Client News

Irish children’s TV production wins prestigious Clio Award at Hollywood ceremony

We were delighted to support the Lámh project by volunteering our time and expertise to publicise this recent award. Thanks to all the team in Kano and everyone who covered the story for us. Lámh is a manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland and we are happy to support it.

‘Dizzy Deliveries’ TV series aimed at increasing inclusivity for children with intellectual disabilities fights off competition from major streaming channels to scoop prestigious award

• Dizzy Deliveries series, which is part of The Lámh Project, won a coveted Clio Entertainment Award in the category: Television Series: Public Relations for Social Good judged by an international panel
• Dizzy Deliveries wins in category which included submissions from Netflix, National Geographic & MTV
• RTÉ’s commission is the first Irish production to feature Lámh, the manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland
• The Lámh Project reissues national appeal to teach ‘everyone to say hello to everyone’ as it receives global recognition
• Irish agency Ringers Creative win second Clio this year for The Lámh Project.

Dizzy Deliveries, the first Irish production to include the ‘Lámh’ sign language system, won a Clio Award in the flagship Entertainment Category at a ceremony in the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on 9th November, in a category which included submissions from global streaming giants such as Netflix, National Geographic and MTV.

The children’s series, which is made by Macalla, the TV & content production company, was awarded a silver Clio in the Public Relations for Social Good Category. The Clio Awards is an annual award program that recognises innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design, and communication, as judged by an international panel of advertising professionals. The Lámh Project created by Irish agency Ringers, has already picked up a Clio Grand Prix award in the Health category earlier this year in New York.

Dizzy Deliveries is a 13-episode children’s TV show with Lámh Signs which first aired on RTÉJr in October 2022. It is the most watched children’s TV series on the RTÉ Player. Audiences join Joe Daly a slightly accident-prone delivery man who has magical powers as he attempts to deliver parcels. In each episode we meet children who use Lámh, and focus on specific signs, bringing Lámh signs to life as the drama unfolds. Dizzy Deliveries helps audiences to add Lámh to their own vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. All the wonderful young people including Jack Bolger aged 7 from Waterford featured in Dizzy Deliveries either use or have used Lámh in their everyday lives and the series aims to ensure equal and inclusive on-screen representation for the nation’s children with disabilities.

The Lámh Project was launched in October last year to coincide with the premiere of the series on national television.  It is a campaign of inclusion with the ambition of showing everyone how to say hello to everyone using Lámh, as demonstrated by Jack Bolger from Series 1. This multi-channel campaign aims to show the difference a simple ‘Hello’ can make to a child with intellectual disabilities or communication needs.

Since the campaign launch in October 2022, thousands of people in Ireland have learned to say ‘hello’ using Lámh. Today, as the Lámh sign system receives global recognition with the Dizzy Deliveries Clio Award, The Lámh Project is reissuing its national appeal for the public to learn how to say ‘Hello’ using Lámh, with the goal of enabling everyone in Ireland to be able to greet one another. This simple act can bring a smile to thousands, who may otherwise only currently communicate with their family, SNAs and teacher and other support staff.

Commenting on the Clio Award win, Cúán MacConghail, Executive Producer of ‘Dizzy Deliveries’ said:

“I speak for the entire team behind Dizzy Deliveries when I say that we are delighted and honoured to receive this recognition from the Clio Awards. It was very important to us that this show was designed to be fully inclusive, while fostering a movement of awareness for ‘Lámh’. The recognition from the Clio Awards highlights the importance of using media and entertainment as a platform to promote social good and inclusivity. We have been inspired by how well received it has been by viewers of all ages and we look forward to continuing to work with the Lámh Project on the ultimate goal of ensuring that everyone can say hello to everyone!

Mary Cullen, General Manager of Lámh

Clio Award Recognition for the Dizzy Deliveries series is a remarkable achievement, particularly in the category of Public Relations for Social Good. The integration of Lámh sign into a national broadcast production has been a dream come true for us and is a landmark moment for increasing inclusivity and representation in mainstream media and society for people with intellectual disabilities and communication needs in Ireland. The Lámh Project’s simple mission is to teach everyone to say hello using Lámh, and we hope to use this award milestone to continue the momentum to reach our ultimate goal of everyone being able to say hello to everyone!

To learn more about The Lámh Project visit: www.lamh.org/

Irish tech firm Konversational announces European expansion

Irish technology consultancy firm Konversational is expanding into Europe with the opening of offices in France, Germany and Switzerland with the expansion anticipated to generate revenue growth of over €5 million for the Dublin headquartered company.

The move is part of strategic commercial plans by Konversational to capitalise on the demand for customer experience technology management, and specifically in France and Germany, which account for over a quarter of the total EU market.

The development will see the tech consultancy opening offices in Paris and Nantes, Frankfurt and Zug in Switzerland with the creation of 32 new roles, primarily in programming and technical consulting. Konversational have ambitions to increase employee numbers to over 100 within the next 18 months, based on estimated projections.

Globally, the customer experience management market is valued at over €10 billion and growing rapidly as companies look to fast-track investment in digital infrastructure and keep pace with customer communications preferences.

Founded in 2020, Konversational is the largest and most experienced company working with ServiceNow, the world leading digital workflow company in customer workflow technologies, in Ireland and the UK.

This latest announcement builds further on its growing reputation, with the company only recently announcing a technology deal worth over €3 million with IT solutions provider Ergo, the Dublin headquartered firm which employs over 700 people globally.

John Gilleran, MD, Konversational said,

“We are moving into a new growth phase for the company and are looking to build on the back of several significant client wins across the UK and Ireland. Now is the right time to expand our market offering and to capitalise on the significant demand for customer experience management technologies.

“Since our foundation, we have enjoyed triple digit growth, owing to the priortisation of digital infrastructure investment by companies, who recognise the importance of harnessing the potential of technology to drive efficiencies and deliver an enhanced customer service offering in a competitive marketplace.

“In Vincent and Johann, we have two vastly experienced technology leaders, whose expertise and significant experience will play a crucial role in driving our operations, scaling our market offering and realising our commercial ambitions. “

Vincent Guiheneuc, Continental Europe VP, said, “Konversational’s position as the largest and most experienced company working with ServiceNow in customer workflow technologies, has placed them in an ideal position to engage with and support companies navigate the complexities of large-scale digital transformation programmes. We are excited to bring the Konversational approach to Europe and to begin the next chapter on this exciting journey.”

“There are significant opportunities across the French market and so too Germany; markets where there is a strong level of investment in digital technologies. We are confident that Konversational will bring a new dimension, with a best-in-class offering and we are excited to play a leading role in driving growth and to making a significant mark, added Johann Terrier, Continental Europe VP.

HPRA reports increase in detention of Semaglutide products sold illegally online

254 units of falsified Semaglutide detained in 2023 to-date, compared to 32 units throughout entire 2022

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) reminds the public of the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online, as it reports a significant increase in the detention of products labelled as containing Semaglutide.

Semaglutide is the active substance in products such as OzempicTM, RybelsusTM and WegovyTM. Figures released by the HPRA show that 254 units of products claiming to contain Semaglutide were detained between January and September 2023, compared to just 32 units throughout the entirety of 2022. Products detained include vials of white powder or clear liquid labelled as containing Semaglutide and boxed pens being presented as a generic version of the product. The HPRA is concerned that these falsified products are being sold online by unscrupulous parties. It reminds the public that prescription medicines purchased online can contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages, thereby threatening your health and the effectiveness of any essential treatment you require.

Grainne Power, Director of Compliance with the HPRA, stressed that it is not safe to purchase prescription medicines online and doing so puts your health at risk.

Ms Power particularly appealed to members of the public who may be considering purchasing products online claiming to contain Semaglutide or presented as Ozempic, Rybelsus or Wegovy.

“The Semaglutide products that we have detained, including generic versions of pens as well as vials containing powder, are all falsified medicines. We have no information on where they were sourced or where, and under what conditions, they were manufactured. There is actually no authorised version of Semaglutide in powder form and any product of this nature promoted online is fake or falsified. Likewise, there are no generic forms of Semaglutide and any product of this nature promoted online is again fake or falsified. There is no way to know what these products actually contain or the strength of any dose provided. They could represent a serious risk to your health.”

“It is always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional about any health concerns or symptoms you may have. We strongly urge consumers to source their prescription medicines through the standard practice of accessing a prescription from your doctor, which is dispensed through your local pharmacy. Moving outside of this legal supply route presents a real risk to your health. Anyone using Semaglutide products that have been purchased online should stop using them immediately and contact a medical professional if they have concerns regarding their health.” Ms Power said.

The HPRA reminds members of the public they can report suspicious activities around the supply of Semaglutide and other health products to the HPRA, in confidence, by emailing reportacase@hpra.ie or by calling 01 634 3871 or 01 634 3431. Further information for consumers on the dangers of purchasing medicines online is available here: Dangers of buying prescription medicines online

Uisce Éireann urges the public to ‘Think Before You Flush’ and help protect our environment 

Uisce Éireann and Clean Coasts have urged the public to continue to ‘Think Before You Flush’ as alarmingly a recent survey revealed an increase in the disposal of wipes and other sanitary products down the toilet. Those aged under 35 are almost twice as likely to dispose of products down the toilet, compared to those aged over 35, and almost three times as likely compared to those over 55.

Whether labelled as ‘flushable’ or not, wipes should never be disposed of in toilets. With the growing popularity of year-round open water swimming, it is important to remember that our flushing habits directly affect the environment and in particular rivers and coastal areas. Making minor adjustments in our daily habits can play a crucial role in preventing sanitary waste appearing along rivers, sandy beaches, rugged shores, and hidden bays.

Uisce Éireann and Clean Coasts have been steadfast partners for the last seven years with a joint mission to drive the Think Before You Flush Campaign and reduce environmental impacts through behavioural change. Despite this progress, there remains a pressing concern as there are still too many people flushing the wrong items down the toilet impacting our natural and built environment.

Tom Cuddy, Uisce Éireann said: “We know the awareness is there, we are just asking people to take a moment to consider their flushing habits and put litter in the bin rather than down the toilet. The impact of removing these products from our wastewater system is immense, and they unfortunately can ultimately end up on our beautiful beaches and rivers right across the country. As Uisce Éireann continues its journey of upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, it is important that we continue to work together to protect and enhance our environment. Every individual’s contribution counts, and by making conscientious choices about what we flush, we can collectively make a huge difference.”

Speaking about the campaign, Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts said: “Our message is straightforward: only the 3 Ps – pee, poo, and paper – should find their way into the toilet bowl. All other items must be placed in the bin. By following this practice, we can significantly reduce sewer blockages, minimise the risk of home and business flooding, and mitigate the environmental pollution that poses a threat to wildlife, such as fish and birds, their natural habitats and our coastlines. A minor change in our flushing behaviour can have huge benefits for our natural surroundings – simply dispose of wipes, cotton bud sticks, and sanitary items in the bin, not down the toilet.’

Report shows emerging risks to pharmacy workforce

PSI- The Pharmacy Regulator has launched first of its kind report in Ireland

• Report highlights the need for measures to ensure sustainable supply of pharmacists in patient-facing settings to meet current and future needs
• Findings provide a pharmacy perspective, for the first time, into national workforce planning initiatives for health and social care system

PSI – The Pharmacy Regulator has launched the Workforce Intelligence Report, a first of its kind in Ireland, examining the emerging risks to the future availability of pharmacists in patient-facing settings.

Its aim is to provide for a sustainable supply of pharmacists to meet current and future needs in patient-facing settings, and to enable pharmacy to play a full role in the development of the future integrated healthcare system.

The report contains six key recommendations with a series of actions, highlighting that a multi-agency stakeholder response is required to address the complex issue of workforce planning.

• Strategic Workforce Planning – Actions include the establishment of a multi-agency group focused on national workforce planning; the production of an annual workforce pharmacy survey report; mandatory workforce survey for all pharmacists.
• Leadership of and for the Profession – Actions include considering the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer; assessing the feasibility of a professional leadership body; setting and implementing a plan for the vision and role of pharmacy as part of future integrated healthcare; and developing a national strategy for the future role of pharmacy technicians.
• Innovation and Technology – Priority areas are the design and development of national eHealth projects with pharmacy involvement; introducing changes to reimbursement and regulatory processes that facilitate digital solutions to reduce the administrative burden associated with manual paper-based activities.
• Attracting and Recruiting Pharmacists – Actions include ensuring there are enough students being trained to meet demand; conducting an annual sentiment survey of student experiences; streamlining the recognition process for pharmacists from non-EEA countries who wish to practise in Ireland.
• Career Sustainability and Progression- Key items include access to dedicated leadership and governance training to support career progression, development and recognition of advanced and specialist practice.
• Working conditions – Actions include the establishment of a forum for community pharmacist employers and employees regarding best practice in relation to working conditions, expansion and promotion of a range of workplace health and wellbeing resources.

PSI Registrar and Chief Officer, Joanne Kissane, said:

“We are pleased to present this report, which we regard as a milestone for pharmacy workforce planning in Ireland. The challenges facing pharmacy are not unique to Ireland. Global trends correlated in the report show these challenges can be attributed to our ageing population and complex health conditions, combined with challenges in recruiting and retaining pharmacists.

 

“This work was undertaken with the objective of ensuring that we have a sufficient supply of trained pharmacists equipped to provide high-quality, safe, and effective services to the public. It is about ensuring improved patient outcomes and enhancing the healthcare system overall. It is our intention that we will continue to build upon the findings presented here today and continue to contribute data and insights about the pharmacy workforce to nationally led strategic workforce planning and modelling.”

Uisce Éireann reminds public to conserve water throughout the year

Over half of people in Ireland still admit to wasting water

• Greater Dublin region alone can see water use increase by up to 20 million litres per day during warm weather
• Appeal to curtail water usage regardless of the weather

Uisce Éireann has renewed its appeal to the public to ‘Think Water Conservation’ regardless of the weather. This comes as over half of Irish households (54%)* still admit to wasting water. Alarmingly, water use in the Greater Dublin Area can spike by up to 20 million litres per day during warm weather. As part of its annual campaign, Uisce Éireann called on households across the country to assess water usage habits and take practical steps to save water daily.

Simple water saving tips include:

• Checking your water consuming appliances such as washing machines and dishwaters for any plumbing issues. This includes looking out for dripping joints or leaking supply hoses
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than letting the tap run cold and save six litres a day
• Making sure the tap is off while brushing teeth can save 84 litres of water a week
• Reducing shower time by 60 seconds can save up to 120 litres of water every week
• 250 litres of water a week can be saved by fixing any leaking or dripping taps in the garden

Speaking of the importance of water conservation year-round, Margaret Attridge, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Water Operations, said:

“It is important to remain conscious of our water usage habits throughout the year, regardless of the weather. Some urban areas tend to see increases in demand around the end of summer as schools return and people start back to work after holidays. Also, as we come into autumn and winter, storms and other extreme weather can impact on the capacity to treat and produce clean drinking water. For this reason, water conservation is something we should think about year-round.

“By working together to use only what we need in our homes, gardens, and businesses, we can all contribute to ensuring a sustainable water supply for everyone. We are encouraging communities all over Ireland to play their part and think water conservation throughout the year.

Attridge also reminded the public that once again the Uisce Éireann Conservation Calculator is on hand to help households examine how much water they are currently using and identify changes they could make to reduce their use.

“The average water use of one person is 133 litres per day. The Conservation Calculator provides helpful advice for those wanting to ensure they use water responsibly to improve their score rating and is free for all households to use on our website. It offers practical advice on conserving water, to ensure we have a sustainable water supply for everyone in years to come. We are encouraging everyone to play their part with us and think water conservation”.

For further information visit www.water.ie/conservation/