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Tourism Ireland wins two major marketing awards

Ideas such as a social-media-led mystery holiday won the gongs for all-island tourism body.

TOURISM IRELAND, THE all-island tourism body, has won two gongs at a major marketing awards event.

The DMAs (Direct Marketing Association) were held in London and looked at marketing campaigns carried out by a number of major organisations and firms.

Tourism Ireland won a gold medal in the travel and holidays category and a silver for best use of email marketing.

Its gold-winning effort was an innovative social media campaign which saw a couple from Brighton in England brought to Ireland for a five-day mystery tour. The twist was that they were guided to each of their stopping-off points by Twitter and Facebook communities around Britain, who solved various clues and sent the couple to their destination each day. The couple then logged their journey by sharing maps, photos and videos and on a blog. They visited Antrim, Down, Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Waterford.

The email marketing campaign was an out-of-office email which was designed to look as though it had been set up by the recipient, sending them off on a dream holiday around iconic Irish landmarks (and presumably making them wish they were actually there).

Next year will be a big one for Tourism Ireland and associated tourism bodies with The Gathering 2013 launching here on New Year’s Even, and hoping to attract extra overseas visitors to our shores.

The Gathering 2013: What to expect>

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    Mute Patric Juillet
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:35 PM

    Excellent! I have family in France that wants to join me in Kerry after seeing Ireland on the telly. And I have to say that where I live is magical.

    117
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    Mute Les Rock
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:03 PM

    lucky man Patric you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world in my opinion

    56
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    Mute David Linehan
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:16 PM

    Total bolloxology. The gathering is nothing short of a disgrace. Thousands of Irish forced to leave this island every year and the government have the cheek to ask ex-pats / people of Irish descent to come back and get ripped off while spending money they and their family earned yonder due to Irish governments past failing them, the arrogance. Banana Republic

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Dec 17th 2012, 6:40 PM

    David, f*** off! This article is about tourism ireland winning a award. It’s great news!!!

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    Mute Ciaran Dillon
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    Dec 17th 2012, 10:32 PM

    David when do you leave?

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    Mute Creamy Hamstrings
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:14 PM

    The gathering! Ha. I hope it falls flat on it’s stupid face!

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    Mute Sluazcanal
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    Dec 17th 2012, 4:40 PM

    Why would you? You are one of the more intelligent commenters on here, What gives?

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    Mute padraig
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    Dec 17th 2012, 9:22 PM

    I hope it does well, owning a holiday home and all. We can’t eat ourselves up with cynicism.

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    Mute Bobby Sebastian
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    Dec 17th 2012, 5:48 PM

    Thats cool

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    Mute Adam Walsh
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    Dec 17th 2012, 7:28 PM

    To many party poopers on here !

    20
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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Dec 17th 2012, 9:50 PM

    Where is this gathering ,what’s the Craig I want to go can I go can I can i I will be good

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    Mute Lou Brennan
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    Dec 18th 2012, 12:50 AM

    Come to Ireland, Most expensive and wettest country in Europe, but full of positive people who will love to mug you as much as they do there own. Hows that for a bit of reality? Can I have my award now.

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    Mute Nichola Ní Bhradáin
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    Dec 18th 2012, 3:03 AM

    So what’s the alternative? Tell people to stay away from Ireland, don’t bother coming or spending your money here? Give it to another country instead? Get behind your country and be proud of the good things we have to offer. There’s plenty if you care to look without cynicism.

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    Mute cooperguy
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    Dec 18th 2012, 9:26 AM

    Your so far off the mark it isn’t even funny. Dublin is ranked number 72 in world rankings of expensive cities. Behind a quite a few European cities http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving.htm

    Seriously, if you hate living here so much just leave. The place will brighten up after you have taken your negativity with you.

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    Mute Garry Dempsey
    Favourite Garry Dempsey
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    Dec 18th 2012, 3:10 AM

    why would anyone come here on holiday when the weather is crap and its just so expensive I just dint get it

    2
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