Want the Photo Desk Editor to Like You?

An interesting interview courtesy of Conor Healy Photography with Pictures Editor, Gareth Morgan Pictures Editor of The Irish Independent. Gareth explains how to work with Photo Editors and ensure the best approach when pitching PR photos.

Image courtesy of Conor Healy Photography

CHP: What is your readership level of the Independent online and on the street?

Gareth: The Irish Independent has 539,000 readers daily while the website Independent.ie has 2,400,000 unique users per month.

CHP: What is the breakdown in sales between the compact version of the Independent and the broadsheet version?

Gareth : The compact / broadsheet breakdown is 50/50.


CHP:What is the Independent age readership bracket?

Gareth: The age group breakdown is as follows;

15-24: 44,000

25-34: 88,000

35-44: 100,000

45-54: 108,000

55-64: 94,000

65+: 104,000

Source: JNRS 2010



CHP: Do PR stories appear online as well as in the paper?

Gareth: I would argue that "PR stories" do not appear in the paper. Instead we're always looking for a real news story, or at least an interesting angle from a celebrity or consumer perspective. But yes, most stories that appear in the paper do also appear online.


CHP:What makes the Independent different to the Times and the Examiner newspapers?

Gareth: The Irish Independent has great reach. It has the biggest circulation of all the newspapers in Ireland, it has a strong geographic spread and it is read by a wide range of ages and social groups.


CHP:What makes a really good PR photograph?

Gareth: A good PR photograph doesn't look like it's selling a product. It is a photograph that looks great on a page - where the product might only be a subtle factor. Otherwise it ends up looking like an ad, which we won't use.

CHP: Describe your working day.

Gareth: The morning is spent reacting to breaking news, the afternoon mostly spent monitoring the pictures that have been filed and also planning the following day's paper. The evening is mostly devoted to diary - ie forward planning. I don't really get the chance to plan the following day's coverage until after 5pm.

CHP: When is the ideal time to get images in from a PR photographer?

Gareth: Any time before 3pm is fine. We can take pictures much later - but we must know that they're coming and what time to expect them, with solid contact information provided in case there's a problem late in the day.

CHP: Do you think the PR photograph will continue to be as popular in 2011 as it was in 2010?

Gareth: There's no reason why PR photography should get any weaker, but I think clients need to realise the importance of getting photographers onboard. Too many companies seem to rely on us to send our own photographers these days. Often this is not possible due to breaking news... and the event goes uncovered.

CHP:How many images do you view in a day?

Gareth: More than 2,000

CHP: Are some days better to issue a photocall to the newspaper?

Gareth: For some reason Tuesdays and Wednesdays are very busy, and Mondays/Fridays are very quiet - as if the PR industry is enjoying an extended weekend. There is definitely scope for doing more stuff on Mondays and Fridays, it would spread the load a bit from our perspective.

CHP: Is photocall location a factor for you?

Gareth: It certainly is. Some locations are getting boring (St Stephen's Green....) while we got some recent pictures from the Kerry coast which were stunning. It does make a difference.

CHP: Do you have any other thoughts on the photocall?

Gareth: Too much flesh on show, too many logos, and too much general cheesiness is always a bad thing.

CHP: Do images with ***NO REPRO FEE** attached to them have a better chance of making it in the newspaper?

Gareth: We judge pictures on merit, but it does help to know which ones are free, of course!

CHP: Is there something a PR company can do, to make things easier for you?

Gareth: Make sure the event that they're promoting is covered with a professional photographer who is experienced at filing for national newspapers. Make sure that when they send us the photocall notice, it includes details of who is taking the pictures. No need to ring us dozens of times to ask if we are going to use the pictures. Often decisions on what we will or will not use are not set in stone until about 9pm at night anyway. We will ring you if we need any more info.

Remember, logos or too much product placement really spoil pictures for us.

For more from Conor Healy Photography.

CHphotography was established in 2002 by award winning photographer Conor Healy. Having graduated from Nottingham Trent University, Conor has worked for Fennell Photography, MacInnes Photography and Eye.con Photography as well as having spent a year assisting advertising and fashion photographer Tony Higgins.

Learn the Art of The Perfect Dinner Party - Cooking Class

Learn the art of hosting, cooking and presenting the perfect Dinner Party for friends this Saturday in Sligo’s newest Restaurant, Wine Bar and Cookery School. From the Won’t Cook Can’t Cook to the domestic goddesses, grab your ally and head to Sligo.

The Dinner Party In A Day class runs through all aspects of hosting the perfect dinner party from start to finish with ideas on setting the tone with table and floral displays and tips on how to choose wines to compliment the dishes you are serving.
Enjoy your end result by sitting back and taking in the stunning views over Sligo town and the tabletop mountain Benbulben.

Source Sligo also run special private classes for groups of 12 or more and these can be tailor-made to suit any group from hen parties who would like to cook Mexican to groups who would like to learn about cooking special meals i.e. for diabetics or those with special needs.

Dinner Party in a Day cost €65. Booking is essential and as each class has limited numbers early booking is recommended. Special Source Sligo overnight rates available in local hotels please ask for more details. For more information call 071 9147605 or see www.SourceSligo.ie

OFFER EXTENDED UNTIL 1PM TODAY: get 2for1 on Dinner Party In A Day Class just email Vanessa - info@sourcesligo.ie and quote 'TTG PR' remember only valid until 1pm TODAY. Places are limited.

Cava Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar in Galway Hosts Regional Euro-toques Lunch



JP McMahon Cava Spanish Restaurant



Next Monday sees Cava Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar host the Euro-toques Regional Lunch.

The lunch is the inaugural Euro-toques event hosted by Jp McMahon, Cava Head Chef and Owner, and celebrates their recent membership to this European community of cooks.

The lunch will be attended by prominent chefs from around the country as well as local producers who feature everyday on the Cava menu.

If you fancy lunch in Cava next time you’re in town, take a look at their menu here Lunch Menu




Euro Toques Ireland



New Irish Website Offers Anonymous Reporting For Whistle Blowers

 

Ethicspro is a recently launched website which facilitates reporting by company personnel into inappropriate behaviours or actions of others within an affiliated organisation. While predominantly aimed at improving internal governance in organisations, the company works with business in promoting best practice and sound business reputation.

A unique feature of the venture is that it allows for anonymous whistle-blowing while outwardly demonstrating best practice policy and procedure in an organisation. It serves to manage a company's governance and ethical standards in a strictly confidential manner.

 

On sign-up a company is given unique login which is then communicated to employees, often through an organisation's specific "ethical reporting at work policy" or through HR documents and contracts. On logging an incident the 'reporter' can track progress of the report by a unique case number assigned and known to them only. As the service prioritises confidentiality and discretion, neither names or emails address are required by the reporter. The reported incident is then sent securely by EthicsPro to the Company's management who then decide how to proceed or follow up.

Graham Burke is managing director of Ethicspro, and is principal of Burke & Associates, a firm of registered auditors, and also a leading forensic accounting firm in with offices in Galway & Longford. Burke explains "With many businesses availing of forensic accounting services I saw the need for a forum whereby people could report professional unethical matters without the fear of intimidation or penalty. Many companies do not take account of the HR or legal matters which can potentially arise in a situation where there has been a fraud against a company, albeit that the fraud is perceived beyond a reasonable doubt".

In its first year of business Ethicspro hopes to build a strong foundation of both national and international clients who value the benefits of using internal resources to build transparency throughout an organisation. The fundamental concept of Ethicspro is to maintain awareness in organisations, that wastage, fraud bribery or corruption all have an impact on business both financially, and by damage to reputation setting the "tone at the top" and delivering that throughout an organisation can be a challenge in itself. Over 40% of frauds are detected by "tip off" and Ethicspro's future plans are to be that watchful eye, becoming reliant on the ethics of individuals to report internally, and perhaps save their company thousands in the process.
 More information http://www.ethicspro.ie/

Flippin' Pancakes in Sligo

For anyone who missed the RTE Six One News last Tuesday evening, check this clip out below to see the flipping fun in Source Cookery School Sligo

If pancakes are out of your cooking repertoire check out the cooking classes coming up this month on http://www.sourcesligo.com/

A PR Launch Using Female Breast Milk

An ice cream manufacturer using Breast Milk as an ingredient for a PR stunt.

Gimmicky or ingenious? What do you think?
At first we thought is was  a good talking point that generated alot of ink both here and over the pond  but defeated the purpose by turning us off their ice cream.


However, that was until we saw the name of company 'Icecreamists' and realised their niche is extreme ice cream. Brilliant!
They named it Baby GaGa and now Team Lady Gaga is looking to sue - Brilliant-er

See News Clip From BBC London Here

Thanks to Brand Ireland for story lead

Read Review of Cava in Weekend Magazine, 19 Feb

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Weekend Magazine
19 Feb 2011













Well done all in Cava Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar!

Look Who's Talking Now!

Top 3 PR Tips for New Leader

Brian Cowen proudly declared he did not have a communications advisor. Instead, he rarely gave interviews, when he did speak it was often at ill-judged times, spoke incoherently and used phrases and political jargon that did not resonant with the general public. Communication was not his strong point and he choose to do it as little as possible.

1. Communicate Regularly. Golden Rule Number 1, that means the good, the bad and the ugly. Hold, at least, quarterly State Of The Nation press conferences where the public are informed of progress, or lack of, reasons and solutions. When there's a crisis or a developing situation address the public. If there is no absolute solution or strategies are being assessed, then tell them that.People trust people that are open and honest. No one has all the answers but everyone hates to feel ignored.

2. Who Are You Talking To? Be mindful of who you are talking to when being interviewed. While speaking to media you are speaking to the nation. We DO NOT want to hear opposition bashing, we DO NOT want to hear childish blaming or self indulgent back-patting. That's boring and irrelevant to us. We want to hear clear and simple answers and concrete reasons for decisions.

3. Keep Your Dignity and Respect the People. Keep a personal sense of dignity and act morally. If you do screw up, which invariably you will, have an Action Plan in place, address the situation immediately, be upfront, apologise and move on. DON'T look for weak excuses, DON'T lie, DON'T blame game (see Point 2) and DON'T ignore (see Point 1). People respect this.

Most business owners would know these basic rules of communication and basic emotional intelligence. Rules apply to addressing share holders, staff and clients.

Source Sligo Restaurant, Wine Bar and Cookery School - A Must Visit!

Source Sligo has recently opened on John Street, Sligo with instant praise from food lovers, wine buffs and cooking enthusiasts.

A three storey building in the heart of Sligo Town tastefully houses a large open- plan Restaurant on the Ground Floor, a subtle and relaxed wine bar on the First Floor and a state-of- the- art Cookery School on the Top Floor.


Each floor adheres to the Source philosophy of producing locally sourced quality food in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Indeed the interior reflects this ethos by combining elegance with a home-grown retro feel. Owners and operators Ray and Eileen Monahan believe that the concept of developing a Restaurant and Cookery School is also a testament to the quality of produce available in the Sligo area and promoting this produce is something that they are passionate about.

The Cookery School runs classes for fun, for knowledge and for education from the, “Can’t cook and won’t cook to those who are passionate about baking or those who may constitute the dinner party brigade. Eithne O’Sullivan the Cookery School Manager explains “the Come Dine with Me evenings are proving very popular as are the family-focused classes like One Pot Meals. We also run special private classes for groups of 12 or more and these can be tailor-made to suit any group from “Hens who would like to cook Mexican” to groups who would like to learn about cooking special meals i.e. for diabetics or those with special needs

Head Chef at the Restaurant, Gerard Reidy, is originally from Kerry and is renowned for his love of Irish food. He has spent many years cooking internationally and representing Ireland cooking for notable politicians and officials. His passion for good wholesome food is evident from the delectable menus and specials on offer each day.

After a day of eating, cooking and chatting, there’s only one last thing to try, the exclusive wine collection. Relax in the Wine Bar upstairs with background music provided by the in house pianist. Mull over the wine list which includes a range of 12 different wines from the owners vineyards in France. Then sit back and enjoy the views over Sligo town towards the tabletop mountain Benbulben.

Cooking Classes can be booked individually or as part of a course.

For more information call 071 9147605 or see www.SourceSligo.ie

The PR Source for Source Sligo

Those Two Girls PR are delighted to have be choosen as the PR company to work with and represent Source Sligo.

Source Sligo is an exciting new concept located in the heart of Sligo Town. A three-storey building lovingly decorated with vintage scananavian furniture an large images of local suppliers it consists of a ground floor Restaurant, a Wine Bar on the first floor and, with panoramic views, the cookery school on top.

The ethos at Source is to produce quality food using locally sourced produce. We can personally testify that this ethos is serving up yummy foods, the Pear and Gorgonzola salad with red wine vingarette is to die for. Yum, surprising Sligo indeed!

Watch this space for exciting info from Source Sligo. Website coming soon.