Leading companies use expertise to help regional branding initiative

Leading food, craft and tourism companies in Cork are pooling their energies to promote companies in the south and east of the county.

Cormac Fitzgerald of The Blue Haven Collection, Gregory O’Gorman of Kilkenny Group and Deirdre Mannion of Trabolgan Holiday Village are among the ‘brand champions’ putting their weight behind the new Ring of Cork brand.

All three will be speaking at an event organised by the South and East Cork Area Development company (Secad) this Monday at 7.30pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island.

Secad chief executive Ryan Howard said: “We launched the first phase of the Ring of Cork brand last year with good success. The focus of that initial phase was the tourism and hospitality sector, and now we are looking to push the brand out to the next level and incorporate the food and craft industry along with tourism.”

Cormac Fitzgerald will outline his experience in developing Blue Haven’s food business and the benefits of being part of a regional branding initiative, namely West Cork’s Fuchsia brand.

Gregory O’Gorman will talk about Kilkenny Group’s experience in building a brand, and how he plans to work with the Ring of Cork brand for the benefit of the region.

Deirdre Mannion will speak about the value of being part of a network, and the benefits which Trabolgan has already gained from the new brand.

The Ring of Cork includes the towns of Cobh, Midleton, Youghal, Carrigaline, and Ballincollig and their surrounding areas, and is supported by Secad as well as the town councils of Cobh, Midleton and Youghal.

- Visit www.ringofcork.ie

Picture: Emily Ring, Anna Ring, Killian Punch, Amy Buckley and Rachel Punch, of the Cobh Animation Group, at the launch of the Ring of Cork. Picture: Diane Cusack