June 26 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

North Coast brothers pitch to Richard Branson but miss out on top prize

Two North Coast brothers travelled to London in a quest to win £50,000 in the Virgin Business Media competition Pitch To Rich.

Ricky Martin, of The Skunkworks Surfboard Company and owner of Alive Surf School, faced billionaire Richard Branson and a panel of prestigious judges to tell the story of the next generation surfboards which are being manufactured in Coleraine. The guys didn’t win but they had an amazing experience. Here’s the story:

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June 23 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Online platform to guide NI businesses through auto enrolement challenge

Thousands of small businesses in Northern Ireland received letters this week alerting them to their legal requirements for Auto Enrolment – the Government’s pensions initiative.

An online platform to guide NI businesses through auto enrolment challenge has been created by the team of independent financial advisers at Watson French. myauto-enrolment.co.uk takes the pressure off small regional businesses who are most likely to feel the strain. Here’s the full story:

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June 22 Brand Journalism PR Northern Ireland The MGMPR Motor Review

Here’s one for you! When is a Citroen not a Citroen? When it’s a DS

The DS3 was voted the What Car? magazine as being the best small car in 2014. It’s customer satisfaction score and overall industry average were high.

But just what is the stylish yet affordable motor like when it’s out on the open road. Steve Grant takes a close look at the spec, manoeuvrability and the key features which is making this car very attractive to the 320,000 householders worldwide since it was launched in 2010. Fancy a sneaky peak – here’s why the DS3 is so desirable.

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June 16 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Ricky Martin, left, and his brother Chris Martin, right - JJ-5416

North Coast surfers secure 5,000 votes to win a pitch to billionaire Richard Branson

The two brothers who set up The Skunkworks Surfboard Company have made it to the final – thanks to almost 5,000 of you who voted for them.

Ricky Martin and his brother Chris have been announced today as finalists in the #VOOM Pitch To Rich competition. The brothers will travel to London on June 26 to do a live pitch to Richard Branson and a panel of prestigious judges in the hope to secure £50,000 for their Coleraine based business. Here’s the full story:

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June 15 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

International success as Armagh Cider Company scoops up a host of medals

Armagh Cider Company, Northern Ireland’s longest established cider producer, has been awarded six medals in the 2015 International Cider Challenge.

Armagh Cider Company produce a range of artisan ciders, juices and vinegars which are all hand crafted at Ballinteggart House. The products are completely natural with genuine provenance and heritage behind them. The company prides itself in delivering artisan and handcrafted products which do not contain artificial ingredients.

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June 15 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Minister has ‘serious and urgent’ questions to answer says Markethill High School

Markethill High School is calling on the Education Minister to be transparent about his recent decisions in relation to requests for temporary variations in admissions.

The Minister refused Markethill High School and St Paul’s in Bessbrook but then did a U-turn on his St Paul’s decision which then saw St Paul’s being allocated an extra 24 places. The newly elected MP Mickey Brady described this as ‘Team Sinn Fein delivering for people on the ground’. Here’s the full story.

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June 8 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Graeme McDowell shows his support for Chris Martin and his brother Ricky Martin, right, of the Skunkworks Surfboard Co - JJ-5389

Graeme McDowell lends his support for surfing brothers in Pitch To Rich

Golfing legend Graeme McDowell has taken to his social media accounts to support two brothers in the #Voom Pitch to Rich competition.

Ricky and Chris Martin of The Skunkworks Surfboard Company were delighted when their old school buddy sent the voting link to his his 672,598 Twitter followers, his 133,000 Facebook followers and 49,700 Instagram followers. Voting closes on June 10 at 10am. Join Graeme and vote for The Skunkworks Surfboard Company.

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June 5 Brand Journalism PR Northern Ireland The MGMPR Motor Review

Ford introduces in-car camera technology which let’s say – is more than pretty cool!

Trying to see round a corner is impossible – well, it was impossible. Ford have now introduced a new technology which enables drivers to see round corners.

The first-in-segment technology is activated simply with the push of a button. A 1-megapixel camera in the front grille enables drivers to see a real-time 180-degree view – left and right – on the vehicle’s eight-inch colour touchscreen. Drivers can track road users approaching on either side and pass in front of the vehicle. Pretty cool right?

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June 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Ricky Martin, left, and his brother Chris Martin, right - JJ-5416

Surfing brothers are through to the semi finals in #Voom: Pitch To Rich

Surfing brothers Ricky Martin and Chris Martin are through to the semi finals of the #Voom: Pitch to Rich competition.

The next stage of the competition, being run by Virgin Media Business, is a voting process which means the guys need your votes. If they win this voting round the guys will win the chance to pitch The Skunkworks Surfboard Company directly to a prestigious judging panel headed by billionaire Richard Branson. Here’s the full story with the link you need. Go on – click!

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June 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Anger among parents as Minister refuses extra places at Markethill High School

The Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, and MP Mickey Brady have caused outrage over decisions and comments about school admissions.

Parents, pupils and the Board of Governors are furious that the Minister refused Markethill High School an additional seven places but awarded another school an extra 24 places. Parents are reeling also over comments made by the area’s new MP. The school is encouraging parents to take action. Here’s the full story:

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