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Stuart Fogarty

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Bauer Media Audio agrees to acquire iRadio

From Breaking News August 19th:

Bauer Media Audio Ireland has today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire iRadio, the leading youth music station serving listeners spanning the North East, Midlands and North West.

Bauer Media Audio Ireland now extends its total weekly radio reach to almost 1.9 million listeners.

iRadio is one of Ireland’s leading youth music brands, being the most listened to station in the 15 to 44 demographic across its 15 broadcast counties.

TodayFM, SPIN and Newstalk are all currently under the ownership of Bauer Media Audio.

The business has also invested in audioXi – Ireland’s largest digital audio advertising exchange, and home to a number of innovative advertising formats.

Speaking on the transaction, Chris Doyle, Interim CEO, Bauer Media Audio Ireland said “iRadio is a high-quality business and we’re looking very forward to welcoming it to Bauer. Together, we’ll be able to ensure that the station can provide even more of the great content, music and entertainment that its audiences love.”

Willie O’Reilly, Chairman at iRadio said “iRadio has grown to become the most popular radio station in its broadcast region keeping listeners across its fifteen counties informed and entertained. The board would like to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey for their contribution. iRadio is now ready to embark on a new chapter as part of Bauer Media Audio. Its best days lie ahead”

 

Radio Advertising Market Rises by 3% in First Half of 2023

From IMJ Adworld August 8th (but we’re not surprised, it’s flying on Admatic) :

The Irish radio advertising market continued to enjoy revenue growth in the first half of 2023 with total spend increasing by 3% to €76.5m according to figures published by Radiocentre Ireland. According to the figures, the first quarter of 2023 performed better with total spend up by around 6% for the first three months of the year. In the second quarter, however, the market was a little more challenging with revenue flat for the period.

According to Radiocentre Ireland, the €76.5 million revenue was made up of €59.6m in spot advertising, a 1% increase on the same period last year. Branded content, including sponsorships, content solutions and partnerships, rose by 5% to €13.6 million while digital audio revenues for the period amounted to €3.3m, an increase of 40%. However, this figure does not include revenues generated in the Irish market by global audio players like Spotify, Acast, Soundcloud.

The Radiocentre Ireland figures also show that the largest category spender on radio during the first six months was the retail sector followed by finance, government spending and the motoring with the latter in particular up 28% on 2022. Other sectors that reported strong growth included pharmaceuticals (+18%), travel and transport (+17%) and B2B (+11%).

“It is great to see further growth in radio revenue following on from such strong revenue growth in 2022,” says Ciaran Cunningham, CEO of Radiocentre Ireland.

“The JNLR listenership data confirms that radio enjoys huge audience numbers with 91% of Irish adults and 87% of 15-34-year-olds listening to radio every week,” he adds.

“Radio also delivers for advertisers according to recent research published by dentsu U.S. in partnership with Lumen Research, which measured attention to various audio formats. The research revealed that radio drove higher attentive seconds per thousand impressions compared to other digital, social and TV benchmarks,” Cunningham says.

 

ADMATIC DOES NOT ACCEPT MEDIA KICKBACKS FROM ANY MEDIA OWNER.

“The story in The Sunday Independent yesterday, that media agencies received media kickbacks in this case from RTE, we are fully familiar with and indeed, other forms of inducements to prefer one media owner over another. The difficulty is that they create a potential conflict of interest when recommending media choices to Clients. In other words, what’s best to tackle a project, rather than, be clouded by other financial considerations. We do NOT accept kickbacks from ANY media owner for exactly that reason. Never have, never will. We remain your impartial, independent advisers of media. The whole commission system should rightly be questioned now. But totally assured of our independence and we’re very grateful for your support”. Stuart Fogarty (former President IAPI and Fellow IAPI).

 

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rte-scandal-whistleblower-claims-broadcaster-gave-kickbacks-of-50m-to-ad-agencies/a848924733.html

Ban on TV and radio ads for alcohol before 9pm could be in place by next year.

From The Examiner May 22nd:

A ban on alcohol adverts on TV before a 9pm watershed could take effect before the end of next year, the Department of Health has said.

Regulations for strict limits on what can and cannot be featured in alcohol advertisements are also currently being developed by the office of the Attorney General. These limits, however, could take some time as they must be submitted to Europe for assessment and come with a three-year lead-in time.

This comes after the Government announced the enactment of another piece of its lengthy alcohol legislation — warning labels on alcohol products — on Monday.

While the Public Health Alcohol Act was passed and signed into law in 2018, the actual provisions in it have been introduced on a phased basis since then.

This has included separating alcohol from other products in shops and supermarkets and minimum unit pricing on alcohol.

The latest measure enacted will see comprehensive health labelling of alcohol products sold in Ireland. It has a lead-in time of three years to give businesses “significant time to prepare for the change”, the Department of Health said.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that packaging of other food and drink products already contain health information and warnings, where appropriate.

This law is bringing alcohol products into line with that,” he said.

While welcomed in some quarters, including the HSE and advocates such as the Irish Liver Foundation, it was heavily criticised by Drinks Ireland, which claimed the move was a “solo run” by the Government when the EU was planning a harmonised approach to health labels.

It said that opposition from Ireland’s trading partners will cause reputational, logistical, and financial harm to the sector here.

Drinks Ireland director Cormac Healy said: “Unfortunately, this is an example of zealotry rather than evidence-based legislation.”

As of yet, there are still other sections of the alcohol bill that are yet to be enacted.

Alcohol advertising

This includes strict advertising rules on TV and radio that would change both the time that adverts for beers, wines, and spirits could be shown, and their content

Under the provisions of the law, it would bring an advertising watershed for alcohol on television from 3am and 9pm. It would mean no alcohol ads could be shown during the day.

Advertisements would only be able to feature very specific features of the product, such as references to the product itself, where it is from, how it is produced, and “an objective description of [its] flavour, colour, and smell”.

Adverts should also contain warnings on the “danger of alcohol consumption” and the “direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers”, according to the legislation.

Reacting to the introduction of the health warnings on alcohol labels, Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said this measure on its own would be not be sufficient to “fully address the harm being experienced on a daily basis in Ireland”.

“Other important elements of the Alcohol Act still need to be commenced, such as the broadcast watershed for alcohol advertising and restrictions on the content of alcohol advertisements,” she said.

A Department of Health spokesperson said that consultation is ongoing regarding the broadcast watershed, but it is the intention of the minister for health that this be commenced this year.

There is a one-year lead-in time for this measure, so it could be in place before the end of 2024.

City Reach Buses. Now on Admatic with 2 FREE tickets to Bord Gais shows which you can add to our May Offers!

These are great, because it’s Transport Advertising but uniquely, in the Dublin City centre where other buses may not go! They’re a fleet of 12 tour buses (double deckers) with many opportunities which you’ll see in our Outdoor OOH section now. Highly recommended to consider because they’re new and different.

In addition, anyone who books over €2,500 in one transaction will receive 2 x tickets to any show at Bord Gais Energy theatre *Admatic exclusive and always subject to availability of tickets.

Newstalk Rolls Out Major Brand Refresh and New Tagline

May 20th from IMJ/Adworld:

Newstalk has rolled out a major new rebrand of the station, including a new logo, visual identity as well as a new brand tagline.

The rebrand of the Bauer Media-owned station is the first in 15 years and follows significant audience research and brand development work with agency partner Dynamo.

The new rebrand has been rolled out across all touch points and the new brand will be supported by a significant above the line marketing campaign launching in early June.

The new visual identity includes a dual font logo which plays on the two elements of the Newstalk brand name while placing distinct emphasis on the TALK element of the brand which delivers personality, opinion, and unmissable moments.

The station’s new tagline, meanwhile, is ‘Conversation That Counts’ which features in marketing and audio communications.

With a weekly audience of 786,000 listeners, Newstalk is the talk station for a new generation. The Newstalk on-air schedule and content proposition has evolved significantly over recent years and has been successfully resonating with audiences, demonstrated in strong listenership and digital audience growth.  This update harmonises the Newstalk brand and product offering.

“With already strong awareness, now was the perfect opportunity to refresh the Newstalk brand, evolving it to better reflect the product offering and position Newstalk as a more modern, dynamic and relevant media brand.  The new look for Newstalk and brand tag line delivers on this and will be a key element in widening the appeal of Newstalk, making the brand more accessible and reaching new audiences,” says managing editor of Newstalk, Patricia Monahan.

 According to Conor Wynne, deputy managing director: “We are delighted to see the results of months of hard work with Newstalk come to life. From redefining the brand’s strategy under the insight that it’s easy to present the facts but it’s difficult to inform opinion, the Newstalk brand relaunched under the strapline ‘Conversation that Counts’, is now refreshed and fit for purpose across every aspect. We’re counting on the new brand to make a marked impact across all audiences.”

Sky Ireland Wins Marketing Team of The Year at AIM Awards

May 20th From IMJ;

Sky Ireland received the award for Marketing Team of the Year at last night’s (Thursday, May 18) All Ireland Marketing (AIM) Awards gala dinner in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.

Diageo’s global director beer, Guinness, Baileys, and Smirnoff Gráinne Wafer was also recognised as the 2023 recipient of the All Ireland Marketing Champion Award on the night with over 800 people in attendance.

115 companies were shortlisted across 25 catergories.

Among the winners on the night was Vodafone Ireland who received the Advertising Campaign Award. Square took two awards, winning the International B2B Marketing Award and the Digital Marketing Campaign Award. Pat Spillane from Suntory Beverage & Food Ireland was recognised as the Young Marketer of the Year. SuperValu took home the Gradam Margaíochta le Gaeilge. Heineken scooped the Brand Campaign Award for Birra Moretti. Irish Life received the Sports Sponsorship Award. Diageo Ireland took home the Integrated Marketing Award for Guinness.

Commenting on the awards, Marketing Institute Ireland CEO Shane McGonigle said: “Marketing has been shown time and time again to be the key differentiator for successful companies. The breadth of entries and the commercial success they have delivered both at home and abroad is testament to the value our industry generates for the Irish economy and the calibre of the talent working in the profession. The future of our industry is clearly in good hands judging by strategic and innovative work of all our winners.”.

All-Ireland Marketing Award Winners 2023
1.       Public Relations Campaign Award Fáilte Ireland
2.       Corporate Social Responsibility Award Glenveagh Homes
3.       Client Agency Collaboration Award Tourism Northern Ireland and BBDO
4.       Sustainability Award Allianz
5.       Advertising Campaign Award Vodafone Ireland
6.       Brand Campaign Award Heineken – Birra Moretti
7.       International Marketing Award – B2B Square
8.       International Marketing Award – B2C WHOOP
9.       New Product Award O’Brien Fine Foods
10.   Gradam Margaíochta le Gaeilge SuperValu
11.   Insights & Market Research Award PepsiCo Ireland
12.   Young Marketer Award Pat Spillane – Suntory Beverage & Food Ireland
13.   Integrated Marketing Award Guinness – Diageo Ireland
14.   Marketing Innovation & Creativity Award Marie Keating Foundation
15.   Customer Experience Award Permanent TSB
16.   Digital Marketing Campaign Award – Consumer Tayto Snacks
17.   Online Channel Marketing Award An Post Money
18.   Entertainment Sponsorship Award Bewley’s Tea and Coffee
19.   Sports Sponsorship Award Irish Life
20.   B2B Marketing Award Laya Healthcare
21.   Digital Marketing Campaign Award – B2B Square

 

May 7th Late Late Show? Admatic Stuart’s views…

From Sunday Independent:

Expert warns RTÉ that advertisers for The Late Late Show are ‘nervy’ over speculation

Failure to plan for Ryan Tubridy’s successor ‘has led to a PR disaster’

Ryan Tubridy is stepping down as Late Late host. Photo: RTÉ

Niamh Horan

One of Ireland’s leading advertising experts has warned RTÉ that major clients need reassurance over The Late Late Show brand.

Stuart Fogarty, CEO of Admatic, said advertisers will be “unnerved” by “toxic” conversations surrounding the show.

Mr Fogarty, a brand consultant and the former owner of McConnell’s ad agency, said brands and sponsors are becoming concerned at the length of time it is taking to find a suitable candidate to replace Ryan Tubridy as host of RTÉ’s flagship show.

“They should have moved on it [the presenter] earlier and because they didn’t it created toxic conversations. The Late Late Show has the biggest audience in the State, the adverts are the biggest earner for RTÉ,” he said.

“RTÉ should be looking after the show with care and attention. Brands and sponsors need reassurance that the show is in safe hands, it is being looked after, and it is going to hold the audience numbers and bring in higher numbers in the future.”​

Mr Fogarty said RTÉ could command around €11,000 for a 30-second spot during the Friday night show.

“Advertising money chases the audience so they need to get it right. The sponsor will want to know who is going to take over. They will want to be kept in the loop about a new presenter.”

RTÉ insiders have told the Sunday Independent there is anger at the broadcaster over how management handled the situation.

A source said staff are dismayed by the “failure of planning” for a presenter which has led to a “PR disaster” and “clickbait” speculation.

“They should have known this might have been coming for a long time and they should have had someone ready to go,” the source said.

“There is a feeling that they don’t have anyone lined up because, if they had, they would have announced it by now…But they will need to find and announce the new name before The Late Late Show team start work again at the end of July.”

An industry source who makes programmes for RTÉ reiterated the view that the media conversation has been a “PR disaster”.

They also said The Late Late Show was under review “in the most rigorous and robust way possible”.

“Whether it will end up the same show is anyone’s guess,” the source said.

ASK US! RTÉ seeks new sponsor for Fair City for first time in nine years. Long-running RTÉ One soap opera has been backed by Chill Insurance since 2014

From Irish Times April 24th:

RTÉ is seeking a new sponsor for soap opera Fair City for the first time in nine years. Ireland’s longest-running soap is available to sponsor from May 1st, RTÉ Media Sales said, with the broadcaster looking for a minimum term of three months for an asking price of €150,000.

This is the first time the sponsorship has been up for grabs since 2014, when insurance broker company Chill Insurance signed on to back the soap, which airs four times a week on RTÉ One.

RTÉ said each episode of Fair City, which is made in-house at its Donnybrook campus and is now in its 34th year, is watched by more than 300,000 people, with the soap reaching more than 1.2 million adults every week. To date in 2023, it has also amassed 1.2 million streams on the RTÉ Player.

“Family and community have always been at the heart of Fair City, with storylines reflecting the values and mores of community life across Ireland, making it hugely popular with viewers,” the sponsorship offer notice reads.

“Over the past 30-plus years Fair City has tackled many topical and sometimes controversial storylines previously unseen on Irish television. The storytelling is universal in nature yet specific to its location in north Dublin city, and stories are told in a way that can be tragic, witty and poignant. This is a drama that has broad appeal for all audiences.”

The deal includes a total of 48 sponsorship stings a week, once repeats are taken into account as well as “pre-roll” and “mid-roll” ads on the RTÉ Player.

Chill Insurance’s sponsorship of Fair City was identified by marketing group Core last year as having the third biggest reach of all Irish television sponsorships, behind the Avonmore brand’s sponsorship of RTÉ Weather and Renault’s sponsorship of the Late Late Show.

Supermarkets are restricted from sponsoring the soap, RTÉ said.

The programme already has a long-term arrangement with Spar owner BWG Foods. In 2011 the opening of a Spar in Carrigstown, the fictional suburb in the show, became RTÉ’s first high-profile product placement deal following a relaxation of broadcasting regulations.

Laura Slattery

Laura Slattery

Laura Slattery is an Irish Times journalist writing about media, advertising and other business topics

UTV buoyed by record advertising income as profits soar

April 24th from Irish News:

 

The most popular television programme on UTV in 2021 was Oprah Winfrey’s bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan, which was watched by 531,000 people in Northern Ireland.

UTV has reported a 21 per cent increase in its revenues, buoyed by record advertising income following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The ITV-owned broadcaster also saw its retained profit soar almost four-fold from £1.1 million to £4.1 million.

The former Ulster Television, which now operates from Belfast Harbour’s City Quays 2 waterfront building, has filed accounts at Companies House for the 2021 calendar year.

During the period it generated total revenues of £28.9m compared to just shy of £24m the year before.

Some £27.3m of this was advertising revenue, while profit before tax was £6.6m against £1.9m in 2020.

UTV said the increase in revenue was largely driven by higher total advertising revenue (TAR).

They added: “2020 was significantly hit by the impacts of Covid-19 restrictions and uncertainty forcing companies to reduce or stop spending on advertising.

“But this picked up again in 2021 when restrictions were lifted, resulting in record TAR revenues.”

Among its operating expenses during the year, UTV spent £17.2m on programming and transmission.

Included in its wages and salaries of £4.8m are amounts relating to short-term contractors and freelancers of £l23,000 – up from £49,000 the year before.

According to Ofcom’s Media Nations report, UTV was the most popular source for news for people in Northern Ireland in 2021.

It said 47 per cent of people came to UTV for Northern Ireland news, compared to 38 per cent to BBC One

The top 10 most-watched TV programmes of the year in Northern Ireland included a UTV Live in January 2021, which was the most popular news programme and placed fifth overall on the list.

The most popular television programme on UTV in 2021 was Oprah Winfrey’s bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan, which was watched by 531,000 people in Northern Ireland.

The top 10 most-watched TV programmes in Northern Ireland in 2021 across all channels were:

  1. Oprah with Meghan and Harry
  2. Line of Duty
  3. Bloodlands
  4. I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
  5. UTV Live
  6. Prime Ministerial Statement
  7. BBC Newsline
  8. DIY SOS
  9. The Pembrokeshire Murders
  10. Euro 2020

 

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