MediaPLUS: Three sponsors Garrihy's return to 2FM

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Three Ireland has become the sponsor of 2FM Drive with Doireann Garrihy , the drivetime programme being hosted by Garrihy on her return RTé's pop station.

The show started on Monday (24 February), nearly nine months after Garrihy left 2FM Breakfast with Doireann, Donncha and Carl following five years at the helm.

Her departure was part of an exodus last summer, with former co-host Donncha O'Callaghan, the 2 Johnnies, and Jennifer Zamparelli also leaving the station.

Garrihy's new show will feature music and entertainment updates and regular features aimed at creating a fun and lively atmosphere.

Brokered by Core, the 12-month sponsorship includes 10 x 10-second sponsor-credited stings per show, sponsor-credited promos across the 2FM seven-day schedule promotions, outside broadcasts, listen-back and homepage sponsorship.

Aislinn O'Connor , marketing director at Three Ireland, said: “We are delighted to support this new show and wish Doireann and the team at 2FM great success.

"At Three, we have music and entertainment in our DNA and as Ireland’s fastest 5G network, this is a perfect partnership to connect us to 2FM listeners all over the country."

RTS Ireland Award nominees named

The nominations for the Royal Television Society Awards celebrating excellence in broadcasting in Ireland have been announced.

This year's awards, which received an unprecedented number of entries, are hosted by Virgin Media Television with support from Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Screen Producers Ireland along with broadcasters RTE , TG4 and Sky Ireland.

The winners will be announced at the Guinness Storehouse on 27 March

Speaking at the announcement, áine Ní Chaoindealbháin , managing director at Virgin Media Television, said: “We are delighted to host this year's RTS Ireland Awards and are looking forward to recognising outstanding achievements in the Irish broadcasting industry.”

Agnes Cogan , RTS Republic of Ireland chair, said: “It is my great pleasure to announce the fifth annual RTS Ireland Awards (Gradaim RTS), this year hosted by Virgin Media Television.

"RTS Awards are among the international gold standard awards for the TV industry, and an important showcase of the extraordinary talent evident across the country’s TV and Media industry.

"Our awards have already established themselves as a significant part of the calendar of the Irish TV and Media scene.”

The full list of nominees in scripted, live sports, sports documentary, news broadcasting, factual, current affairs, entertainment and animation & children's programming can be seen here.

The winners of the Outstanding Contribution Award, Breakthrough Talent Award and Audiences’ Choice Award will also be announced on the evening.??

Former TD Chambers joins Consello

Former Mayo TD Lisa Chambers has joined Declan Kelly's consultancy The Consello Group as director of public affairs.

Chambers failed to regain a Dáil seat in November's election after previously losing out in 2020. Over the past five years, she has served as deputy leader and then leader of the Seanad.

Consello said her new role will see her dealing with clients seeking Irish and European government and stakeholder advisory services, as part of Consello’s wider advisory offering.

Chambers was previously Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Defence, Brexit, Foreign and European Affairs and Chair of its Brexit Committee.

A barrister by profession, Chambers holds a degree in Commerce and Law from the 爱尔兰国立高威大学 and completed a Master's in Commercial Law from University College Dublin before being called to the bar at King's Inns in 2011.

She is also a former member of the Reserve Defence Forces. Chambers also unsuccessfully ran for the European Parliament in the elections last May, receiving 6.5% of first preference votes in Midlands-North-West.

Jennifer Bray moves to Sunday Times

Jennifer Bray is leaving her role as political correspondent with The Irish Times to become political editor of The Sunday Times Ireland .

Writing on X on Saturday, Bray said that she had recorded her last edition of the Inside Politics podcast and that she would miss her "brilliant colleagues" at the Irish Times.

"Delighted and excited to be heading over to the Sunday Times as their Political Editor in a few weeks," she added.

Bray joined the Irish Daily Mail in 2011, rising to deputy political editor before moving to the Irish Times in 2018. This will be her second stint with the Sunday Times, and she has also worked for the defunct Sunday Tribune.

Penguin Sandycove will publish her debut novel next year.

At the Sunday Times, she will join newly appointed head of content Philip Ryan , formerly of Irish Independent and THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT LIMITED , under editor Kieran McDaid .

Spotify and ElevenLabs create AI-narrated audiobooks

Spotify has started accepting audiobooks narrated by artificial intelligence (AI) software.

The streaming platform, which boasts 246m paid subscribers, has said the move will open the doors for more authors and expand their reach.

Spotify is using ElevenLabs – a start-up founded by two Polish entrepreneurs, developing AI-powered audio tools to create synthetic voices. It is seen as a cost-effective way to create “high quality” digitally narrated audiobooks.

Using the company’s AI software, authors can have their books narrated in numerous languages for distribution on Spotify.

In a statement, Spotify said: "We’re excited to begin accepting audiobooks from ElevenLabs, an AI software company that provides easy-to-use, high-quality voice narration technology.

"For authors looking for a cost-effective way to create high-quality audiobooks, digital voice narration by ElevenLabs is a great option.

"Authors can use the ElevenLabs platform to narrate their audiobooks in 29 languages, with complete control over voice and intonation."

AD LAB

This week's AD LAB focuses on Vhi's 'Because Your Health Means Everything' campaign.

Every week, Amárach and Future Proof Insights share exclusive findings from their PRIZM+ ad testing service showcasing best practice creative advertising in Ireland.

Vhi’s latest campaign, 'Because Your Health Means Everything', leans into the idea that true healthcare goes beyond quick fixes—it’s about looking after the whole person.

Neuroscience and behavioural insights reveal how the ad resonates emotionally and fosters trust, driving desired brand outcomes. The ad successfully captures and maintains attention, pulling audiences into its narrative.

For more on the results, click here.

To read the full article on BusinessPlus.ie just click here

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