Client News

ICS Mortgages had over €530m in new mortgage drawdowns in 2021

Káno Communications recently supported ICS Mortgages to highlight its significant growth in the Irish mortgage market in 2021 where the Irish non-bank lender saw a 143pc year on year increase in drawdowns.  With a total of over €530 million in mortgages extended in 2021, ICS Mortgages estimates that its share of the Irish mortgage market increased to 5.05% by the end of the year.   

According to Chief Executive Fergal McGrath, ICS Mortgages increased its total loan book by over 25% to more than €1 billion during 2021, representing a significant performance underpinned by the lender’s innovative mortgage products for both owner occupier and buy to let markets.  

“As a majority-Irish owned non-bank lender in the mortgage market, we are purely focused on providing mortgages and on delivering real value to our customers via market-leading competitive rates and product innovation. We are really pleased that Irish consumers have responded to our offerings in such growing numbers.  

“As a specialist mortgage-only lender we are continuing on our growth journey and having now exceeded our initial goal of 5% share of the mortgage market, our goal has been revised upwards to supply over 10% of Irish mortgages within the next three years.   

“We look forward to building on this significant performance in 2022 and beyond. Everyone at ICS Mortgages is committed to continuing to deliver market-leading price, service and innovation for Irish home buyers”.   

Kano’s Corporate Communications team worked with ICS Mortgagers to amplify this announcement with both consumers and key stakeholders, securing significant coverage in the Irish Times – link – RTE – Link the Irish Independents – Link and with other specialist outlets   

The Kano press office also publicised the lenders ambitions for growth through the securing of quality coverage across national newspapers and radio. 

 

Nestlé establishes Income Accelerator Program to address inequality and achieve full traceability in cocoa production

Nestlé, the world’s largest food and drink company has unveiled a major plan to advance sustainability and tackle child labor risks in cocoa production. It will invest €1.25 billion by 2030, more than tripling its current annual investment, this new effort will help transform the supply chain of Nestlé and the broader industry.  

The plan is centered around an innovative income accelerator program which aims to improve the livelihoods of cocoa-farming families in Africa, while also advancing regenerative agriculture practices and gender equality.  Nestlé’s new plan also supports the company’s work to transform its global sourcing of cocoa to achieve full traceability and segregation for its cocoa products. 

Speaking on the announcement, Nestlé’s CEO Mark Schneider said: “We believe that, together with governments, NGOs and others in the cocoa industry, we can help improve the lives of cocoa-farming families and give children the chance to learn and grow in the safe and healthy environment they deserve”. 

In an effort to tackle child labour risks, the programme will see a cash incentive of up to €474 a year for the first two years paid directly to households involved in cocoa farming for certain activities such as enrolling their children in school. After the first two years, the funding will drop to €237 a year and continue at this rate. With Nestlé’s new approach, cocoa-farming families will now be rewarded not only for the quantity and quality of cocoa beans they produce but also for the benefits they provide to the environment and local communities. These incentives are on top of the premium introduced by the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana that Nestlé pays, and the premiums Nestlé offers for certified cocoa. 

The coverage secured for this announcement in Ireland included the Irish Times (link), RTÉ (link) as well as across crucial trade and industry media.  

 

FSAI helps highlight dangers of inadvertent consumption of cannabis jellies

Together with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) we recently helped to highlight the dangers of inadvertent consumption of cannabis edibles, which contain the psychoactive cannabis component known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

In partnership with the FSAI press office, some fantastic coverage was secured across national, regional and online media, including interviews on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1, and Virgin Media News. More than 150 pieces of national coverage were secured, reaching an estimated audience of 5.9 million.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI said, “We know adults and/or teenagers are ordering these illegal products from online or other illegal sources for their own personal use. However, they often have no understanding of the real health dangers of these products and are careless or reckless in putting young children’s health at risk by allowing them access to these products.

The prevalence of these edible products containing THC in communities and schools around the country is a growing cause for concern and parents and guardians should be extra vigilant during festivities such as Halloween where parties will be underway, and the risk of accidental consumption of these products is considerably higher.”

A Tasty Opportunity for Ireland’s Food And Drink Start-Ups

Káno client Food Works, the highly successful tri-agency initiative run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, is looking for ten high potential, innovative and export driven food and drink start-ups to join their 2022 accelerator programme. Businesses seeking to follow in the footsteps of thriving food and drink companies such as Craft Cocktails (pictured), Nobó, Wicklow Wolf and Fiid, have until 3^rd December to apply.

The collaborative food and drink entrepreneurship programme is designed for rising stars to help them transform from a start-up to an investor-ready company, with a focus on scaling internationally. Over 100 companies have successfully completed the unique programme since it began in 2012.

The initiative, now in its tenth year, includes workshops with national and international industry experts across disciplines such as strategy, finance, product development and marketing.  Participants are also eligible to apply for feasibility grant funding of up to €35,000 through Enterprise Ireland. The applications campaign has been strengthened by influencer support from the likes of notable food writer Dee Laffan and creative food consultant Ali Dunworth.

Gillian Willis, Small Business Development Manager, Bord Bia says “We encourage applications from any ambitious, innovative food and drink start-up with the potential to export. Food Works has a successful track record in supporting Irish start-ups to succeed at home and abroad and can support and assist you to achieve your ambitions. The programme also showcases the pipeline of unique, high quality Irish food and drink products that have the potential to achieve export success.”

Movember urges men to “Take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives” as research shows nearly 6 out of every 10 men don’t share how they are feeling

Movember 2021 is well underway and once again the leading charity changing the face of men’s health is urging people to ‘Take Action’. It is simple actions such as checking in on a mate; opening the conversation about mental health and checking yourself that make a huge difference. A new study by the charity revealed that nearly 60% of men never, or very rarely speak about their mental health.

2021 Mo Bro ambassadors, All Ireland Football winner, Cathal McShane (Tyrone); Olympic boxer Emmet Brennan and celebrity chef Eoin Sheehan are throwing their weight behind the upcoming campaign.

Sadly, three out of every four deaths by suicide in Ireland are male and only four out of 10 regularly check for symptoms of testicular cancer- despite it being the most common cancer among young men. The research also found that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the emotional well-being of men, particularly among young men aged 18-24, with over 63% claiming their mental health has been impacted by the global pandemic.

This year’s campaign aims to provide funds to support research and services into three of the biggest health issues facing men: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. There are many ways to take part; you can Grow a Mo, Move 60km for Movember, host a ‘Mo-Ment’ or simply ‘Mo Your Own Way’.

 

For more information visit: ie.movember.com/register

 

Nestlé launches Vegan KitKat in Ireland.

There’s a new plant-based way to have a break, as Nestlé Ireland have launched the vegan KitKat, which features smooth chocolate blended with plant-based ingredients to perfectly balance the brand’s trademark crisp wafer.

KitKat Vegan was developed by chocolatiers and food scientists at Nestlé’s Research and Development centre in England, the original home of KitKat. The team worked hard to design a vegan alternative that would live up to the high expectations of KitKat lovers everywhere.

Maria McKenna, Confectionery Marketing Manager, Nestlé Ireland says “There is a quiet food revolution underway that is changing how people eat. We want to be at the forefront of that, championing the discovery of plant-based food and beverages. What better proof of that than offering a plant-based version of one of our oldest and most famous brands? The new KitKat V means people can enjoy a delicious vegan option when they have a break.”

Nestlé is helping people embrace more plant-based food, with options across its wide range of food and beverages. Aside from plant-based food, Nestlé has also launched dairy-free coffee mixes and last year introduced Carnation Vegan condensed milk.

KitKat Vegan is available now nationwide!