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The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), in partnership with the Open Doors Initiative (ODI) and Harris Public Relations, has announced that applications are open for the 2025 Public Relations Bursary.
This initiative, now in its second year, is part of the PRII's ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) in the communications sector.
The bursary offers a fully funded place on the PRII Diploma in Public Relations, along with a nine-month paid internship at Harris PR.
The internship includes professional mentorship, development planning, and all necessary equipment to support the recipient’s success.
The programme is designed to support individuals from backgrounds or communities that are under-represented in the public relations sector.
The selection process is managed with the guidance and expertise of the Open Doors Initiative, which works to create pathways to employment for marginalised groups through training, education, and entrepreneurship.
Dr Martina Byrne, CEO of PRII, said: “By partnering with Harris PR and ODI, we hope to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in public relations.
“With this bursary, the successful candidate will be supported through continued education, upskilling, and practical on-the-job learning, ensuring that they are set up for success for a fruitful and rewarding career in the public relations profession.”
She added: “We know from PRII research on the sector that it's not reflective of the diversity in our population.
“And we need to be, communications need to attract the best creative minds who have all kinds of lived experiences. That's how you solve problems.”
Applications are open now and will close on Monday, 7 July. Full eligibility criteria and application details can be found here.
Ciara Doherty to host daily Newstalk podcast
Newstalk is launching a new daily podcast hosted by former Tonight Show presenter Ciara Doherty.
Launching next Monday (23 June), Newstalk Daily will be published every Monday to Friday morning, each 20-minute episode focusing on a story that has captured the public imagination.
Doherty will be joined by guest contributors to analyse the story and dive into critical aspects, and the podcast is intended for listeners on the go or commuting to work.
Donegal native Doherty has worked as a reporter in television and radio and has presented both Ireland AM and The Tonight Show for Virgin Media Television.
“I am delighted to be joining Newstalk and am relishing the opportunity to launch a brand new offering, Newstalk Daily," she said.
"From Monday to Friday we’ll be bringing listeners the stories, from home and abroad, that shape our lives and our futures, the stories that intrigue and entertain us and those you don’t get to hear.
"Informal but no less informed, podcasts have forever changed the media landscape and I’m looking forward, with the team, to creating something that engages and illuminates."
Eric Moylan, managing editor of Newstalk, added: ”The show will bring the elements of our daily output that make us a hit with listeners – a focus on topics that they really care about, presented in a manner that really connects.
"We’ve got a talented presenter in Ciara Doherty who will deliver the compelling and thought-provoking content listeners expect from the station."
Moylan said Newstalk Daily is the first in a series of "appealing new projects" from Newstalk.
Cannon to head dmg media Ireland studio
dmg media Ireland has announced the appointment of Lisa Cannon as head of studio. In the role, she will head up dmg::studio, the company’s video, audio and studio production unit.
Based at the dmg media hub at Haddington Road in Dublin, dmg::studio is a full-service audio and video production operation. It provides creative solutions for dmg titles and their clients.
Cannon began her career in New York on HBO’s Sex and the City and contributed to major film productions, including King Arthur and the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary I Killed John Lennon.
She became a household name as the anchor of “Xposé,” interviewing A-list Hollywood stars and covering global red carpets on daily television for a decade.
Cannon created, executive produced, and hosted Box Office on Virgin Media for several years, and she has also presented Ireland AM, NBC's Extra, CBS's The Early Show and ITV's This Morning.
Cannon has hosted prestigious events, judged film awards, and contributed to RTÉ, Netflix, BBC, Hallmark, Channel 4 and Newstalk Radio.
“I am absolutely delighted to take on the role of Head of Studio at dmg media, where I’m eager to collaborate with the dynamic, creative talented team at dmg; crafting innovative, impactful visual content that resonates and connects with audiences in Ireland and beyond across all their platforms," Cannon said.
Eustace leaves AIB for Diageo
Harry Eustace has left his role with AIB to join drinks group Diageo Ireland as media manager. In his new role, Eustace will work under Diageo Ireland's head of planning, insights and media Linda Bradley.
Esutace started his career with Dentsu's Carat Ireland, where he spent four years, rising to the role of account director before moving to OMD Ireland as client director.
He left OMD after five years, the last 18 months spent as working effectiveness director.
Eustace moved client side last April, joining AIB as a brand manager and now jumps to Diageo following an "incredible year" with the bank.
"My time at AIB has come to an end and it has been an incredible year working with one of the largest brands in the country," Eustace wrote on LinkedIn.
"I am delighted to announce that I am joining Diageo, working on Linda Bradley’s team.
"Thanks so much for the opportunity. Looking forward to get cracking on with the amazing Diageo team."
WhatsApp rolls out advertising
WhatsApp has rolled out advertising for its messaging app, which has approximately 1.5bn daily active users.
Adverts will not be visible to users in their chats, but will be published in the Updates tab under the Status and Channels headings as they are rolled out globally over the coming months.
Status is similar to Instagram Stories in that brands can publish video clips that expire after 24 hours, and businesses will be able to promote products and services in Status from now on.
Users will also be able to subscribe to exclusive updates from their favourite Channels for a monthly fee, and businesses will be able to promote their Channels to users who might find them interesting.
"To show ads in Status or Channels you might care about, we'll use limited info like your country or city, language, the Channels you’re following, and how you interact with the ads you see," WhatsApp explained in a blog post.
WhatsApp has rolled out advertising for its messaging app, which has approximately 1.5bn daily active users.
Adverts will not be visible to users in their chats, but will be published in the Updates tab under the Status and Channels headings as they are rolled out globally over the coming months.
Status is similar to Instagram Stories in that brands can publish video clips that expire after 24 hours, and businesses will be able to promote products and services in Status from now on.
Users will also be able to subscribe to exclusive updates from their favourite Channels for a monthly fee, and businesses will be able to promote their Channels to users who might find them interesting.
"To show ads in Status or Channels you might care about, we'll use limited info like your country or city, language, the Channels you’re following, and how you interact with the ads you see," WhatsApp explained in a blog post.
"For people that have chosen to add WhatsApp to Accounts Center, we'll also use your ad preferences and info from across your Meta accounts."
WhatsApp counts 200m businesses among its 3bn monthly active users, and push comes two years after it was firs reported that parent company Meta was discussing how to introduce ads on the platform.
Meta reported better-than-expected results for its first quarter with revenues of $42.3bn and net income of $16.6bn.
Nearly $41.4bn or around 98% of Meta's quarterly revenue was derived from advertising, and rolling out adverts on WhatsApp is expected to increase its turnover further. The company has said Updates attracts 1.5bn users daily.
'Need more Zenergy' advert delivers a smart twist on a familiar problem
Every week, Amárach and Future Proof Insights share exclusive findings from their PRIZM+ ad testing service, showcasing best practice creative advertising in Ireland.
Bord Gáis Energy’s “Need More Zenergy?” ad cleverly repositions domestic chaos as a solvable problem, using humour and familiarity to frame unnecessary energy consumption at peak hours as a daft idea, using therapy sessions as a humorous lens to expose it.
The concept of a former relationship counsellor made redundant by energy harmony is both unexpected and effective.
This therapy format provides the perfect platform to dramatise the relatable, exaggerated scenes of household conflict.
Humour is cleverly applied as the delivery device for associative learning.
The ad turns energy usage into a social issue worth solving and uses humour to embed that message.
To read more on this advert, CLICK HERE.
Photo: (l-r) Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of Open Doors Initiative; Dr. Martina Byrne, CEO of the PRII; Carolina Lucca, Junior Account Executive at Harris PR and 2024-2025 Bursary candidate and Sonia Harris Pope, Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR.
