As 2016 winds to a close, members of staff at Cullen Communications pick out their highlights and happiest moments of the year gone by.
Winning Silver PRGN award for ‘Row A-Round Ireland’
We took on the ‘Row’ project as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, and put a huge amount of graft into spreading the word. By the time the boat returned to its home port, more than €110,000 had been raised for Cystic Fibrosis – mission accomplished. Winning Silver at the 2016 PRGN Awards in Lisbon (up against some amazing projects) was the cherry on the cake. – Owen
Launching the new Equifax HQ in downtown Dublin
We already work with several multinationals so we’re well used to providing local knowledge for overseas clients setting up in Ireland. Here, we ensured the launch of Equifax’s new IT centre in Dublin got off to a flying start with substantial media coverage – all of it bang on-message – and a very happy new client. – Dawn
Fiesta time! Celebrating Ford’s big birthday
One of Ireland’s all-time favourite cars, the Ford Fiesta celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016, and we did our bit to mark the milestone in style. We organised a cavalcade of 40 vintage models and threw an exclusive party for Fiesta fanatics, with none other than Ben Collins (the Stig from BBC’s Top Gear – see main pic) on hand to perform a few tricks. – Pearse
Working with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to tackle motor insurance costs
Anyone who renewed their car insurance in 2016 likely got a nasty shock as the cost of cover continues to rocket. We got Enterprise in front of key Government Ministers and officials, published a high-profile opinion piece in the Irish Times, and saw the client’s key recommendation – an EU benchmark for injuries – included in the official report published in November. – David
Cullen-trained Paulank Brockagh shining at Rio Olympics
Quite possibly the best horse ever to emerge from the renowned Cullen stables in Wicklow, Paulank Brockagh followed up her stunning 2014 win at Badminton with an assured performance for Sam Griffiths representing Team Australia this summer. Little-known fact – Paulank Brockagh was once sponsored by Cullen Communications! – Frank
Teaming up with PRGN partners Xenophon Strategies in Dublin
There’s nothing we enjoy more than collaborating with our PRGN friends, so we jumped at the chance to work with Xenophon Strategies whose client Airlink was attending the annual IATA conference in Dublin. Our brief was to manage interviews with the aviation execs and package the video content for distribution by Xenophon in the US. – Owen
Conor McGregor proving he’s more than just a PR machine
Say what you will about the relentless avalanche of publicity surrounding the PR machine that is Conor McGregor, dogged by suggestions that he’s better at talking than fighting, the Dubliner finally silenced his critics. For now at least.in November with a devastating win over Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC’s first ever dual-weight champ. – Aoife
Listening to Michael O’Leary’s views on Brexit at 7am
How do you get 600 people into a room at 7am on a cold, wet November morning? Have Michael O’Leary as your guest speaker! The colourful Ryanair boss stole the show at the recent ‘Business in the Midlands’ conference which we organised with Robert Troy TD, enthralling the early morning audience with his views on business and Brexit. – Aideen
Cooking up a storm at the Cullen Christmas party
As a tight-knit PR agency, we love a spot of teamwork so there was delight all round when this year’s Christmas party was revealed to be a hands-on cookery course in beautiful Howth Castle. Sleeves were rolled up, bottles were uncorked, and much hilarity ensued. There were probably too many cooks but the broth was not spoiled! – Susan
Ireland beating the All Blacks – after 111 years of trying
As rugby fanatics, we’ve endured many dark days watching Ireland trying – failing – to overcome New Zealand. It was the single blot on the Irish rugby copybook, that is until 5 November 2016 when we finally beat the Kiwis at the legendary Soldier Field stadium in Chicago. In five tries and a single stroke, 111 years of hurt were finally banished. – Owen
Thanks to all our clients, staff, partners, suppliers and anyone else who contributed to a successful 2016 – have a great Christmas and see you next year!
