Mid-Year Review 2023

As we pass the halfway point of 2023, we take the opportunity to reflect on some key milestones and successes that have shaped the year to date at Heneghan. It was a busy six months as we continued to deliver impact for our clients across a variety of exciting and successful projects and we further expanded our portfolio with new partnerships. We also launched our successful Summer Seminars, a series of expert presentations and skill-building workshops, with topics including AI/ChatGPT and Podcasting. We were honoured to be shortlisted for PR Agency of the Year and welcomed two new executives to the team.

The team at Heneghan would like to thank our valued clients for their continued trust and partnership and we look forward to the remainder of 2023.

SSE Renewables - Mayo wind farm

SSE Renewables submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in February 2023 for its proposed wind farm in Sheskin South, Co. Mayo. Currently at planning stage, Sheskin South wind farm is a proposed joint venture project between SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland. Heneghan supported SSE Renewables in announcing this application which showed SSE Renewable's commitment to developing wind farms across the country.

The two companies are 50:50 co-development partners for the proposed 21 turbine wind farm which, if approved and constructed as proposed, would have the capacity to generate approximately 126MW of green energy - enough to power 83,000 homes - and offset an estimated 88 million Kg of harmful carbon emissions annually. The project has the potential to increase Ireland's supply of clean, green electricity to help hit climate targets, increase energy security and lower fuel bills.

ABP acquisition of Scotbeef

In June, Heneghan worked with ABP Food Group to announce their acquisition of the Bridge of Allan abattoir and Queenslie meat packing plant from Scotbeef in Scotland. The two facilities became part of the company's UK meat division, which also includes a processing and packing facility in Perth.

The purchase of these two sites expanded ABP's UK meat division and ensured both jobs and slaughtering and packing capacity in Scotland. ABP employs 13,200 people across its four divisions: Red Meat, Pet Foods, Renewables and Proteins, with processing facilities in nine countries and a turnover of €4.7 billion.

With over sixty years' experience, ABP is one of Europe's leading consumer food producers, with a reputation for quality and innovation, supplying fresh and frozen meat products to retailers and food service providers in the UK and worldwide.

Royal Irish Academy of Music's (RIAM) new state of the art campus in Dublin City Centre

In February, Heneghan managed the launch event, supporting media relations, public affairs, and key stakeholder communications for the unveiling of the Royal Irish Academy of Music's (RIAM) new state of the art campus in Dublin City Centre. Following a €25 million investment, this was the largest ever investment in arts in the state.

The aim of campaign, devised by the team at Heneghan, was to position the RIAM as an authority on music education in Ireland, raise awareness of the RIAM brand and its offering, and attract current and new audiences to the RIAM. Authenticity was at the heart of this campaign, with a focus on communicating the culture, history and heritage of the RIAM. The Heneghan team met and exceeded this goal through audience engagement, showcasing the new campus, and enhancing public perception and awareness of the RIAM amongst the wider public.

Media highlights included the Irish Times, RTE Six-One News, RTE 2, Irish Independent, and many more. As a result of this campaign, the event was attended by all key stakeholders, Ministers, past and current students, and the media. The RIAM social media pages also saw an increase on visits of 125%.

Age Friendly Ireland

In May, Heneghan commenced work with Age Friendly Ireland - an organisation that supports cities and counties to be more inclusive of older people by addressing their concerns and interests under the eight pillars of the World Health Organization's global programme.

The Heneghan team worked with Age Friendly Ireland to create a nationwide campaign to recruit people to Older People's Councils - representative groups of older people who work with key state and voluntary agencies to make Ireland a better place in which to grow old. The team at Heneghan commenced this campaign with the annual two-day convention of Older People's Councils in Tralee, Co Kerry, working with event organisers to promote the convention and its theme of 'Fáilte Ar Ais - Welcome Back', focusing on how older people can engage with society and also improve and maintain their physical and mental health in a post COVID world.

This media campaign garnered widespread media coverage, including a segment on the RTE Six One News, RTE News at One with Brian Dobson, two separate Irish Independent interviews, plus multiple regional media coverage.

Heneghan New Client Wins

Heneghan is delighted to announce a range of new client partnerships, secured in the first half of 2023, including Conduent, FRKelly and Age Friendly Ireland.