-1- Marketing* Circulation: 3000 Sunday, 1 March 2015 Area of Clip: 32900mm² AVE: € 1,624.44 Page: 4 Page 1 of 2

CONSUMERS MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT ECONOMIC PROSPECTS Irish consumers are more positive about the economy than ever before, even exceeding the country’s upbeat mood at the height of the boom. As spring takes hold, the latest Consumer Market Monitor report by the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Marketing Institute shows the green shoots of recovery appear to have blossomed at last.

Based on quarterly data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the European Commission and other sources, the survey relies on a list of economic variables, such as income levels, taxes, interest and exchange rates, influence consumer confidence and behaviour. The study indicates consumer spending has helped economic growth for the first time since 2008.

The retail sales volume index is now back to where it was in 2005 and consumption is due to expand by 1.6 per cent this year. Consumer spending accounts for over 60 per cent of Ireland’s GNP. Mary Lambkin, professor of marketing at the Smurfit School of Business said retail sales have turned a corner and are back on a growth path, albeit off a very low base.

Car sales were up by 30 per cent in 2014. The trend appears to be continuing with 30,000 new cars sold in January, up 31 per cent on the same month last year. Household disposable income increased by three per cent as employment levels improved. Disposable incomes were up by one point and are expected to rise further this year as oil prices drop.

But Ireland is still ranked the third most expensive country for a night out, consumer network One Big Switch reports in cost comparisons across Europe. When the price of transport, dinner, drinks, a late night snack and a babysitter are taken into account, the average night out in Ireland comes to €112, compared to Luxembourg at €1 30.90 and Denmark at €116.96. TV3 is to launch its HD service on Sky and UPC in August in preparation for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in September. Group broadcasting director Niall Cogley said TV3 will show all 48 games live and exclusive. Keith Wood, Matt Williams, Peter Stringer, Shane Jennings, Hugo MacNeill and former England international flanker Neil Back will be on the panel.

BBC sports commentator Conor McNamara, Sky Sports' Stuart Barnes, Murray Kinsella and Liam Tolland will join Today FM’s Last Word presenter Matt Cooper and TV3’s Sinead Kissane on the TV3 team. RWC 2015 will be played in England over six weeks from September 18 to October 31. Thirteen venues in 10 cities will host the 48 games.

RTE has launched its Player International online TV service for overseas audiences with 500 hours of free and paid-for content. The new on-demand player is what they call a ‘freemium’ offering, allowing audiences to download the app for free and get 100 hours of free content, refreshed daily. Full content, free of advertising, is available for a monthly sub of €8.99.

SCREEN SCENE has been bought by US broadcasting services company NEP Group for an undisclosed sum. Co-founded by Jim Duggan and Alan Burns 30 years ago, Screen Scene has built up a strong reputation for producing commercials, with director Jake Walshe in charge. Its work on a long line of TV dramas include Game of Thrones, Ripper Street and Charlie.

LIBERTY INSURANCE has completed a review of its digital agencies. DDFH&B Group's RMG, run by Mark Millard, has replaced In the Company of Huskies for social media and search engine optimisation (SEO)tasks. Rothco will develop digital creative on top of its above the line remit. The review was handled by Heather Kennedy. On the PR front, UTV Ireland has hired PSG to handle consumer projects after a pitch with WHPR and Kennedy. -2- Marketing* Circulation: 3000 Sunday, 1 March 2015 Area of Clip: 32900mm² AVE: € 1,624.44 Page: 4 Page 2 of 2

AUGMENTED and virtual reality experts will gather in for the second annual Augmented Reality Marketing conference next month. The brainchild of DIT lecturer Alex Gibson, speakers include Amplified Robot chief executive Steve Danni, iTagged founder Keith Jordan and Betfair’s PR boss Barry Orr. ARM takes place in Croke Park on April 29.

YOUNG IRISH TO ROAR IN CANNES Two Irish teams will enter campaigns for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland in the Young Lions competition at the Cannes international creative festival in lune. Ogilvy’s Robert Cummins and Mickey Chan will submit a media entry called Oh, My MS War Cry. Laura Rice and Paddy O’Mahoney from The Social House will enter a cyber concept entitled Remove a Skill. Entrants, aged 28 and under, have three weeks to create the campaigns. Young Lions is a new initiative organised by the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI).