Newstalk To Reward Irish Business Success

Today, Newstalk 106-108fm launched a monthly initiative in association with Sage, Ireland’s leading business management software company, designed to support and promotes Irish businesses, business success and entrepreneurs. The ‘Newstalk Business Person of the Month’ and the ‘Newstalk Business Person of the Year, proudly supported by Sage, will be led by Newstalk ‘Down to Business’ presenter, entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star, Bobby Kerr, and Newstalk Business Editor, Ian Guider.

Businesses will be selected each month based on unique achievements in their field, from this list, three businesses people will be chosen for the final shortlist which will then be judged and voted on by an independent panel of successful businesspeople and entrepreneurs.

Each monthly winner will be announced on Newstalk Breakfast on the last Friday of the month and will feature on ‘Down to Business’ on the last Sunday of the month – exposing the successful businessperson to the station’s national daily audience of over 308,000. As well as being profiled on Newstalk the winner will receive a specially commissioned Newbridge Silverware pen with the overall winner receiving €1000 worth of Sage software/services.

Bobby Kerr and Ian Guider of Newstalk with Avril McArdle, Digital and Marketing Manager of Sage

Speaking at the launch, Bobby Kerr said: ‘There are companies and entrepreneurs in every corner of the country who are doing great and fascinating things to win new customers and stay ahead of competitors. These are the companies that are creating employment and supporting local commerce. Success should be rewarded and this is our way of rewarding great businesses. The initiative also showcases each monthly winner and provides exposure to potential customers and investors.’

Adding to this, Avril McArdle, Digital & Marketing Manager at Sage Ireland commented: ‘We are delighted to partner with Newstalk for this great initiative, as we believe it is important that businesses across Ireland, both small and large, are acknowledged for their tenacity and hard work, especially in such a tough climate. At Sage, we are inspired daily by the innovation, resolve and creativity of business owners and it is with initiatives like this that we can reward and recognize their success’.

Ian Guider, Newstalk Business Editor also said: ‘This is a great initiative that will put businesses on a national platform. There are no restrictions as to what businesses can be chosen. Small, medium and large businesses will all be considered. In particular, we will be looking for inspiring stories that will inspire our business listeners‘.

Each ‘Newstalk Business of the Month’ will automatically be shortlisted for the ‘Newstalk Business of the Year’ award, which will be announced in December.

The 2012 awards will run from August to December, with the initiative launching again in January 2013. For further information, please go to www.newstalk.ie