By Business & Finance 
Picture from L-R Susie Horgan, Managing Director & Founder; Sarah Horgan, Director, Media & Crisis & Dublin Lead; Pat Lucey, Chair of Business Advisory Board, Springboard Communications
This week sees new and notable appointments at IAPI, Softworks, Springboard Communications, ESRI Ireland, and Changing Times Brewery
David Quinn, Maura Ashe, Stephen Rogers and Jenna Greene ( New Board Members)
IAPI ( Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland)
Picture L-R;Maura Ashe, Managing Partner, UM Ireland;David Quinn, Director & Founder, Bloom. Jenna Greene, new Futureheads Chair.
Following IAPI’s AGM on 28th November 2024, IAPI are pleased to announce the following ew board members: David Quinn, Director & Founder, Bloom; Maura Ashe, Managing Partner, UM Ireland (IPG Mediabrands); and Stephen Rogers, Creative Director, Droga5 Dublin have been appointed to the IAPI Board. Jenna Greene, Effectiveness Director, Omnicom Media Group, has been appointed as the new Futureheads Chair.
Speaking on his appointment, David Quinn, Director & Founder, Bloom said;
“I am delighted to be getting involved on a Board level with IAPI, after being an active member of the organisation for many years – including serving on the CCCI board for seven years as the IAPI representative. With over 26 years’ experience in the industry, I’ve seen lots of weird and wonderful things – and I’m excited to see what’s we as a board will do over the coming years.”
Maura Ashe, Managing Partner, UM Ireland added;
“I am honoured and excited to join the IAPI Board of Directors. Over the years, I have admired the remarkable work IAPI has accomplished in shaping and advancing our industry. I look forward to collaborating with this exceptional team to drive continued growth, innovation, and transformation in the advertising landscape.”
Stephen Rogers, Creative Director, Droga5 Dublin remarked;
“I’m delighted to be appointed to the board of IAPI. I want to use my time on the board to focus on the issues I believe are vital to the future of the creative industry in Ireland. Firstly, I firmly believe in the value of building a strong creative culture. Secondly, I believe it is our responsibility, as creative professionals, to encourage diversity in our industry. I’m looking forward to the work ahead over the coming months.”
On her appointment as Futureheads Chair, Jenna Greene said;
“As soon as this position became available, I felt very compelled to submit a nomination; I was excited about the opportunity to build upon all the great work already done by Adam and past members and determined to make a positive impact in shaping the future of our industry. With that being said, today I am absolutely delighted to be elected as the next IAPI Futureheads Chair and would like to sincerely thank the IAPI board and all voting agencies for their consideration and support.”
IAPI’s outgoing board members are Sean Hynes, Creative Director, Bonfire, Margaret Gilsenan, Chief Strategy Officer, Boys + Girls and Adam Brannigan, Group Account Director, Frank & Bear. They will be sorely missed as their contribution to the industry as IAPI Board members during their terms has been exceptional providing so much of their time, energy, expertise, and insight.
Christine Healy, Global Head of Projects, Cassandra Hogan, People & Learning Development Specialist, Leonardo Agustin Greco, Project Manager
Softworks
Sarah Horgan, Director of Media & Crisis and Dublin Lead.
Springboard Communications
Springboard Communications, the award-winning Irish communications agency, has officially opened its new Dublin office on St Stephen’s Green, appointing Sarah Horgan as Director of Media & Crisis and Dublin Lead. The opening reflects the agency’s continued growth, particularly among Dublin-based clients, and strengthens its ability to deliver enhanced communications support nationwide. Sarah Horgan brings over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, reputation management, and employee engagement. She has held senior roles as Head of Communications Strategy Management at Aer Lingus and Head of Corporate Affairs & External Communications at Vodafone.
As Director of Media & Crisis, Sarah will oversee Springboard’s media and crisis communications strategies, helping clients navigate reputational challenges and maximise their media impact. In addition to leading the Dublin office, she will play a key role in driving the agency’s growth across the region.
Susie Horgan, Managing Director and Founder of Springboard Communications, said:
“Opening our Dublin office marks a significant milestone for Springboard Communications. With a growing client base in the capital, this move strengthens our ability to deliver strategic, results-focused communications services. Sarah’s expertise, leadership, and deep understanding of corporate affairs will be a valuable asset as we continue to innovate and expand.”
Commenting on her new role, Sarah Horgan, Director of Media & Crisis said:
“Springboard is known for its impactful, purpose-driven communications, and I look forward to building on that success. As Director of Media & Crisis and Dublin Lead, I am excited to collaborate with our talented team to deliver communications strategies that make a real difference for our clients.”
Springboard Communications, the 2023 PRCA Agency of the Year, supports Irish and international clients across sectors including technology, FMCG, renewable energy, healthcare, and social enterprise.
For more information about springboard communications please visit springboardcommunications.ie
Eamonn Doyle, Technology Evangelist
ESRI Ireland
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is today announcing the appointment of Eamonn Doyle as Technology Evangelist. Prior to taking up this newly created role, Eamonn held the position of Chief Technology Officer at Esri Ireland for 18 years.
As Technology Evangelist, Eamonn will be responsible for inspiring and influencing key stakeholders throughout Ireland by showcasing the transformative potential of GIS technologies. In his new position, Eamonn will continue to support Esri Ireland’s technology sales and marketing functions by communicating and promoting the innovative use of Esri’s ArcGIS solutions to customers and prospects across all relevant sectors and industries.
Paul Synnott, Managing Director, Esri Ireland, said:
“I really welcome this important strategic appointment for Esri Ireland. Eamonn has huge experience in this industry and is recognised as a thought leader across the island of Ireland. He has always professed the art of the possible by engaging in a variety of speaking and writing engagements, as well as demonstrating the technical prowess of the ArcGIS platform with commitment, intelligence and flair.”
Commenting on his new role, Eamonn Doyle said:
“I’ve enjoyed my time as CTO at Esri Ireland, during which we have seen our technology footprint grow by orders of magnitude. ArcGIS is now the system of choice for hundreds of organisations both large and small across Ireland North and South. The recent appointment of a new Head of Technology, Rob Morrison, allows me to keep up the momentum with an exclusive focus on advocating externally for the powerful environmental, economic and societal benefits that our ArcGIS technology can manifest.”
Eamonn holds a BA in Geography and Economics from University College Dublin. He has been working with Esri technologies since 1987 and held Principal Consultant level roles in ICL, Fujitsu and Esri, prior to becoming CTO for Esri Ireland in 2006.
Patrick J Rigney, Chair of the Board
Changing Times Brewery
Drinks’ industry entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney has invested in Changing Times Brewery, the newly launched brewery in Glasnevin, Dublin backed by the families behind some of Dublin’s best known pubs.
Mr. Rigney will join the brewery as Chair, with his involvement bringing its total investment to over €2m.This investment mark’s Mr. Rigney’s first involvement in a brewery. Changing Times hope to utilise his extensive contacts, creative entrepreneurship, vast experience in bringing new brands to market and his global perspective in helping to establish and grow their brand and products.
Based along the banks of the Royal Canal, Changing Times, launched in November with two initial products, Daydreamer Lager and After Hours Pale Ale. The idea for the brewery came from listening to the feedback from customers over the years, which led to conversations between the publican families and then detailed discussions on creating their own brewery.
Patrick J Rigney is the Founder & Owner of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, behind renowned brands such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka and other globally recognised brands. Prior to founding The Shed Distillery with his wife Denise, the drinks’ industry pioneer was Instrumental in establishing Irish drinks brands as global leaders, including the world’s number 1 selling liqueur brand – Baileys – during its formative years. As Executive Director, Rigney went on to invent the then-revolutionary twin-bottle Sheridan’s Irish Cream Liqueur, becoming known across the industry as a creative entrepreneur with an unpredictable ‘maverick’ edge.
He has since gone on to invent over 20 other international drinks brands including the famous Boru Vodka/Castle Brands which developed a range of successful spirits brands before successfully exiting in 2005 through an IPO on the AMEX (NY, USA) with a valuation of over $100m. He owns Fastnet Brands, co-founded the Dalcassian Wine & Spirits and is an investor in Ovelle Pharmaceuticals, Horseware Products Ltd and the Walsh Distillery Company.
Changing Times Brewery, Chair Patrick J Rigney said;
“I was greatly flattered when I was asked to get involved in Changing Times Brewery, which I think represents a real innovation in the Irish beer market. What attracted me was the family dimension of this business, which very much aligns with our values in The Shed Distillery. The families behind this brewery are steeped in the pub heritage of Dublin and Ireland with years and years’ of experience in catering to their customer’s tastes. They are a part of the fabric of the Dublin’s social culture. Who could be better placed to deliver authentic, refreshingly Irish, locally brewed beers. I’m excited to come on board and to help them deliver a timely change for customers at the pub counter.”
Marcus Houlihan of The Long Hall said;
“It is absolutely fantastic to have a man of Patrick’s experience, creativity, innovation, connections and more join Changing Times. Everyone involved in the drinks’ industry recognises what a titan he is and his history of achievement. He has such a proven track record in launching brands, building up their customer base and expanding their markets. Having him involved with Changing Times adds a whole other dimension to our new brewery and we are all really looking forward to working with him to bring ‘change’ to pub customers across Dublin and beyond.”
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