AAI reveals new logo
The Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI) has today launched its new logo design, which will feature on all new print from the organisation, as well as being a major feature of the AAI website, currently being redesigned. The new AAI colour scheme has changed from blue and yellow to green and black. In addition, the new design is presented in a horizontal linear style, whereas the previous style was perpendicular in layout. The type font has also been changed. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the AAI,” said Fiona Curtin, president of the AAI, at the launch of the new design. “A lot has happened…
Read MoreQuick response expected by social media complainers
Consumers have higher expectations of social media customer services compared to more traditional channels, with one in four people complaining about brands through Twitter or Facebook expecting a response within an hour and 6pc expecting to hear back within 10 minutes, new research from Lightspeed Research and the IAB in the UK has revealed. On the other hand, 50pc of consumers who made complaints via a brand’s own website were happy to receive a response within a day and 27pc within three days. The survey of over 1,000 internet users in the UK found that younger people are more likely to use social media platforms to complain about brands. Fifteen percent…
Read MoreTesco’s Christmas relied on international sales
It may not have been a very merry Christmas for British retailers Tesco were it not for the success of its international stores. The world’s no. 3 retailer made progress in the six weeks to January 8 with group sales increasing by 7.6pc. However, the majority of this growth came from sources outside of Ireland and the UK. Total international sales over the period grew at 14.2pc, with strong performances in Asia, Europe and the United States. Chief executive Terry Leahy said, “The group has continued to make good progress, helped by strong growth across our international businesses, which delivered over half of the group’s growth.” The supermarket giant said its…
Read MoreUK’s SEO market worth £436m in 2010
The Growing Natural Search Market in the UK The natural search market in the UK grew 16pc in 2010 to a value of £436m, according to Econsultancy. This valuation encompasses the overall expenditure on search engine optimization (SEO) in the UK, including investments in agency management services, technology, and consultancy. The substantial increase in the market’s value reflects the continued recognition and adoption of SEO as a highly effective method for driving traffic, boosting sales, and delivering impressive returns on investment. Econsultancy’s 2011 SEO Agencies Buyer’s Guide Econsultancy, a leading digital marketing and research company, which has just published its 2011 SEO Agencies Buyer’s Guide , said this valuation reflects the total amount of money…
Read MoreIrish Gov against EU tax reforms
Government’s Warning on Proposed Taxation Rules The Government has warned the European Commission that the proposed introduction of rules on the taxation of business profits will damage Ireland’s economic recovery. Ireland told the Commission that if the pan-European rules went through then the country faces further tax increases and public spending cuts. EU’s Plan for European-wide Tax Calculation Formula The Irish Times reports today that the EU plans to draft legislation in March for European-wide formula to calculate corporation tax. Ireland has been a popular location for international corporations because of its generous tax regime but any EU-wide changes could dim its attractiveness. Submission of Private Document to Taxation Commissioner…
Read MoreMurex announces 30 new jobs
Financial software firm Murex has announced it is to create 30 new jobs in Dublin as part of an expansion plan. The new positions will be created by the French company over the next three years in software development, business development and consulting. Murex, which arrived in Dublin 11 years ago, already employs 60 workers in south Dublin. The company said it is seeking workers with a combination of degree and masters qualifications in maths, engineering and computer science. The investment is supported by IDA Ireland. Managing director of Murex, Francois Pourprix, said, “The success of Murex’s Irish operation to date has led to this further expansion being announced today.…
Read MoreHonohan welcomes foreign owners for Irish banks
Governor of the Central Bank Patrick Honohan has once again said he “looks forward” to welcoming foreign owners for Irish banks. Explaining his remarks, he said it is evident that the involvement of new foreign owners could put the banking system on a “firm footing”. He said they can bring capital, risk control and other management skills. Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Honohan said that the Irish banks need to be downsized, therefore reducing risks and helping the Irish economy demonstrate the tail risk is lower than investors currently believe. “An effective bank restructuring requires that the fortunes of the banks and the budget be convincingly…
Read MoreBP cost-cutting contributed to spill
The White House has said that cost-cutting measures made by BP and its partners contributed to last year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The disaster, which ravaged the coast, has been investigated by a special White House commission, which released its final report yesterday. The commission found that the oil giant BP and some of its partners did not have sufficient measures in place to ensure safety on the Macondo well. “Whether purposeful or not, many of the decisions that BP, Halliburton, and Transocean made that increased the risk of the Macondo blowout clearly saved those companies significant time (and money),” the report said. The commission will release its full…
Read MoreUK to investigate Ryanair’s Aer Lingus stake
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in the UK has said it is not too late to examine Ryanair’s 2006 purchase of a stake in rival airline Aer Lingus. The OFT confirmed yesterday that it wrote to Ryanair informing it was “in time” to review the purchase of its minority stake. Ryanair said it intends to appeal the decision and maintains the OFT are “out of time” in enquiring the matter. The EU Competition Commissioner has already investigated the matter and confirmed that Ryanair would not have to divest its shareholding since it is not a controlling stake. Ryanair does not have “decisive influence” over Aer Lingus, it also said.…
Read More2010 a record year for Ryanair
Budget airline Ryanair has announced today that record numbers of passengers travelled on its services during 2010. In a statement today, Ryanair said its traffic grew by 10pc from 65 million passengers to 72 million. In August, a monthly record was set when more than 7.7 million passengers flew with the airline. However, the company’s busiest day was recorded on July 30 when more than 1,400 flights carried over 255,000 people. Spokesman for the firm, Daniel de Carvalho said the airline’s success could be attributed to its punctuality, as well as its lowest lost luggage performance.
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