George Storms the Catwalk at Belfast Fashionweek!

We love it when a plan comes together..especially when it involves gorgeous clothes, models and the opening night of West Coast Cooler Belfast Fashionweek. Having worked with George at Asda over the past three seasons of Fashionweek - we took our partnership to a whole new level this year, helping the team put together its first standalone show.

It was a real privilege to work with the George House and Asda House team, as well as the event organisers at CMPR, on this project -  and we loved sharing in the passion and excitement (as well as the many weeks of planning, hard work and perspiration) that went in to making the show come to life.

During the pre-show build up we had the chance to meet with three of George's most influential and inspiring colleagues - Helen Low,  Helen Connolly and Jo Whitfield - and had the pleasure of introducing the ladies to some of Belfast's leading fashion journalists and bloggers.

Braving the arctic conditions on Thursday night, we made it to the gorgeous Ulster Museum for the main event. It was fantastic to take in the eager faces of fashionistas and bloggers in the audience, and hear the excited murmurs from the crowd as the models showcased the best of George's Spring Summer and High Summer looks. It might have been cold outside... but it was definitely hot on the George catwalk!!

George Spring Summer 2013

George Spring Summer 2013

George Spring Summer 2013

Seona and Kelly from Morrows 

Are you the full Irish?

Long-standing Morrow’s client, Irwin’s Bakery and top Irish Chef, Paul Rankin are encouraging the public to join in a unique St Patrick’s Day fundraiser by downloading a new app, which asks users a series of quirky questions to work out their percentage Irishness or their “Paddy Proof.”

The Paddy Proof campaign, created by Morrow Communications, capitalises on the GB public’s desire to get involved in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and to become – even just a little bit – Irish for the day. The app leads a wider GB focused campaign promoting the Irwin's Rankin Selection range of Irish breads and aims to give Rankin Selection “ownership” of the interaction non-Irish people have with St. Patrick’s Day.

Paddy Proof is a light-hearted, fun app and for every free UK app store download, Irwin’s Bakery will make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support - so it’s all in aid of a very good cause. The app can also be played on Facebook and is expected to go massively viral as St Patrick’s day approaches and the Gaelic Diaspora clamours to declare their Irishness!

To download the app from the app store or play on Facebook

 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Morrows Events Team on top of their game at Croke Park.

Morrows event team successfully delivered InterTradeIreland’s Venture Capital Conference entitled “securing investment in 2013” at Croke Park in Dublin.  Now in its 12th year the event is the only venture capital conference in Ireland and is designed to facilitate networking between Ireland’s leading venture capitalists, business angels and start up companies seeking funding.

Over 300 delegates from across Ireland attended the conference which was hosted by former RTÉ presenter and Storyful founder Mark Little and formally opened by Minister Seán Sherlock TD. Speakers also included Paul Adams, Global Head of Brand Design at Facebook (pictured), Johnny Walker, founder of Global Diagnostics and Thomas Davis, Head of Investment at Seedrs. Delegates also heard from active venture fund panellists and the experience of companies that have been through the angel funding process.

Awarding Excellence - Morrow Events win contract with CIM

Morrow Events Team

Morrow Events team have recently secured a contract with The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) to manage and deliver the Ireland Marketing Excellence Awards for the next three years.

Our work will include revitalising the awards programme, recruiting entries from companies across Ireland, securing sponsorship and delivering a world class gala awards event later this year.

We are very excited and honoured to be working in partnership with CIM to deliver this prestigious and well respected awards programme. We are currently in the initial planning stages - so watch this space about how to get involved!

Next week, CIM are hosting a seminar in partnership with CIPR on Tuesday 19th February in Titanic Belfast at 12noon - Business Change in a Digital Age - with keynote speakers Múirne Laffan, RTE's Managing Director for digital and Krishna De, an award winning communications strategist, commentator and mentor.

Places are still available to book (from £10 - £20) and is a CPD category 10 event. Find out More. 

'Bowled Over' by CIPR Chairman's Award

Congratulations to our fabulous colleague - Kelly McKee who picked up the CIPR Chair's Award for 2012 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the industry and to the NI CIPR Committee.

Speaking at the recent AGM, the words of outgoing Chair Gillian Shields says it all - "Kelly is without doubt one of the most talented young PR professionals I have had the pleasure and privilege to work with. She has been a huge support to me in organising and promoting all of this years events, both in securing sponsorship and in supporting the management of these events.

Her attitude, understanding and passion for the industry is unquestionable and their willingness to throw all that they have at any challenge has unaltered throughout the year."

This comes as no surprise to the rest of us who work with Kelly every day and the award is well deserved. We are all just wondering what she is going to do with the massive crystal bowl - she tells us it only holds four bottles of wine ! 

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM SPRUCEFIELD CENTRE LIMITED AND JOHN LEWIS

Below is the full statement from Sprucefield Centre Ltd and John Lewis following their decision to withdraw the planning application for a John Lewis department store and new shops at Sprucefield, Northern Ireland.

Friday 1st February 2013

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM SPRUCEFIELD CENTRE LIMITED AND JOHN LEWIS

The Sprucefield Centre Limited (comprising Westfield and Snoddens Construction) and John Lewis can confirm that they have taken the decision to withdraw the planning application for a John Lewis department store and new shops at Sprucefield.

This decision follows the Minister for the Environment’s recent announcement that he intends to change the current policy and now confine further development at Sprucefield to bulky goods only, therefore excluding the new John Lewis department store.

With the deadline looming to submit evidence to the Planning Appeals Commission, The Sprucefield Centre Limited and John Lewis have been forced to accept that the uncertainty over BMAP planning policy means they cannot proceed to Inquiry at this time.

The Sprucefield Centre Limited, together with John Lewis, was committed to invest over £150 million into Northern Ireland and create over 1,500 retail jobs. Additionally, John Lewis would have opened a distribution facility in Northern Ireland resulting in further investment and jobs.

Over the last nine years John Lewis has clearly and consistently stated that, having reviewed all available options, Sprucefield is the only suitable location to develop a new full line department store in Northern Ireland.

The Sprucefield Centre Limited and John Lewis will review their position once the Executive has considered the BMAP policy and there is clarity on the role of Sprucefield as a regional shopping centre in Northern Ireland. John Lewis has reiterated its continued interest in opening a new department store at Sprucefield.
-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Westfield
Jacqueline Scott
PR and Corporate Affairs Manager Westfield UK/EU
E: jacqueline.scott@westfield-uk.com
T: +44 (0) 207 061 1536 / + 44 (0) 7760 316 636

John Lewis Partners
Kieran Donnelly
Morrow Communications
E: k.donnelly@morrowcommunications.com

Morrows 'Digest' Latest Food Costs Report

 With 9 out of 10 consumers indicating that the rising cost of their grocery shopping is a cause of major concern, it’s vital that the local agri-food and retail sectors are fully up to speed with the latest research from the Consumer Council for NI.

Representing our clients from across these sectors, Claire Bonner battled the snow and ice at Stormont to attend the launch of the Consumer Council’s ‘Hard to Stomach’ report which investigates the real impact of rising food costs on local people.

The report’s findings are hard to ignore, with 82% of consumers claiming food price increases have dramatically changed the way they shop, cook and eat.  Recommendations include clarity around pricing policies and promotion, discounting of healthier options and better engagement overall. There’s no doubt the ‘Hard to Stomach’ report (www.consumercouncil.org.uk/publications) is a useful barometer for those involved in the production, processing and retailing of foods today.

Helping to make Belfast a Brighter Place!

The Morrows events team recently delivered the Brighter Belfast Environmental Awards and Belfast in Bloom Awards on behalf of Belfast City Council in a glittering gala ceremony for 120 guests.

Now in their sixth year, the environmental awards reward those who are working to improve their local environment and contribute to creating a brighter, cleaner and greener city whilst Belfast in Bloom recognises local residents and community groups who help to improve the visual appearance of our city.

In total 18 awards were presented including Best Hanging Basket, Best Window Box Display, Best Community Group and the prestigious Isobel Bennet Memorial Award as well as Litter Heroes, Business and the Community Together and Education for Change Award.

Local comedian William Caulfield hosted the event within City Hall and entertainment was provided by Swingabella, a 1940s trio performing Andrews Sisters tunes who had the audience on their feet! A fantastic evening that brightened up a cold, wet January evening! 

Previous 'Propellers' Explain the benefits of the Invest NI Propel Programme

We have just completed a short video to showcase the benefits of the Invest Northern Ireland Propel Programme and hear directly from a number of previous participants on why they would recommend it to would be entrepreneurs with innovative ideas that have export potential. The deadline for applications for the 2013 intake is 22nd January and you can find out more at www.propelprogramme.com