IT’S ALL ABOUT GRASSROOTS
FROM a standing start in early 2013, the IRD Duhallow Business Awards have developed into a staple part of the local business calendar and The Corkman is proud to be a part of that journey. That was the view of Group Editor of The Corkman and The Kerryman, Kevin Hughes.
In addition to assisting with the judging process, thanks to our Advertising and Marketing Manager Siobhan Murphy, the role of The Corkman is to provide exclusive coverage of the event, from application through to final selection. But what does that mean?
“Over the past five years the supplements ahead of the event have typically numbered between 20 and 24 pages. In addition to eight pages post coverage, over five years that amounts to 150 pages – that’s two weekly papers worth of coverage devoted solely to these awards. Each page telling an inspirational story of hope, entrepreneurship, effort, innovation and success,” Mr Hughes said.
“But that’s not factoring in the many column inches of day to day reporting that will have featured many of your businesses here tonight – either when you started up, when you expanded or stepped onto exciting new paths. These were all newsworthy progressions and many were reported in The Corkman - if they weren’t then remember, our news desk is always open and on the look out for a good story,” said Mr Hughes.
Apart from The Corkman’s own online spread – which reaches far beyond the borders of Duhallow – The Corkman also provides electronic product specific to each business involved in the awards. These, in turn, find their way into each businesses’ own social media network, as well as that of IRD Duhallow.
The eventual reach is impossible to calculate. Looking back to The Corkman’s first supplement, in 2013, it so happened that the very first business listed in the index was a start-up, ‘Alu Cat’, which impressively went on to win the inaugural event.
“Founders Daniel O’Leary and Daniel O’Keeffe certainly weren’t fazed by the recession when they first set up - indeed, in hindsight, their recycling business was ideally suited for it as the raw materials were so readily available,” said Kevin.
He pointed out that innovation was rewarded again in 2014 when Gordon and Breeda O’Keeffe from K&L Deliveries Millstreet collected the award. They started out with two vehicles in 1986 and by 2014 had 35.
The following year it was Banteer Community Childcare, much more than just a crèche but a community centre with over 200 children and a social aspect for parents. Meanwhile, the 2015 winners, Ayrton Group, continues, right up to this day, to grow impressively in strength – another home made Duhallow start-up.
“And it’s all documented on the pages of your local newspaper. It’s all about grass roots. IRD Duhallow is a champion of grass-roots innovation. And at The Corkman we, too, pride ourselves on a grass-roots approach and in printing such, local newspapers are an ideal marketing vehicle for business,” he said.