PR is a critical element of brand building for any food business.  This practical session will see three experts give their own personal advice and tips on how best you can attract the attention of the media for your business. 

We are delighted to be able to host this event at the unique setting of Rathfarnham Castle (due to the nature of this venue, the maximum number of participants for this event is restricted to 60)

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan is a freelance food writer and editor, currently writing for House and Home magazine, OpenTable.co.uk and Georgina Campbell's Ireland Guide. Her work also includes creating online content for food businesses and editing client magazines. Dee is a member of, and website editor for, the Irish Food Writers' Guild and is Chairperson of Slow Food Dublin. You'll find her regularly speaking at food festivals and events or judging on a variety of awards panels. Keep up-to-date on her restaurant recommendations on Instagram or food news on Twitter @deelaffan 

Darragh McCullough

Darragh McCullough started out his career as a fulltime farmer after finishing a degree in agricultural science in UCD. However, he quickly realised that it was easier to talk about farming than actually do it! Since then he has worked as a columnist, reporter, editor and presenter for the Irish Independent, the Farmers Journal, RTE radio and TV, and has just completed his 15th(!) season as a reporter on Ear to the Ground. He recently decided to concentrate on his farming business, which includes 100ac of outdoor flowers, along with 150ac of cereals, onions, garlic, Christmas trees and a stake in a 520 dairy herd. When he's not farming he likes to talk about farming, tractors and the price of hoggets. 

Claire Buckley

Claire Buckley is the Managing Director of Buck & Hound – a Dublin based consultancy that offers PR, social media and event management services. Over the last decade, Claire has successfully managed household names including Dr. Oetker, Ben & Jerrys, Onken, Propercorn, Hennessy, Peroni and Kelkin. More recently she has collaborated with Kettyle Irish Foods and Guinness as well as Mor Irish gin and Supervalu Food Academy to create innovative campaigns that drive authentic share of voice and measurable results. www.buckandhound.ie 

This event is being led by LEO South Dublin and will be hosted in Rathfarnham Castle.  The event is open to all DFC members

http://rathfarnhamcastle.ie/plan-a-visit/

• 07.30 – 08.00:  Registration, tea/coffee and networking
• 08.00 – 08.15:  Opening and welcome  Colm Ward, Head of LEO South Dublin
• 08.15 – 08.35:  Dee Laffan, freelance food writer and editor, The dos and don’ts when contacting an editor/journalist
• 08.35 - 08.55:  Darragh McCullough, Print is Dead, TV is dying, social media is where it is at!
• 08.55 -  09.15:  Claire Buckley, Managing Director Buck and Hound, Cutting through the noise - simple PR tactics that drive awareness
• 09.15 – 09.30:  Q&A and Close