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:

Read Full Story »

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.

Read Full Story »

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:

Read Full Story »

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.

Read Full Story »

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.

Read Full Story »

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.

Read Full Story »

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?

Read Full Story »

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!

Read Full Story »

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:

Read Full Story »

May 27 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Eleanor McGillie interviews 12th May 2015 Brent Marris, at a Brent Marris Wine Tasting Evening at Uluru Bar & Grill, Market Square, Armagh City. Picture Oliver McVeigh Strict Copyright of Oliver McVeigh

Grape grower tells Eleanor McGillie his story of the ‘next generation’ wine legacy

Uluru Bar & Grill in Armagh recently hosted a wine tasting evening with Brent Marris – the founder of the iconic ‘the Ned’ label who travelled from New Zealand.

Brent Marris is no stranger to Northern Ireland. The famous wine maker says Northern Ireland holds a special place in his heart because of our humour, our connection with our land and the infectious culture which makes him feel at home. Brent has plans to return next year when we are celebrating our year of Food Tourism.

Read Full Story »

May 27 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Emerson's Supermarket in Armagh has been serving the district for over 125 years. Now it's the UK's Most Sustainable Independent Retailer of the year

City centre boosted with Emerson’s Supermarket refurbishment complete

The new look Emerson’s, Uluru Bar & Grill, The Wine Store and the Post Office have added life and a new buzz to Armagh’s historic city centre.

For two years, the planning and implementation of a £2million refurbishment programme has been strategically rolled out. But with the programme of works well and truly completed, owner Gavin Emerson reflects back on what has been achieved for the local community, and how the city centre has been given a huge boost.

Read Full Story »

May 7 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Chris Martin, left, and Ricky Martin, right, are campaigning to Pitch to Rich

Surfing brothers step it up a gear as they top the table in Pitch to Rich bid

Two brothers who started a campaign to secure votes to get them through to the next stage of Pitch To Rich have come out on top at the first hurdle.

Ricky Martin and his brother Chris, two well known surfing brothers from the North Coast, are competing to pitch The Skunkworks Surfboard Company to billionaire Richard Branson in the Pitch to Rich initiative which, if they win, could secure their company £50,000. Good luck to Ricky and Chris. Here’s the full story:

Read Full Story »

May 4 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Dowling crowned the 2015 AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster champion

Mark Dowling, of DID Dunboyne, has won the overall 2015 AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster trophy, in partnership with SDS Energy Group and Saltmarine.

Dowling, who raced from Belfast to Cookstown in 6hrs 17minutes and 32 seconds, beat Eoin Morton by three seconds in the battle to win the pink jersey. The Tour of Ulster 2015 was organised by Garry Nugent of BGN Management and plans are already underway for the Tour of Ulster 2016. Here’s the stage 4 story:

Read Full Story »

May 3 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

PR agency MGMPR - 3 May 2015; A general view of the action as the peloton approach Killylea, Co. Armagh, during the third stage. 150 elite cyclists from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete in Stage 3 of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster in partnership with the SDS Group and Saltmarine Cars. Stage 3 takes the cyclists from Newry - Camlough - Newtownhamilton - Keady - Markethill - Hamiltonsbawn - Richill - Armagh - Caledon - Aughnacloy - Ballygawley (Whitebridge Road) - Pomeroy - Donaghmore - Cookstown. Picture credit: Stephen McMahon / SPORTSFILE

Tour of Ulster Stage 3 ends with Laverack victorious after 92.3 mile battle

Sunday’s stage 3 of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster got off to a great start after Saturday’s washout in Co Down which resulted in the stage being postponed.

The teams battled it out for the pink jersey yet again as they raced from Newry to Cookstown with crowds cheering along the roadsides as they sped through towns and villages. It was Edward Laverack (Cheshire JLT Condor) fought the battle hard to win the Homecare Independent Living sponsored stage 3 which finished on Cookstown.

Read Full Story »

May 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Tour of Ulster - 1 May 2015; Michael Devins, Stamullen M Donnelly/Fast Shipping, in action during the time trial stage. 150 elite cyclists from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete in the Time Trial stage of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster in partnership with the SDS Group and Saltmarine Cars. The Time Trial took place at Belfast's Stormont Estate from the entrance, past Carson's Monument to the top and back to the bottom of the avenue. Picture credit: Stephen McMahon / SPORTSFILE

Tour of Ulster stage two called off as cyclists battle snow, rain and high winds

Stage Two of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster has been called off today as cyclists battled their way through snow, sleet and high winds.

Organiser Garry Nugent said calling off the gruelling road race was the right thing to do in the interests of safety. The race, which is Ireland’s longest established road race, has attracted teams from Australia, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland and from the north and south of Ireland. Here’s the full story from today:

Read Full Story »