cold, regardless of the weather. The offer is limited to one free or money-off voucher per day,…
Read MoreComplaints to financial Ombudsman hit record high
The amount of complaints received by the Financial Services Ombudsman in Ireland reached record highs last month. In his bi-annual review, Bill Prasifka said his office received more complaints in March than they had in any other month since the Ombudsman was put in place. The report prompted Prasfika to call for “much more to be done to restore public confidence to the financial sector”. In the six months to the end of December 2010, there was a 40pc increase in the amount of complaints about mortgages, while grievances about investment and insurance products remained at record highs. The review shows that a total of 3,599 complaints were received…
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