Putting DEAC on the Map

Morrows are delighted to be working with the District Electoral Areas Commissioner on the current review of District Electoral Areas (DEAs) which will be used in future local government elections across NI. The Commissioner has already published his recommendations which look at the make up and naming of electoral areas for the new 11 Councils, or Local Government District areas as they are formally known.

These proposed DEAs represent the key building blocks for future local government elections and not only take into account the reduction in Councils themselves but the resulting reduction in wards across NI from 582-462. Among other things the provisional recommendations will consider whether DEAs will be made up of 5, 6 or 7 wards as per the legislation. As each ward effectively (albeit indirectly) represents a seat on Council this represents an important piece of work which is likely to interest both political parties and the electorate.

As well as organising and managing the planned 9 public inquiries taking place across the province during August and September, we are supporting the Commissioner on his media relations throughout the review.

My Time at Morrows- Emma Devlin

When I graduated Queen’s University, armed with a degree in English and French, I hadn’t the slightest idea what I wanted to do. As career goals go, saying “Booker-Prize-by-twenty-five” to a friend when you’re thirteen just doesn’t cut it. Besides, I was 23 and that stellar writing career wasn’t going in quite the direction I’d hoped (read: going nowhere). I knew I wanted something dynamic, something creative, something fulfilling. But what?

Looking for some inspiration, I signed up to the GAP programme, a work experience scheme for graduates, who placed me with Morrow Communications for three months. With no prior experience in Public Relations (“you make people look good, right?”), I knew I was in for a huge learning curve.

Luckily, the staff at Morrow’s are a friendly bunch, and from day one I felt included in the team. With their guidance, I worked on client projects for companies like Moy Park, which gave me a unique opportunity to see the kind of hard work and preparation that goes into every successful PR campaign.  

I made the most of my time at Morrow’s, and I think I’ve learned a lot about the industry. For example, I have a much better idea of the relationship between PR and the media. Before I began at Morrow’s, the only thing I knew about PR professionals was that they sent press releases to journalists. Writing press releases, attending photocalls and contacting newspapers for myself has taught me that there is much more to it than that.

I’ve got plenty of memorable moments to choose from. From going to a pop-up farm to glamming up a pair of rubber gloves for a photo-shoot, no two days were ever the same. But if I had to choose, it would be the first time I saw one of my press releases appear in a local newspaper. While it wasn’t a big story, I took a lot of care to make it as lively and engaging as I could. It was a lot of fun to write – I got to exercise my pun muscle – and seeing it in print was hugely gratifying. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Morrow Communications team. I feel privileged to have been placed with a talented and hardworking group of people who made a complete novice like me feel welcome. This experience has not only given me valuable insight into the PR industry, but also helped to shape my goals for the future.

Emma Devlin

It's Time To Celebrate Ireland's Marketing Achievements!

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Ireland is now open for entries.  CIM is calling on all businesses to enter the acclaimed CIM Ireland Excellence Awards 2013 to showcase their successful marketing campaigns.

The CIM Ireland Excellence Awards 2013, supported by Invest NI, provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the positive impact individuals and organisations have had within their particular industries. There are 17 award categories that take into account industry, campaign and individual achievements and CIM is encouraging businesses from all sectors to enter the awards whether private, public or social economy sector and....entry is free.

Dr. Vicky Kell, Director of Trade from principal sponsor Invest NI said, “The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Ireland Excellence Awards 2013 are one of the most prestigious awards in Ireland.  It is essential that companies in Northern Ireland develop effective marketing strategies to help them access new customers and compete successfully in export markets. Previous applicants have stated going through the process of applying helps you review and validate your approach.  Winning a CIM award can help your company stand out from the competition and we would encourage companies of all sizes to enter this year’s awards”.

Winners will be recognised by CIM at a highly anticipated awards ceremony taking place at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on 7th November hosted by broadcaster Claire McCollum..

Chair of the Ireland board of CIM Christine Watson said, “Marketing is undergoing a revolution – a recessionary climate and a growing marketer’s tool box that includes new digital platforms, that in themselves are ever-changing, brings both challenges as well as opportunities to our profession. Winning a CIM Marketing Excellence Award means that you have created results that deliver real business benefits.  

Click here for more details.  The closing date for award entries is 27 September 2013.

Pride without Prejudice

We are delighted to have been shortlisted in no less than 10 separate categories in this year's CIPR Pride Awards which celebrates the best work of the local PR/Communications industry. The categories include:

• Best Corporate and Business Communications Campaign
• Best Not for Profit Campaign
• Best Community Relations Campaign
• Best Low Budget Campaign
• Best Consumer Relations Campaign
• Best Use of Media Relations
• Best Use of Digital
• Best Integrated Campaign

We are also thrilled that our very own Kelly McKee is shortlisted in the 'Outstanding Young Communicator' category, and that we have once again made it onto the the 'Outstanding PR Consultancy of the Year' list - the seventh such time that we have been shortlisted in the last 8 years. 

All fingers and toes will be crossed on the night of Friday 11th October that we can pick up a few more gold and silver awards to add to our collection and who knows, even retain our Consultancy of the Year title. One thing is sure that whatever happens we will be letting our hair down !  

O-fish-ally a successful event!

The Morrows Events team recently managed the Flavours of the Foyle Seafood Festival, on behalf of Derry City Council Tourism Department.

The two day event featured live cookery stalls hosted by North West Chefs where visitors could try and buy dishes with ‘Flavours of the Foyle’.  A host of family fun and "brill"-iant entertainment was on offer including a Loughs Agency touch tank, live music and ‘fishy’ street entertainers.

Working with our partners – Food NI, we also created a ‘Theatre of Food’ featuring live cookery demonstrations of signature dishes, hosted by celebrity chefs Paula McIntyre and Brian McDermott.

The Flavours of the Foyle Seafood Festival saw over 10,000 visitors (not even squidding..!) over the two days – almost doubling the expected figures and judging by the amount of ‘Gone Fishing’ signs at the end of each day – visitors certainly got a taste of Northern Ireland – “Our Food So Good”.

Pardon the fishy puns..but we had a whale of a time.. 

A European Events Team!



Morrow’s Events team have just returned from Dublin where they successfully managed the EuroSME 2013 Conference on behalf of Enterprise Ireland and the European Commission.  The two-day event focused on Horizon 2020, the EU’s upcoming framework for Research and Innovation and the conference provided an opportunity for delegates to have their say and to help shape the innovation agenda.

320 delegates from 20 European countries travelled to Dublin with the main conference proceedings taking place within the historic grounds of Dublin Castle as well as a gala dinner at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.  Keynote speakers included Sean Sherlock TD, Clara de la Torre, Director of Research and Innovation at the European Commission as well as Keary Crawford from the Growth Strategy Co based in Washington D.C. and Anne-Lise Kjaer, a futurist and founder of Kjaer Global Ltd.

View a short conference highlights video here:

Have you got what it takes to join our winning team?

‘CIPR Outstanding Consultancy of the Year’ Morrow Communications is looking for a number of energetic graduates to join its growing team. 

Based in Holywood Co. Down, Morrow Communications is one of Ireland’s leading integrated communications consultancies representing well-known clients across the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

We believe in diversity – so all degree backgrounds will be considered- however you must have a keen interest in current affairs and the media, excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn.

To meet our growing client needs, we’re particularly interested in people from an agricultural/ agri-food background at this time so if you’re from farming stock let us know… But don’t worry if you’re a city slicker with an interest in all things technological - we want to hear from you too!

Interested? Send your CV and a covering letter to mail@morrowcommunications.com by Friday 19^th July. 

Showers don’t deter Open Farm Weekend crowds

Despite some bad weather, the UFU’s Open Farm Weekend initiative enjoyed a fantastic turnout recently with nearly 10,000 people visiting real, working farms to learn more about farming and local food. The event, now in its second year, saw a large increase in participating farms and an even larger increase in people visiting a farm, many for the first time on the weekend of the 15^th and 16^th of June.

Morrow Communications ran an integrated communications campaign for the project involving media relations, social media management and advertising across TV, radio, online and local press titles. The campaign ran in two distinct phases - the first targeting the agri-sector to encourage participation in the event from potential host farmers and young farmers and the second to drive awareness and understanding of the event with the consumer, which ran just ahead of the main event. Morrow were also tasked with managing the project’s online presence and providing on-farm teaching aids to help relate the “field to fork” message to farm visitors.

The OFW team at Morrows were delighted to see attendance figures this year soaring far beyond those of Open Farm Weekend 2012 - in total 9,690 people visited participating farms this year - an almost 100% improvement on 2012 figures. 

Barclay Bell, Deputy President of Ulster Farmers’ Union said, “The weather conditions were certainly challenging for some of our farmers on the Saturday. But I was delighted to see first-hand that this didn’t deter the people of Northern Ireland from coming out in their thousands to make the most of Open Farm Weekend!”

The 2013 initiative saw 19 real working farms opening their gates to the public to learn more about where their food comes from and to get a “behind the scenes” look at a real, working farm. Each event was as unique as the farmer, with some providing fascinating guided tours and others hosting eating challenges, barbecues, games and petting zoos. 

Open Farm Weekend is a project by Ulster Farmers’ Union and is supported by The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Food Programme and Business in the Community NI, on behalf of The Prince’s Countryside Fund and is sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK and NFU Mutual.