Heineken has put its consumer PR account out to pitch. The account has been held for some time by Murray Consultants, who will continue to handle the brewer’s corporate work.
It is understood that Murrays will pitch to retain the work, with Heneghan PR, which handles Beamish stout, and O’Leary PR, which looks after other Heineken brands, also likely to throw their hats in the ring.
There should be no shortage of interest given the lean pickings to be had at present and the fact that Heineken is the biggest-selling lager in the State, and that the activity will include the European Rugby Cup.
DanEnnis, Merrion Capital's head of corporate finance, has decided to leave the stockbroker and set up on his own.
It is understood that Ennis did not invest in the recent transaction by Merrion’s senior executives to buy back the business from Landsbanki, the distressed Icelandic financial institution.
JohnNagle's non-compete clause with Payzone expired last week, leaving the businessman free to look at making a move to regain control of the business.
Payzone is currently seeking to refinance its €276 million debt and is in discussions with its banks with a view to them swapping some debt for equity.
This would dilute existing shareholders and Nagle, who was sacked by Payzone almost 12 months ago, is looking at putting together an alternative proposal.
Rival Paypoint is also thought be circling the struggling Dublin-based business.
Amidall the financial doom and gloom there was some St Patrick's Day cheer for former Anglo Irish Bank executive Tiarnan O'Mahoney, whose Kilmacud Crokes captured the All Ireland club football title at Croke Park.
O’Mahoney, who heads the revived financial group Collins Stewart ISTC and is also chairman of the Pensions Board, was seen galloping down the steps from the VIP section after the trophy had been presented to Crokes’ captain Johnny Magee to congratulate the Stillorgan-based lads.
Eircomhas been casting around for 30 staff volunteers to appear in a series of soccer sponsorship advertisements that are to air on RTÉ television on March 28th, the date of our crucial home World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria.
“So pull out your Republic of Ireland jerseys and scarves and sign up for the chance to shine on the big screen now!” the company urged workers in a recent notice.
There is, however, a sting in the tail – you have to take a day’s leave for filming, which was due to take place yesterday.
Staff have also been asked to “volunteer” for pay cuts of either 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
Latestaccounts for Cable Wireless's fixed-line telecoms business in Ireland paint a bleak picture. Energis Communications (Ireland) Ltd made an operating loss of €10.8 million in the year to the end of March 2008, compared with just more than €1 million a year earlier.
Turnover was flat at €19.3 million while its after-tax loss for the year, which was softened by healthy interest income, was €3.3 million, a 26 per cent rise on a year earlier. Remarkably, the company employed just five staff last year.
