Research carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of the National Consumer Agency shows that over half of grocery shoppers are now making their decision on where to shop based on price.

The research showed that 56% of grocery shoppers are shopping in a particular store based on price. A survey carried out earlier this year by the NCA showed that only 31% were influenced by price.

Convenience is no longer the primary reason for choosing a particular grocery store, with only 43% of respondents citing it as the most important reason, compared with 61% in the previous survey.

Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency, said: “Historically, research has showed convenience as the number one driver of grocery retailer choice. However, this is now changing and over half of grocery shoppers are making their decision based on price.

“This is up from just under a third as shown in our previous survey.

“We asked consumers what is the single biggest concern they face at the moment and almost three quarters (74%) stated that it is rising costs and the cost of living. This is borne out in the research, as consumers are continuing to look for better value.”

Over a third (37%) of those responsible for grocery shopping have changed their habits since the beginning of the year.

Of those responsible for their household’s main grocery shop, and who have changed their shopping habits, three out of 10 (31%) are spreading their grocery shopping over different supermarkets. In addition, 36% of grocery shoppers revealed that they are now buying own-brand goods.

Ann Fitzgerald noted: “Overall, the findings of the survey are showing a significant shift in consumer attitude.

“More people are changing their shopping habits, spreading their grocery shopping and switching to own brand products.

“The research shows that consumers are making real savings from changing their grocery shopping habits, in some cases over €30 a week. Our grocery price survey last week showed that there is considerably more competition in the own brand market and that real savings can be made by splitting the shopping basket.”

Other findings include:

• Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Supervalu are the most popular supermarkets
• Parking (17%) and late night opening (12%) are also reasons consumers chose particular shops
• Of those responsible for their household’s main grocery shop, and who have changed their shopping habits, 31% are cutting back on treats for the family; 30% are taking more advantage of special offers and promotions etc

http://www.ponybox.co.uk/

Gang Gang Dance are a culmination of vast influences and genres taking d’n'b, rap, italo, pop, classical, oriental, techno and dubstep and spitting them out in in a fusion of warped, underground, electo-clash industrial sounds and two-step, melodies that make ‘The Knife’ sound like mainstream pop.  Their new album ‘St. Dymphna’ (-the patron saint of outsiders) which was released on 20th October pushes the guild on the all too familiar formulaic structure that many dance music artists athere to, and encapsulates what can be achieved by exercising true thought and imagination.  ‘House Jam’ is the stand out single for me, where the lead vocalists voice floats beautifully over a landscape of transcontinental sounds taking you on a journey encapsulating traditional cultural tribal rythms and contemporary electronic synths and stabs.  Comparable to Bjork, Kate Bush and The Knife, Gang Gang Dance will always undercut the attention of the mainstream masses but are sure to bring much reward to the ears of the discerned listener.  Enjoy.

Sony c902

I think I love this phone already… 5 MegaPixel camera on a Sony phone. Mega….
Although I must admit that I am being heavily swayed by its’ association with James Bond.  I’m not one who is usually influenced by endorsements or product placements and I can gennerally see the trees from the wood, but the connection between Sony and James Bond is really making me want this phone!  I’ve read good and bad reviews about it, and to be honest there seems to be better phones on the market.  The Nokia N96, Samsung Pixon and the iPhone are serious competitors but they don’t seem to have the same sort of ‘class’ as the C902.  I’ve never used or even seen the phone in real life so I know that im basing my opinion purely on the image Sony have generated for this phone.  In this case Sony have hit their market (i.e. me) square on the head.  Bang on… Now all I need is the cash…

Sony C902 - James Bond

At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo, raising money along the way to benefit men’s health – specifically prostate cancer.

Movember culminates at the end of the month at official Gala Partés, Mo-Office and Mo-Town parties where Tom Selleck and Borat look-a-likes battle it out for their chance to be the Man of Movember.

While growing a Mo is left to the guys, Mo Sistas (ladies who support their guys or just love Mo’s!) form an important part of Movember by recruiting Mo Bros, helping to raise funds and attending the highly anticipated Gala Partés.

But it’ s not all fun and games, so why the extreme behavior?

Which ever way we look at it, men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy for men is five years less than for women.

Creating Awareness.

Men lack awareness about the very real health issues they face. There is an attitude that they have to be tough – “a real man” – and are reluctant to see a doctor about an illness or go for regular medical checks.

Movember aims to change these attitudes and make men’s health fun by putting the Mo back on the face of fashion and in the process raise some serious funds for key men’s health issues, including:

Movember is proud to partner the Irish Cancer Society for the raising of funds and awareness of Prostate Cancer across Ireland.The money raised by Movember will be donated to Action Prostate Cancer – an initiative of the Irish Cancer Society. It will be used to educate men on risk factors for developing prostate cancer, provide information and support to men if they have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and highlight the need for men to be treated in specialist centers (major cancer treatment hospitals) where they will have access to best practice treatment and care provided by multidisciplinary teams.

The Movember Foundation is an Australian based, not for profit, charitable organisation that implements the Movember event each year across the globe.

The Movember event creates awareness around men’s health issues and raises funds for carefully selected beneficiary partners in each country that are also charitable organisations, with a focus on prostate cancer.

Since its inception as a formal charity in 2004 Movember has raised over $30 million (AUD) globally, significantly increasing awareness of prostate cancer in the community, and is continuously working to change the attitude men have about their health.

Movember’s beneficiary partner in Ireland is the Irish Cancer Society, which was founded in 1963. The Irish Cancer Society is dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer through patient care, research and education. All funds raised by Movember in Ireland stay in Ireland and go directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

“Sorry, do you want condoms with that?” – funny, original, to the point, and memorable.  I did laugh the first time I heard the phrase and I wouldnt be suprised if it was heard echoing down school corridors in the near future!  Though veering on toilet humour and certainly not adopting the most appropriate tone required, the ad effortlessly attracted my attention and encouraged me to google the ad for more information!

Overall the campaign seems to have very high penetration levels, and is integrated well across many media and platforms, including many ‘strategically placed’ posters which should encourage many point of sale purchases.

I wonder will their attempt on viral marketing work? Play the ‘Dodge the Sperm’ Game here and decide for yourself.  “Nobody else is gonna do the thinking for you. thinkcontraception.ie“

Quote of the week this week goes to Katherine Lynch on her show “WonderWomen”.  I loved the show this week! So much better than last years series with the inclusion of some great new characters and much more “balls”.  It looked like she was given the nod from RTE to go for it, and she really did.  No-one was safe from her ridicule, the characters stepped out of their shells and showed the true madness Katherine is capable of.  Here are the clips:

Also, not to be missed this week was Gerry Ryans debut performance as host of The Late Late Show.  I thought he did a remarkable job, even if he did lose the plot a bit with Tommy Tiernan.  He obviously loved the opportunity and enthuastically dived head first into the role.  Although at times veering on the borders of desperation, Gerry relentlessly pumped energy into the show, energy which it desperatly needs….

When I say “come up with” I mean burrow, from MTV, who improvised it from Coca-Cola, who im sure robbed it from someone else but who cares1? Thats what its all about!

Anyways enough with the boring analysis… Some of the MTV designs are truely inspiring….Click the links!

here are the links…!   MTVhats BodytonicBlobs Coke Side of Life

The Ad was inspired by subway istallation pieces by Joshua Allen Haris, in New York.

Here are some more examples of his amazing work.

And an interview with the man himself. Enjoy.

“If MySpace were a country, it would be the 8th Largest country in the world”

Marketers cannot ignore the power of the people, word of mouth communications, social networking sites, new web applications and the potential force of strategic online or viral compaigns.

We’ll begin, with a spin, travelling in a world of my creation. What we’ll see will defy explaination.

If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it, anything you want to do it.

Want to change the world there’s nothing to it.

There is no place i know to compare to pure imagination.

Living there you’ll be free… if you truely wish to be….

Come along and join me as I attampt to document the curve of my thoughts. 

There are no rules, there are no boundaries but there are always reasons.

Imagination will guide me, success will drive me, and there’ll always be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Life is but a dream or so it seems…. although in this world if you snooze you lose.

Welcome to my world.  A world full of potential and possibilities;  A world where paths are infinite and destinations are unknown; A world where anyone can reach fame and success through their fingertips.  

I intend to tap into this world, become part of this everchanging environment, where everyone is integrated, stories are related, and everybodies voice can be heard.  Thus is the function of this blog.