A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Irish firms now seeing potential of innovation, survey shows

Companies both sides of the Border are beginning to recognise the potential of embracing innovation, new research suggests, writes Caroline Madden. The latest All-Island Business Monitor survey conducted by InterTrade Ireland says that more than half of all respondent companies have already introduced, or plan to introduce, new or significantly improved products. A further 15 per cent intend to implement new marketing or branding in the next 12 months.

A quarter of respondents are already using marketing techniques such as promoting their business through social networking media, while 5 per cent have introduced iPhone apps.

Kerry to buy out Newmarket Co-op

A majority of shareholders in Newmarket Co-operative Creameries has agreed to accept Kerry Group's offer of €421 a share to buy out their business.

The Kerry Group said yesterday it had received valid acceptances representing 82.49 per cent of the issued share capital at the closing of the offer last Friday.

The co-operative is a leading manufacturer of cheese.

Head of Nokia's smartphone quits

The head of Nokia's smartphone division resigned yesterday, becoming the first casualty of the change at the top of the company.

Anssi Vanjoki will stay in his job for now and has a six-month notice period, the company said in a statement today.

Nokia last week appointed Microsoft's business division president, Stephen Elop, to take over from Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo as chief executive officer. – (Bloomberg)