Ireland
10 Things We Learned from the World Cup’s 1st Weekend
June 13, 2010 by Ray Lewis
1. U.S. interest in the tournament, which has been growing slowly since we hosted in 1994, has accelerated. ESPN is showing every match in spite of the time differential. Locally, San Francisco had the second-highest U.S. city rating for the match against England (11.2, second to San Diego’s 11.5). That is lower than this year’s U.S.-Canada Olympic gold medal hockey game (15.9 in SF) but the Cup is a social event and it was absurdly good weather yesterday so there was much more buzz in town for the soccer than for hockey in February, including well-attended open-air presentations of the game at both the baseball stadium and the plaza at City Hall.
2. The World Cup is bigger than anyone. Except Maradona. TV cameras showed the Argentine legend-coach more than world star Lionel Messi, eternally damned Robert Green or any other single person this weekend, and that’s not including any youTube videos of Maradona using his royalty toilet (please, no hand of God jokes). Also, he must have set a record for touches by a coach. I counted six times he kicked the ball back into play. Letting go is hard.
3. Since when doe
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United Nations at the World Cup, Part I
June 11, 2010 by Ray Lewis
Cafe Bastille, the heart of the French World Cup resistance in San Francisco, was on the other side of town and a Uruguayan pub could not be found, but for a French match in this tournament an Irish bar is definitely not neutral ground.
The Irish failed to qualify for the World Cup as a result of an obvious hand ball by France’s Thierry Henry on a game-winning goal in overtime. Le main tres gauche.
The Irish demanded a replay and have been in enraged mourning ever since. It’s been an embarrassment for the entire world of soccer, even drawing the wrath of one of France’s more traditional, non-sporting enemies (this video not for the kids).
So it was to Napper Tandy then, a pub in the Mission with an Irish flag over the door, a half-dozen screens set above a few tables and a horseshoe bar, filled with fans working on brown ales and Bloody Marys, with a few plates of beans and sausages.
The barmaids were Irish as were some of the patrons, though the crowd had just as much a neighborhood vibe as an event gathering. Two drunk youngsters sitting to…
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Unilever Fires Ad Agency of 16 Years & Goes Crowdsourcing
August 26, 2009 by Renee Blodgett
The beginning of the end. Unilever goes the crowdsourcing route to spruce up TV ads and recruit creative ideas.
After 16 years of using the same ad agency, they’re throwing up a $10,000 prize offering for the best creative marketing ideas.
Turning to the masses for ideas is increasingly hip and less expensive. That said, a mastermind at the helm to gather and choose the right ideas or more likely, mix of ideas is also increasingly important.
This is where marketing has to sit and the hat it needs to wear. Forget those MBA hats. When I look at candidates, I think: are you creative and strategic, can you act intelligently and balanced on the fly, be more flexible than anyone else I talk to, and multitask in a flurry of incoming and outgoing noise?
Crowdsourcing is a great way to solicit valuable feedback and creative ideas. Crowdspring and User Voice are two of numerous services worth checking out.
That said, the crowd doesn’t know the direction you want to take your company, the voice and personality you’d like it to have or your financial goals.
That’s where the role of the new mastermind…
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Decadence in Dublin
August 21, 2009 by Kate Arkless Gray
So here I am, it’s my third day in Ireland and this is my first taste of true Irish Guinness! I’ve popped into Café en Seine at the recommendation of two strangers on Twitter, and I’m glad I did. This isn’t your average Irish pub mind, they serve alcohol, but the similarities with the others I’ve seen end there. This place is quite spectacular.
Step back in time at Cafe en Seine (Photograph: Kate Arkless Gray)
A high arched ceiling rises up above me, covered in small copper and emerald green coloured mosaic tiles. Huge lanterns hang down from its peak, bathing the place in a warming orange glow.
To my right, two large bronze statues of scantily clad roman men who appear to be holding up the mezzanine floor – which boasts a grand piano. Marble tables, a long dark wooden bar and now the soundtrack to Chariots of Fire all combine to make this place feel pretty epic.
Enormous vases sport tall green plants with their gentle fronds hanging down over you, whilst simultaneously hiding the sound system speakers.
The bar boasts an impressive range of spirits if Guinness is not your thing…
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What Advertising Should Take From TED
August 12, 2009 by Andy Hobsbawm
These are some thoughts on TED and the advertising industry after Green Thing returned from TED Global 2009 a few weeks ago.
The big problem for the advertising industry is that it wrote the manifesto for the 20th century’s ideology of triumphant consumerism and excessive individualism. Advertising defined what it was that those who had a newfound capacity to consume should buy, and how to spend their money in a way that suited themselves and no-one else.
If I had to pick out one thing that advertising should take from TED it would be how urgently we need to reboot our society and financial systems to address the great challenges of our times: our environment and economy, our health services and education systems, social inequality and a lack of community, and an ageing population with dwindling supplies of water and oil.
A consistent theme throughout the conference was how our values and cultural behaviors are changing to reflect a growing preoccupation with these new social and economic imperatives.
Thus social commentator and Young Foundation director Geoff Mulgan spoke eloquently and convincingly about the need for systemic change and social innovation to tackle the things that free markets don’t do well; like compassion, empathy, social relationships and…
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Springboks defeat British & Irish Lions
June 29, 2009 by Nic Haralambous
In an absolutely nail-biting finish the Springboks took on and defeated the British & Irish Lions to take home a series victory. 2 matches, 2 wins. That’s good odds.
The Bokke played an absolutely terrible match in the first half with the likes of Schalk Burger being sent off within the first minute of play for gauging someones eye. I expect more of a player of Burger’s capability (I struggle to say class as that was most definitely not classy Schalk).
But the heroes of the evening were Peter de Villiers’ replacements, Morne Steyn and Heinrik Brussouw played the games of their lives to make it very difficult for Mr Burger and Ruaan Pienaar to get back in to the starting line-up. And rightfully so. It’s time that players learned that it is not their right to play in the starting line-up, it is earned.
Nevertheless with no time on the clock and South Africa behind, Morne Steyn, the drop-kick master stood up and slotted a 52 metre penalty to secure the game.
Nice one Bokke. Similar Posts:
- Boks win, Bafana through and Proteas… they still lost.
- SA crowned IRB World Sevens Series Champions
- Vodacom Blue Bulls
Don’t Miss Sites in Dublin
June 15, 2009 by Erin Kiskis
1. Guiness Storehouse: An appreciation for Ireland’s famous brew can be found within the walls of St. James’ Gate. A tour of the brewery concludes with a free pint (included in your ticket price) in the Gravity Bar, with an excellent view of Dublin on a clear day.
Photo courtesy of flickr: pallotron
2. National Gallery: You could easily spend a day in the National Gallery, but the one section not to be missed is the gallery dedicated to brother of W.B. Yeats, the painter Jack B. Yeats. Vibrant colors and smooth strokes will surprise the visitor who expects more muted tones and traditional scenes.
Photo courtesy of flickr: dahon
3. Dublin Castle: While the tour of the fancy, elaborate section of Dublin Castle is interesting, the best aspect is the conclusion of the tour, that brings guests to the excavation currently ongoing at the Castle. It helps to paint a picture of what Dublin would have been like centuries ago.
Photo courtesy of flickr: Kieran Lynam
4. Writers Museum:If you have an interest in literature or literary history, the Irish Writer’s Museum has some…
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Best Places in Dublin to Find Irish Culture
June 8, 2009 by Renee Blodgett
The Best Places in Dublin to find Irish Culture……
No Great Mischief
June 19, 2007 by Renee Blodgett
I seem to be on an accidental journey of reading novel after novel of tales that recount history, culture and tradition; the last four set in the American Northeast where the characters were of Irish, Scottish or Nordic descent.
The authors spend time rewinding the clock, so the reader can vividly see the historical unfolding of an old culture on new ground – America.
New England and Nova Scotia are baked in history, where roots more than linger; they are deeply planted in ways that often complicate the present and prohibit growth. Emotional undertaking. Tearful yet often beautiful saga that keeps one in the past rather than the present journey.
And yet in a world that is bound by tradition and ‘look after your own blood, your own kind,’ heritage thrives. There’s a constant reminder to be proud of your history. Long live tradition, for without such rituals, we may possibly forget heritage as well as the joy of celebrating it.
Reading great literature can take you to that place of celebration; the words get into your veins and are as invigorating to the soul as running in the rain on a warm summer day or a first kiss with…
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