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The Irish entertainment & media (E&M) industry is set be worth €7.5bn by 2029, according to a new PwC report.

The industry, which is currently estimated to be worth €6.4bn, is expected to grow as internet advertising and video on demand continues to expand. Global revenues are forecast to reach €3trn in 2029, up from €2.5trn in 2024. 

Projected annual growth to 2029 in the Irish market (3.3% CAGR) is behind the global forecast of 3.7% CAGR, mostly due to the slower growth in the video gaming segment which is largely down to the decline of traditional gaming. 

"Advertising is emerging as the leading powerhouse of the Irish entertainment and media industry’s revenues – a transformation expected to continue as AI transforms delivery models, democratises content production, serves highly curated content experiences and reduces barriers to entry," said Amy Ball, partner in PwC Ireland's entertainment & media practice.

"The E&M industry has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, but companies will need to remain nimble and proactive to embrace the future and satisfy consumers in an ecosystem that rewards creativity and tailored content.” 

IMRO Radio Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year's IMRO Radio Awards has been announced following an unprecedented number of entries. The nominees can be seen below.

The awards are designed to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and stations to the Irish radio landscape.

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) organises the awards in conjunction with Coimisiún na Meán, the broadcasting regulator. The winners will be announced in a ceremony on October 3 at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny.

“We’re thrilled to reveal the shortlist for the 2025 IMRO Radio Awards, following an incredible judging process. This year saw a record number of entries, a testament to the strength, creativity, and passion within Irish radio," said Chris Doyle, chair of the IMRO Radio Awards.

"A huge thanks to everyone who made the effort to enter the awards.  The bar is continually raised in terms of quality, so heartiest congratulations to all those shortlisted."

The full list of nominees can be viewed here.

PRII names Wall as new CEO

The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) has appointed Laura Wall to replace Dr Martina Byrne as chief executive from September.

A long-standing PRII member and former vice president of the PRII National Council, Wall is widely recognised for her dynamic leadership and future-focused approach.

Wall has 16 years of agency experience in Ireland and the UK, and was recently named as one of dmg media Ireland's 40 Under 40 public relations professionals.

She joins PRII from THINKHOUSE where she served as group director on the PR and advocacy team for the past five-and-a-half years.

Her expertise in strategic leadership and innovation aligns with PRII’s mission to champion ethics, creativity, and sustainability in communications. 

“I am honoured and energised to step into the role of CEO at PRII. I look forward to working with our members, partners, Council and executive team to shape the future of communications in Ireland and beyond," said Wall of her appointment.

"At the heart of this will be delivering our five-year VISTA Strategy with real impact. My focus is on getting down to work; delivering for our members, fostering a culture of purpose and professional growth, and ensuring PRII continues to set the standard for our industry."

Peirse to replace Vandermeersch at Mediahuis

Sheena Peirse will become chief executive of Irish Independent publisher Mediahuis Ireland this October.

Peirse currently serves as the group's chief customer officer and will replace Peter Vandermeersch when she starts work on October 1.

She joined Mediahuis in 2019 as digital editorial director and has held senior roles with UK broadcasters ITV and Channel 4, where she helped to shape digital strategy and content initiatives.

In her current role, Peirse has led the strategic overhaul of Mediahuis' subscription and marketing business, helping the company to reach 100,000 subscribers.

As chief executive, she will work alongside chief operating officer Ian Keogh, chief financial officer Ross Murray and the rest of the Mediahuis Ireland executive leadership team.

“I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for our organisation and for journalism,” said Peirse.

“Peter and Ian have laid a strong foundation for our digital growth, and I look forward to building on that legacy with our talented teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"Together, we will continue to deliver independent, high quality journalism that plays a relevant role in our readers’ lives.”

Cracker Barrel reverts to old logo following criticism

American chain restaurant Cracker Barrel has ditched its new logo following criticism from customers and US President Donald Trump.

The new minimalist logo featured the Cracker Barrel name in a more restrained font on a flat yellow background but did not feature the firm's 'Old Timer' mascot, prompting a backlash.

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain,” the company said in a social media post Tuesday.

The u-turn took place less than a day after Cracker Barrell said it would persist with its updated brand identity while conceding in a statement that it “could’ve done a better job sharing who we are and who we’ll always be.”

On TruthSocial, Trump had urged the firm “go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before.”

After Cracker Barrel announced it was returning to the old logo, he offered the chain his “congratulations.”

Vodafone Business uses repetition to reframe itself as more than mobile

Every week, Amárach and Future Proof Insights share exclusive findings from their PRIZM+ ad testing service, showcasing best practice creative advertising in Ireland.

Vodafone Business set out to reframe itself beyond mobile services, positioning as a full partner for SMEs in connectivity, collaboration, and cybersecurity.

The 30-second “Your Business Can” spot builds around the creative device of repeating the phrase, paired with a dynamic montage that showcases the diverse industries and business environments that Vodafone's services act as the foundation for.

The use of repetition is deliberate. From a neuroscience perspective, repetition increases processing fluency, meaning the brain expends less effort to understand and store the message. The easier a message is to process, the more familiar and persuasive it feels.

For more information on this ad, CLICK HERE.