Trends in business, leadership, AI, new ways of doing things and a new questioning of using humans in business at all! How dare the machines!

Team Ballywire meets such interesting people on an ongoing basis we have decided to try and decode whats going on one piece of content at a time!

New books, articles, perspectives. Got something to share drop us a line hello@thedigitalgrill.com or drop your info on the form at thedigitalgrill.com. Our first feature is a new book guiding you on leadership in the crazy world of today. Who couldn’t use that perspective! Watch out for it coming soon on linked in and our socials and we will let you know whats cookin!

First up is a debut author who has learned some good business lessons falling from the sky!

Ath-Theacht Mhéibhe or The Return of Maeve walks you through some of the myths and legends associated with Ireland’s ancient warrior queen Maeve of Connacht.

Newly commissioned artwork illustrating the key moment in Ireland’s legendary story of the Brown Bull of Cooley and visualising beliefs that near Maeve’s Palace in Rathcroghan, County Roscommon, Ireland’s Gates of Hell were located are amongst the notable inclusions in the exhibition.

It also explores the value of a powerful female figure in the world of today. What has changed for women in 2000 years? What would Maeve make of it all? These themes are explored through a collection of original songs and poetry by women from modern Ireland. 

Through a mix of prints and video the exhibition wonders where Maeve has been all this time and ponders the treatment of women in Ireland and the world today. 

The exhibition which is free continues until the end of the month and features a projection room which shows the making of the illustrations, spectacular footage of county Sligo and the first public performance of the original music videos composed for the project.

As well as excerpts from the graphic novel A Destiny Unfolds, which has been illustrated by Tipperary artist Jennifer Ryan Kelly, some of the world’s leading comic artists have been commissioned to provide their depictions of what Maeve might look like 117 years after the first colour depiction of Maeve was commissioned by then US President Theodore Roosevelt. 

Talented music and songwriting due Audrey Marian Fay and Enda Duffy have composed original music and songs for the concept. “The songs are like rallying cries for people to find their inner warrior and choose to move forward with their purpose’ says Ballywire CEO Paul Collins. ‘Increasingly in the world of today we get very little time to focus on ourselves so the notion that we take a time out and put on our armour to tackle life in the everyday battlefield is a theme of the original music brilliantly composed by Audrey and Enda.’

Warrior and My Time Is Now are both available on Spotify.

‘It’s incredible to showcase this project for the first time in such an historic building celebrating the memory of arguably one of the greatest poets of Ireland and the world. Yeats was a huge fan of the Celtic myths and was a central figure in reviving Irish culture and identity as we strove towards becoming an independent nation, so to see our project on the walls of this building is very humbling’ said Ballywire CEO and Maeve exhibition curator Paul Collins. ‘We are also looking at bringing the exhibition to other venues so watch this space’. he added.

A new interview series has also been announced. Produced by Ballywire, Maeve Beo – The Interviews will investigate whether the Maeve warrior spirit is in evidence in the world of today and will profile four people in the weeks ahead on the theme of Maeve’s mantra. ‘Question and Be Brave. Find Your Inner Warrior. Find Your Inner Maeve.’

Its been quite a week for the project in Sligo with the book A Destiny Unfolds also going on sale for the first time in Liber, the town’s leading independent bookshop. It’s also available online here.

The story illustrated by Thurles native Jennifer Ryan Kelly and written by Suzanne Stapleton will go on general sale online on Tuesday April 2nd 2024 but visitors to the Irish Gaming Market event at City North on March 30th will be among the first in Ireland to have the opportunity to purchase the first edition.

While historians and archaeologists differ on whether Maeve was actually real or not, Ballywire’s reimagined heroine begins her journey on her 18th birthday when her father and herself don’t exactly see eye to eye over the surprise he planned for her. Spoiler alert. (Not the nice kind!).

Maeve of Connacht is a story rooted in the mists of ancient Ireland. An era shrouded in mystery because it went undocumented for millenia.

This is a story about a woman from the west of Ireland who was brave in the face of treachery, and who followed her destiny.

Maeve encourages us all to ‘question and be brave. Find your inner warrior. Find your inner Maeve.’

In addition to telling the creative story of Ballywire’s Maeve of Connacht at the Irish Gaming Market event a live show will also debut on the Main Stage giving insights into Maeve’s World.

A VR experience has also been created featuring original Irish poetry and music which will be available at the show for attendees to try out.

” I have been asked how many issues will there be in the Maeve series and my response is – let’s see how the first one goes! Our plan is to develop a universe called Aeroo which would feature great heroes from the Celtic past. The concept was introduced to trade buyers at Showcase 2024 in January and the feedback has been positive so fingers crossed that there will be plenty more episodes.’ says Ballywire founder and Maeve creator Paul Collins.

The 60 page issue one has been laid out by Minx Design and printed in county Louth by Anglo Printers and can be pre-ordered here.

Question and be brave. Find your inner warrior. Find your inner Maeve.

Time to dust down that uniform! It’s been announced that Ballywire Media, one of Ireland’s leading content creators and live event producers, has teamed up with Ireland’s Gaming and Pop Culture Market to help deliver an action packed event in County Meath next month.

Visitors from the four provinces of Ireland will descend on the City North Hotel for a day of gaming and celebrating some of the world’s major super heroes.

The Irish Gaming Market is the brainchild of Kildare native Seamus Fanning from Kilcullen and Matthew Martin, who established the event to provide opportunities for fans and vendors to buy and sell merchandise related to old video games and anime, as well as celebrate their favourite pop-culture characters by dressing up in their likeness, known in the comic world as cosplay.

The event also provides opportunities to compete in tournaments and buy a range of game merch from vendors who will be at the show.

The last event in Kildare, for which tickets were only on sale online in advance, was a sellout.

Among the many stands in attendance will be sellers of vintage electronic games, comics and graphic novels, arts and crafts, badges, posters, t-shirts and more. According to Seamus Fanning, the show is an attempt to fill a gap in the market for gamer interests.

“With Gamestop and Argos taken out of the country, we set up this to show that there are venues possible where you can still buy this stuff, since there’s a bit of a void now with those stores gone.’’
But it’s not all buying and selling, this year the organisers wanted to develop the experience of attending the event and that’s how the partnership with Ballywire came about, says company CEO Paul Collins.

‘After a few team calls with both Seamus and Matthew it became clear that the lads would be great partners and have an incredible vision. Given our background in live event streaming and broadcast production, supporting the Irish Gaming Market and community is something we are excited to do.’
Irish Gaming Market Spring merges the world of gaming and cosplay to provide attendees with a place to shop, game and cosplay.

Hosting a wide range of Ireland’s best artists and traders, there will also be some free play areas featuring games from old to new, with thanks to one of the event sponsors BigFootGaming’s arsenal of top of the range Gaming PCs. IGM has a very beginner friendly approach where attendees can dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer for the first time, so many leave with a new hobby.

For their Spring Event, IGM is doubling down on cosplay, hosting a cosplay masquerade with a total prize pool of €500 attracting some of the best cosplay talent in Ireland.The masquerade will be directed by the IGM team in collaboration with Ballywire.  Not only will Ballywire provide AV and content creation services on site, the company also has exciting plans of it’s own.

‘We have been working on our own comic universe and are proud to say that we will introduce our own Maeve of Connacht live experience at the show. I don’t want to give too much away but for the first time the Irish public will see our vision for a character brought to life by Thurles artist Jennifer Ryan Kelly in the first episode of her story “A Destiny Unfolds’’. We will also debut a specially commissioned VR experience which features original Irish poetry and music, and we can’t wait to get feedback from the first users. Not only that, we organised a surprise guest to entertain attendees into the witching hours! See you there.’ says Paul.

Tickets are available here. For more information visit irishgamingmarket.ie and to contact IGM, email hello@irishgamingmarket.ie or on drop them a message on Instagram @IrishGamingMarket.

Now in its sixth year, the Irish Enterprise Awards scheme run by EU Business News Magazine is over half a decade old, with the same vision as ever – to recognise businesses and individuals for their unique contribution to the world of business.

The magazine says the Awards ‘showcase a fine selection of people raising the bar in Ireland, motivating and inspiring all of us to elevate our services, solutions, and products to give others the opportunity to lead brighter lives.’

Speaking about the winners recognised as part of this programme, Awards Coordinator, Jessie Wilson, commented: “I want to share a heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners as we recognise their innovation and compassion. They each contribute to the development of the corporate landscape of Ireland, as well as the rest of the world. Influencing generations to come, their stories will live on. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours, and we are excited to be announcing their success.”

Ballywire founder Paul Collins remarked ‘There is a saying in Ireland that self praise is no praise, so we are delighted to be honoured! From the clients and partners we collaborate with to each of the people who we rely on to create great content, thanks for your support’.

Ballywire provides journalism backed video and livestreaming services at home and abroad. Give a shout for a no obligation chat on your video requirements.

The opportunity to give that phase of one’s life more thought arose in recent months after Ballywire Media won a tender to create a documentary chronicling Kilkenny’s Age Friendly Ireland journey over the past decade.

While old age may not be uppermost in your own mind right now, the experience of the older generation can appear on your radar, often as a concern due to your own parents or an elderly relative.

This was the case with my own late mother and father.

On their behalf you find yourself identifying what services are available and trying to navigate the healthcare landscape for them among other practical issues that become more difficult if your mobility is hampered.

It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom though.

I know in my own Dad’s case he put a christmas present of an Ipad and bluetooth speaker to good use spinning hits from yesteryear at the senior gatherings at Cappawhite Resource Centre in Tipp and couldn’t wait to get going every week!

It was a delight to meet those involved in the Age Friendly movement around Kilkenny city and county speaking so passionately about remaining active, creative and most of all having fun during production of the Age Friendly documentary marking a decade of the movement in Kilkenny which was launched with Hollywood pzazz.

The driving force of the project was former GAA President and Kilkenny Age Friendly ambassador Nickey Brennan and fellow committee members.

As a Tipp native, hurling rivalry was set aside (temporarily!😃) for the production.

Many of the planning meetings and production screenings took place in the heart of the Marble city at the ideally located Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny where John Ryan and staff couldn’t be more helpful keeping the troops fuelled with great fare from Statham’s Restaurant which some might remember as a former garage on Patrick street.

Like any production or creation it’s hard to gauge how it will be received until it’s ‘out there’.

This week a review appeared in the Noreside bible the Kilkenny People / KilkennyLive.ie and to say all involved in the production were blown away by the review below penned by Mary Cody would be an understatement.

No money changed hands before you ask!

If you know anyone involved in creating a strategy for senior members of the community whether that’s in retail, healthcare or local government there may be useful insights from the Kilkenny experience.

Don’t forget when modifying retail or any environment for that matter, for the older generation, this also means you are modifying the surroundings for parents with buggies or those in wheelchairs.

What I took away from the project is old age with the right approach can be embraced and enjoyed and in many cases lead to personal re-invention.

Oh and fun.

And filled with new friends.

Thanks Mary for the review and to Nickey and the Age Friendly committee for the opportunity to collaborate.

Don’t age! Just ask what’s next!

You can read the review and get the link to the video below.

The Kilkenny People’s take.

Football team captains from all the participating counties gathered for the launch in Croke Park, providing an ideal opportunity to gather social media content for the season ahead.

Everything from match previews, to social media habits and favourite choons was captured by Ballywire cameras on the day.

When you have your brand ambassadors all together it’s an ideal opportunity to get some evergreen content for your social channels.

See how it’s done here in an exclusive Behind The Scenes video of the day!

Still hard to believe we were in the midst of regulations a mere 12 months ago. 

Despite a return to what one might consider normal trading and festive conditions, juggling annual family demands on time and budget aren’t the only things to consider.

Violence against women is unacceptable and this festive season Ballywire is supporting a campaign to highlight the work of Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny.

Headed up by Lisa Morris, the charity was the beneficiary of a fundraising night at Kilkenny’s Pembroke Hotel owned by Tipperary’s John Ryan.

Organised by the Slievenamon Association, a video created by Ballywire showcasing their work was premiered at the event and this production is now reminding people of their great work and the need to support them this festive season and throughout the year.

Thanks to Today FM’s Paula McSweeney and fellow Kilkenny native, RTE broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuileann for literally voicing their support for the campaign by volunteering their services to help tell the Amber story.

Also thanks to producer Sarah Ntabadde for her work in editing the piece. Have the best Christmas you can.

Here is the video. 

When it comes to video, there are seemingly endless possibilities. From live-action to animation, from short clips to long-form stories, the options are practically limitless.

Videos can help you build relationships, create connections, and engage audiences in a way that other forms of communication simply can’t match. But what types of video should you be using in your communications mix?

This article looks closely at the different types of videos and how they can help you achieve specific business goals. So if you’re curious about how video can help your business, read on!

Social Video Types

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have all made it clear that video is a priority for them. As a result, videos on these platforms are more likely to be seen and shared than any other type of content.

In fact, Facebook users watch over 100 million hours of video every day. This figure is staggering, right?

One thing about social media videos is that consumers usually discover them organically. They’ll stumble upon them while scrolling through their timelines or feeds. Whether these people watch your video will depend on how engaging and interesting your it is.

The following types of social videos are more likely to engage your audience:

Behind-the-Scenes

People love knowing what goes on behind the curtains of their favourite brands. A behind-the-scenes video gives consumers a glimpse of what it takes to bring your brand to life.

For instance, if you sell clothes, you could show how your garments are designed and manufactured. It could also be as simple as an office tour or a day in the life of your employees. Not only does this type of video build trust, but it also humanises your brand.

Interview/Q&A

This type of video is a great way to connect with your audience on a personal level and respond to their burning questions. You can sit down with a team member, a customer, or a thought leader and chat on-screen about your brand story, products or services, or your team.

It could also be a solo video where you speak to your followers directly. In this case, you will be answering any questions they’ve asked about your business. People are more likely to trust you and your brand when you’re open and honest about who you are and what you do.

User-generated Content

If you’ve been creating content, you know that it’s time-consuming. So why not let your loyal followers do some work for you?

You can organise a contest where your followers submit videos about your brand. You can also use videos posted by your followers organically.

When people see that others are using and enjoying your product, they’re more likely to want to try it for themselves. After all, if other people are doing it, it can’t be that bad, right?

Live Videos

Most social media platforms have a live-streaming feature, and users love it. This type of content is unedited and usually spontaneous. It gives your audience a transparent look at your brand and lets them feel like they’re a part of your story.

The key to a successful live video is to be natural and genuine. Let your personality shine through and engage with your viewers in the comments section.

Announcements/Reveals

Who doesn’t love a good surprise? If you have some big news to share about your brand, make a social media video. This type of video is a great way to build suspense and get people excited about what’s to come. You can use it to announce a new product, a sale, or a partnership.

Deals and Promos

Everyone loves a good deal, so why not show your followers what you’ve got? You can create a video highlighting any deals or promotions you’re currently running.

This is a great way to increase sales and drive traffic to your website or brick-and-mortar store. Plus, it shows your followers that you’re always looking out for their best interests.

How-to Videos

Do you have a product or service that people need to know how to use? If so, a how-to video is a perfect way to show them.

How-to videos are great because they provide value to your audience. They also show that you’re an expert in your field and passionate about helping others.

But you need to understand how to tweak your videos and make them short. No one is going to watch a 30-minute video about how to use your product.

When Video Is Appropriate

While video content is becoming increasingly popular, that doesn’t mean you should use it for everything. There are certain situations where video is more appropriate than others. A video is more suitable if you want to:

Show off a new product or service: A video is a great way to show off your new product or service in all its glory. You can demonstrate how it works, its features, and why it’s better than the competition.

Generate excitement about an upcoming event or product: A video can generate a lot of excitement about an upcoming event. You can give people a sneak peek of what’s to come, tease a new product, and get them pumped up for the big day.

Showcase your company culture: A video is a great way to show potential employees your company culture. You can show off your office space, introduce the team, and give people a taste of what it’s like to work for you.

Provide a tutorial or how-to: People often prefer to watch a video tutorial than read instructions. If you have something complicated to explain, a video can be a great way to do it. You can show people exactly what they need to do step-by-step, and they can pause and rewind as needed.

Engage your audience better: A video is often the way to go if you want to get people’s attention and hold it. People recall 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when they read it in text. So if you want people to remember your message, put it in a video.

Boost your SEO: Search engines love video content. You’re 53 times more likely to show up first on Google if you have a video embedded on your website. And we all know that the higher you rank on Google, the more traffic you’re likely to get.

Why Consumers Like Video

You may wonder why video is so popular. Why do people prefer to watch a video than read an article or listen to a podcast?

The answer is simple: because it’s more engaging. A video can hold people’s attention in a way that other forms of content can’t.

But that’s not all. There are other reasons why consumers like video, including:

It’s entertaining: A well-made video is bound to be more fun than a blog post or podcast episode. And let’s face it, we all need a little entertainment in our lives.

It’s informative: You’ve probably heard that a one-minute video is worth 1.8 million words. That means you can pack a lot of information into a short video. This is perfect for busy people who don’t have time to read a long article or listen to a long podcast episode.

It’s shareable: People are more likely to share a video than an article or podcast episode. This is because videos are more entertaining and visually stimulating, so people are more likely to want to share them with their friends and followers.

It’s more stimulating: Videos can combine movement, text, and sound to create a more stimulating experience. With these elements working together, it’s easier for people to process videos better than any other form of content.

How Video Influences Purchasing Decisions

Have you been struggling to increase conversion rates? If so, video could be the answer. Studies show that 73% of consumers are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it online. They’re more likely to purchase if the video is informative.

A recent Animoto survey revealed 93% of consumers believe that videos help them decide whether to purchase a product. The survey also showed that video is the favourite content type among consumers. They also prefer watching videos to looking at photos or reading about a product.

So if you want to increase conversion rates, it’s time to start incorporating video into your marketing mix. Video can help you boost sales and make your products more appealing to consumers.

When consumers watch videos, they’re not just passively consuming content. They’re actively engaging with it. And when they engage with your content, they’re more likely to make a purchase.

Start Using Different Types of Videos in Your Communication Mix

From live videos to user-generated content, you can use many types of video in your communications mix. Video is the perfect tool to engage your audience, boost your SEO, and hit the sales goal you’ve been struggling to reach. So if you’re not using video in your marketing mix, now is the time to start.

Not sure where to start to create winning videos? Ballywire Media can help you create videos that will engage your audience and boost your business. Contact us today to learn more.