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CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.
The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Ireland Report reveals a significant lack of trust in institutions and identifies a lack of understanding of new technologies as a key barrier to their implementation. This educational deficit can foster fear and hinder the integration of innovation into Irish society.
Next week’s Dargan Forum 2024 directly addresses these concerns by promoting understanding and trust around innovation while showcasing the positive impact of technology. With the Edelman report showing trust in NGOs, government, business, and media at just 47% in Ireland, the forum’s dynamic program of open and informative discussions is both timely and essential in facilitating conversations that shape a future where innovation benefits all.
Dublin, Ireland – One week from now, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers will converge at the Dargan Forum 2024 to explore the intersection of technology, empowerment and community building. Set in venues across picturesque Dún Laoghaire, an historic hotbed for innovation, the Dargan Forum 2024 intends to ignite conversations and inspire innovation, laying a path to digital, green future for Ireland’s communities.
Opening this year’s conference with expert insight into how technology can serve people and places is Bobby Healy, CEO of MANNA Drone Delivery, who will share his company’s inspiring vision for a net zero future for deliveries. Keynote speakers include Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Digital Transformation; Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission; David Curtin, CEO of .ie; and Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation which recently announced a strategic partnership with the Dargan Forum.
Other key event partners include Irish Rail, Connected Hubs, Søstrene Grene and Fáilte Ireland. Bank of Ireland is also a long-term supporter of the work of the Dargan Institute through the Dargan Hub, Dún Laoghaire.
With only one week to go you can secure your place at this exciting, innovative free event by visiting the Dargan Forum website:
RegenoMac is the winner of this year’s IDEATE Ireland competition, claiming a €10K prize fund. Led by Dr Cormac Flynn of the University of Galway, RegenoMac is developing an innovative gel injection for patients with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy who experience significant vision loss.
Pictured l-r is David Moffitt, Chair, IDEATE Ireland, with Dr Sean Doyle and Dr Cormac Flynn from University of Galway.
The first runner-up was Neuropause Medical, led by Dr Maria Galve Villa of University College Galway who won a prize fund of €7K.
First Runner up, L-R Niall Morris Key Capital, Dr Maria Garve Villa Neuropause medical
Joint second runners-up were NutraTreat, founded by Dr Ronan Bergin and Dr John Stephens of Maynooth University and Lion’s Reign a team from University College Cork (Sean O’Sullivan and Giana Nuncia) who share a €3K prize.
Second Runner up L-R Peter Keane Each and Other, Dr John Stephens and Dr Ronan Bergen Nutra Treat
Speaking about his experience of the programme, Dr Cormac Flynn, Founder and Commercial Lead of of RegenoMac said: “IDEATE Ireland transformed RegenoMac’s journey, clarifying our value proposition and creating a compelling, investor-ready pitch. The inspiring sessions and the energised cohort kept us motivated and brought all projects closer to commercial readiness and investable status.”
Second Runner up L-R Peter Keane Each and Other, Sean O Sullivan and Giana Nuncio Lions Reign
IDEATE Ireland is a third-level start-up competition committed to enhancing cooperation, connection, and mutual understanding on the island of Ireland, engaging with all communities and traditions around a shared passion for entrepreneurship and new venture development. IDEATE Ireland seeks to uncover and empower Ireland’s next generation of entrepreneurs, helping to turn their brilliant ideas into thriving international businesses. The ten best submissions participated in a ten-week mentoring and support programme.
Congratulating the finalists, IDEATE Ireland Chair David Moffitt said: “IDEATE Ireland represents an exceptional shared island initiative that is actively shaping the future of start-ups emerging from higher education. The competition’s notable success underscores the significance of consistently providing aspiring entrepreneurs from Ireland and Northern Ireland with invaluable educational resources, mentorship, and a thriving business network. IDEATE Ireland has become a source of inspiration for the brightest minds, fostering their ability to make a lasting impact on the global economy, employment, and society as a whole.”
Co-founder of IDEATE Ireland, Helen Fullen, said: “Once again, the quality of submissions this year has exceeded expectations, showcasing an exceptionally high standard. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners! We are committed to supporting them on their entrepreneurial journey and proudly welcome them to the IDEATE Ireland alumni community.”
AgriNaviTech is a GPS-enabled livestock management system designed to address the challenges of tracking and managing livestock. It offers precision tracking, health monitoring and data analytics through a user-friendly mobile app interface, revolutionizing traditional farming practices for improved efficiency, sustainability and security. Ulster University
Clean Kicks specializes in creating hand-painted footwear to express customers’ unique styles. Blending artistry with functionality and offering a spectrum of colours and designs, from detailed brushstrokes to effortless colour transformations, each pair of shoes is a true reflection of personal flair. Ulster University
Lion’s Reign is Europe’s only producer of mushroom-based jerky, uniquely crafted from Lion’s Mane mushrooms. This innovative snack offers a flavourful and meat-like texture, specifically designed to appeal to the expanding market of vegans, vegetarians, and those conscious of their environmental impact. University College Cork
Neuropause Medical’s revolutionary ultrasound-based device offers a non-invasive, medication-free solution for severe hot flushes and night sweats, designed for menopause healthcare professionals to transform symptom management safely and effectively. University of Galway/UCD
NutraTreatoffers a non-pharmaceutical solution for alleviating arthritis symptoms in dogs through a nutritious treat made with innovative, science-backed ingredients. Using a computer-driven discovery platform, NutraTreat plans to develop various products to address multiple health conditions. Maynooth University
RegenoMacis an innovative gel injection designed for patients with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy who experience significant vision loss. It integrates into existing care pathways and features a unique, slow-releasing drug mechanism, providing effective treatment where other therapies have failed.
University of Galway.
Renovate Pharma is developing various repurposed drugs in novel nebulized formulations for inhalable antifibrotic treatments. These therapies seek to manage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases, reducing lung
function loss and mortality in conditions currently without a cure. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Shergardis a digital platform for horse racing training businesses, enhancing organizational efficiency and professional standards. It focuses on the well-being of horses and their owners, helping trainers streamline operations and excel in the digital age. University of Galway
VioFeel’sAugmented Vestibular Assistant helps individuals with vestibular disorders by using wrist vibrations to transmit orientation data from movement sensors. This device aims to enhance the vestibular sense, improve balance and well-being, and offer an affordable, efficient path to a better quality of life. Queen’s University Belfast
Wild Thinkersis a digital product providing sustainability education and consultancy through a unique blend of design thinking, storytelling, play, and creativity. Their digital tools inspire individuals to engage intellectually and emotionally, promoting a hands-on approach to the transformative actions necessary to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. University College Cork
Global voices have united in concern about the “hate speech” bill pending before Irish parliament, as 1 in 4 Irish say they are worried about the erosion of free speech.
Speaking at the Irish parliament this month, “Twitter Files” journalist Michael Shellenberger stated clearly that “there is no hate crisis in Ireland” and that the case for censorship was brought about by “elite panic” trying to stifle open conversation and discourse among the Irish people.
The bill would make it an offence to possess (for distribution) material that could lead to “hatred” in Ireland, with punishment of up to 5 years in prison.
The bill would also impact the right to share views on social media across much of the world, with directors and executives of social media platforms with international HQs in Ireland (X, Facebook, and more) held accountable to the Irish government if found to be platforming undefined “hate speech”.
“The world is watching Ireland. As the home of various international social media headquarters, the bill would have a global impact on what we can all discuss online.”
“The world is watching Ireland. The censorial “hate speech bill”, if passed, would not only shut down conversation nationally – as the home of various international social media headquarters, it would have a global impact on what we can all discuss online.
“A sweeping ban on undefined “hate” gives authorities the power to determine which viewpoints are acceptable to voice. World history warns us that such power can be easily abused,” said Michael Shellenberger, international bestselling author and journalist behind the “Twitter Files”.
Far-reaching consequences
On the same day, giving the keynote address at the Ireland Free Speech Summit, which sold out amongst members of the public, Shellenberger suggested the goal of the bill may be to “censor the entire internet”.
The bill offers no clear definition of what “hate” entails. Experts warn this could pave the way for the criminal prosecution of a wide range of expression considered unfavorable by authorities.
The bill would further make refusal to give a password to an electronic device a crime, which would allow authorities to search and possibly find materials that are “hateful”.
1 in 4 Irish concerned about right to free speech being eroded
New national polling commissioned by ADF International reveals a deep-seated concern amongst the Irish for the erosion of free speech, with a quarter revealing they already feel restricted in expressing their views and opinions in social settings like a pub, or in their place of work or study.
In the survey, conducted by Whitestone Insight*, 90% confirmed that free speech was “very important” to them – while the Irish parliament debates new and wide-ranging “hate speech” legislation, with egregious implications for the basic human right to free speech.
“The proposed “hate speech” legislation would be one of the worst examples of censorship in the modern West. The bill purports to stamp out ‘hate speech,’ but fails to define what ‘hate’” is – allowing authorities to censor any speech the state opposes.
That’s why voices from around the world are speaking up for the right to debate and discuss ideas – here in Ireland, and everywhere,” said Lorcan Price, Irish Barrister and Legal Counsel for ADF International.
Global voices speak out against censorship
At the 2024 Free Speech Summit in Dublin on 18th June, international free speech champions gatheredwith politicians to highlight the issues at stake under the bill.
“Father Ted” screenwriter Graham Linehan was among the famous faces gathered, challenging attempts to censor Ireland:
“We’re all coming together with different viewpoints, beliefs, and perspectives – but we agree on one thing. We should be allowed to freely discuss and debate ideas in Ireland. Our free speech must not be curtailed by a censorial government. It’s essential that the parliament consider the draconian impact that the hate speech bill could have on Irish society – and keep the public square open for all,” said Graham Linehan, screenwriter of “Father Ted”, who is billed to speak at the Summit.
Independent Senators Rónán Mullen and Sharon Keogan spoke out against the bill, with Mullen highlighting that this bill is “far too vague”:
“When it comes to democracy, I believe in it. When it comes to the right to test each other’s ideas, I believe in it. And we can’t do that if we’re operating under the chilling fear of giving offence to somebody who wraps that up as hatred, claims that it’s against the law, attacks you as a mob online, causes social media companies to take down your stuff so that you’ve failed to communicate before you even begin to try…If nobody was ever prosecuted under this law, the process itself would become the punishment,” said Mullen in his address.
Also speaking up at the event were cleric and broadcaster Fr Calvin Robinson; Cambridge academic Dr. James Orr; Irish journalist Laura Perrins; Philosophy Professor Gerard Casey; feminist campaigner Laoise de Brún; GB News host Andrew Doyle; psychotherapist and Director of Genspect, Stella O’Malley; and international bestselling author Andy Ngo.
Speaking to censorship within the gender debate specifically, Genspect director and psychotherapist Stella O’Malley said:
“I am finding the gender world increasingly hardline, and there is a lack of understanding about the importance of free speech, which is a cornerstone and a fundamental to a civilisation. We need to be able to speak about this freely rather than stumbling over what is the fashionable phrase to use right now.”
*Methodology note: Whitestone Insight surveyed 1,027 Republic of Ireland adults online from 15th-20th March 2024. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables are available at whitestoneinsight.com.
Today’s Irish workers already trust AI to do almost half of their work tasks, according to new Salesforce research. While workers feel most comfortable when AI and humans work together, they are also beginning to trust AI to complete time-saving tasks autonomously, like writing code, uncovering data insights, and drafting written communications.
Workers aren’t ready to trust everything to AI just yet. The research shows that workers prefer tasks like onboarding, training, and keeping data safe to be overseen by humans. But this may not be for long. The data also suggests that investing in knowledge and education builds trust in an autonomous AI future.
Why it matters: As technology advances, people are getting a glimpse into a future in which AI can operate entirely on its own. The Salesforce research, which surveyed 253 people across Ireland, revealed that workers are excited about an AI-powered future. They also stressed the importance of a human touch as they build trust, knowledge, and experience with AI tools. Responses formed part of a survey of nearly 6,000 respondents around the world.
The research found:
Irish workers are offloading tasks to AI and beginning to trust an autonomous future
Workers today trust AI to do roughly 40% of their work tasks, indicating a shift among workers to offloading tasks to AI.
74% of Irish workers will eventually trust AI to operate autonomously. This number includes:
7% of workers who trust AI to operate autonomously today
20% of workers who will trust AI to operate autonomously in less than three years
47% of workers who will trust AI to operate autonomously in three or more years
While Irish workers prefer AI-human collaboration, they’re starting to trust AI for certain tasks
Today, Irish workers trust humans and AI to do most tasks together:
61% trust humans and AI to uncover data insights together
59% trust humans and AI to write code together
55% trust them to develop internal and external communications together
When asked if these workers trusted AI to do any of these same tasks autonomously, the answer, for a small group, was some. Tasks they felt comfortable with offloading to autonomous AI included:
15% trust AI to write code autonomously
13% trust AI to uncover data insights on its own
11% trust AI to develop internal and external communications without a human
14% trust autonomous AI to act as their personal assistant
Other tasks, according to respondents, require having a human involved right now. Irish workers are most likely to trust humans alone to do the following:
47X% trust humans alone to be inclusive
47% trust humans alone to onboard and train employees
43% trust humans alone to keep data safe
Autonomous AI is on the horizon, but human enablement and involvement are needed to get there
Human involvement is needed to build trust in AI:
66% of Irish workers say more human involvement would build their trust in AI
Concerns about AI may come from a lack of understanding:
46% of Irish workers say they do not know how AI is implemented or governed in their workplace
According to the global data, workers who are knowledgeable about how AI is implemented and governed in their workplace are 5x more likely to say they will trust AI to operate autonomously within the next two years than those who are not knowledgeable.
Training may be another key to trusted autonomy:
58% of Irish workers say more skill-building and training opportunities would build their trust in AI
Salesforce perspective: “Workers are excited about an AI-powered future and the research shows us that human engagement can help us get there. By empowering humans at the helm of today’s AI systems, we can build trust and drive adoption – enabling workers to unlock all that AI has to offer.” – Paula Goldman, Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer
Go deeper:
Read a byline from Paula Goldman about why today’s AI needs a human at the helm
See what the team at Salesforce Futures has to say about AI Agents
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, SFI CONNECT Centre for Future Networks & Communications (CONNECT), Maynooth University and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital announced a new partnership today to introduce an innovative health app.
This application has been specifically developed using award-winning technology deployed by many UK-based hospitals and is designed to provide essential tools and information for patients living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), supporting improved health outcomes and quality of life right from their homes. The app also enables medical teams to educate patients about their condition and encourages proactive health management.
PAH is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the lungs with an annual incidence rate of 3.11 patients per million of the total population of Ireland. Symptoms of PAH include: breathlessness, particularly during physical activity; fatigue; dizziness; syncope (fainting or passing out); peripheral oedema (swelling to lower legs or hands) and chest pain.
These symptoms can severely impact a patient’s ability to carry out normal daily activities. As the disease progresses, some patients may experience constant dyspnoea (shortness of breath or breathlessness) and fatigue so that even simple tasks, such as getting dressed and walking short distances, become difficult which can severely impact a patient’s quality of life.3
The Mater Hospital is the National Centre of Excellence for PAH and is attended by patients from across Ireland. The initial rollout of the app will benefit up to 250 people living with the rare disease who attend the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment, empowering them to manage their disease more effectively, from their homes.
The app’s integration into the patients’ care routine is expected to:
Improve the quality of life of patients, empowering them to self-manage elements of their condition through access to credible and localised information about the management of their condition, their treatment pathways and online support services.
Improve medication adherence by providing patients with medication support and education.
Reduce hospital appointments by providing patients with self-management information and the use of a health tracker to enable patient-initiated reviews. This would positively impact patients who are not located close to the hospital, to reduce the burden of travel, parking and support from loved ones.
Provide holistic guidance and education to patients on their emotional, physical and nutritional wellbeing with the aim of improving their quality of life.
Improve the quality of care through personalised, up-to-date medical advice from trusted clinical teams as well as deploying remote education for healthcare professionals through the app.
Enhance the experience of healthcare professionals by streamlining patient interactions and reducing administrative burdens, creating greater efficiencies that benefit both the professionals, and the patient.
This partnership brings together the expertise and resources of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, formerly known as Janssen, alongside Maynooth University, CONNECT and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital to offer innovative support for patients. It underscores the commitment of both public, private and academic sectors to enhance patient care, improve quality of life, and address the increasing demands on the Irish healthcare system, serving as a national pathway personalised to local clinical and system needs.
A presentation about the new app will be made today at the International Digital Health Summer School 2024, hosted at the Innovation Value Institute, Maynooth University.
Developed by Health and Care Innovations (HCI), the CONNECTPlus app has been designed in collaboration with nurses, clinicians and PAH patients, to ensure it closely supports the local pathways of care, patient needs and challenges faced by people living with PAH which will be optimised over time to incorporate user feedback.
Speaking about the partnership, Lisa Wallace, Business Unit Director and Head of Business Transformation at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine said, “This partnership aims to not only support patients living with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but also reduce the demand on a busy health system, improving the quality of care and supporting the clinician’s engagement with patients. We are living in a world where the demand for healthcare is increasing, and we need to shift to innovative ways of working where more patients are at the centre of personalised care that is delivered closer to home.”
Martin Curley, Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University and Digital Health Lead at Innovation Value Instituteand CONNECT Investigator said, “Digital transformation has emerged as a vital catalyst in optimising clinical pathways for both patients and healthcare professionals. By embracing technology, we are unlocking new opportunities for seamless collaboration, efficient data management, and personalised healthcare experiences. This initiative is a great opportunity to empower patients as well as healthcare providers with the tools and insights needed to deliver timely and effective care, ultimately transforming the way we navigate and improve patient outcomes.”
Prof Sean Gaine, Consultant Respiratory Physician at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital said: “Our teams are actively involved in shaping this innovative app to ensure the technology will best suit the needs of our patients and support our goal of empowering people living with PAH to play an active role in the management of their disease. We are delighted to deliver this new innovation to help patients better manage their condition.”
Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the AWS Public Sector Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Initiative. The two-year, $50 million investment is designed to help public sector organizations – and those that directly support their technology needs – to accelerate innovation in support of critical missions using AWS generative AI services and infrastructure, such as Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Q, Amazon SageMaker, AWS HealthScribe, AWS Trainium, and AWS Inferentia.
As part of this initiative, AWS is committing up to $50 million in AWS Promotional Credits, training, and technical expertise across generative AI projects. Credit issuance determinations will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the customer’s experience developing new technology solutions, the maturity of the project idea, evidence of future solution adoption, and the customer’s breadth of generative AI skills.
The Impact Initiative is open to new or existing AWS Worldwide Public Sector customers and partners from enterprises worldwide who are building generative AI solutions to help solve society’s most pressing challenges.
Across the public sector, leaders are seeking to leverage generative AI to become more efficient and agile. However, public sector organizations face several challenges such as optimizing resources, adapting to changing needs, improving patient care, personalizing the education experience, and strengthening security.
To respond to these challenges, AWS is committed to helping public sector organizations unlock the potential of generative AI and other cloud-based technologies to positively impact society.
This global initiative is open from June 26, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Benefits and resources will include:
Tailored training: Check out the latest trainings to help you achieve your go-to-market goals and business needs.
Generative AI Innovation Center expertise: Ideate, identify, and implement generative AI solutions securely with guidance from the Generative AI Innovation Center.
Technical support: Learn from AWS technical experts and tutorials to optimize your generative AI build with Well-Architected Framework.
Networking and free builder sessions: Access to registration for no-cost AWS Summit events around the world.
Global thought leadership opportunities: Showcase your AWS Generative AI Impact Initiative success stories with AWS marketing efforts.
The AWS Public Sector Generative AI Impact Initiative builds on our ongoing commitment to the safe, secure, and responsible development of AI technology. For example, AWS is a contributing partner to the National Science Foundation’s National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), which provides U.S.-based researchers and educators access to advanced computing, datasets, models, software, training, and user support for AI research.
Looking for a new controller well the new Special Edition G7 SE Controller from GameSir and Eneba might just be the one for you to check out, I am a gamer but nothing like I was years ago but still have the latest consoles and play them from time to time when I get a chance which is some weekends and the odd day during the week I would love to take it up full time like I did in the Streetfighter/Castlevania and Super Probotector days when I was never of my consoles and still have some old ones today I kept which I sometimes post on social when reminiscing in the past but time is an issue but I feel like I might just make time soon.
I do like a good controller and gaming peripherals though and have reviewed some in the past and this one caught my eye as I have a thing for things that catch your and this controller does exactly that.
Having tested this out for several weeks and having friends and family give it a go we all conclude the same result and it is one of the best controllers used here at techbuzz headquarters and given my time with it I certainly agree with how it feels in the hand and how your gaming can advance with the amount of customization that can be put into it here and not only that is looks great and again all that tried it said the same.
Check out the video for much more and see what you get for your hard earned cash.
Special Edition G7 SE Controller from GameSir and Eneba – techbuzzireland
Features
Play on almost anything: The G7 SE works with Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S, or Windows 10 and up on PC (including Steam).
Super precise control: Hall Effect joysticks and triggers use magnets for smooth, accurate movements that don’t wear out over time. It’s the control and precision that competitive gamers dream of.
Customize your way of play: Two additional buttons on the back can be programmed for fast actions. The back quick-latch can disable the rear buttons and prevent unintended input with a simple push. With the GameSir Nexus software, you can also create different profiles with unique button layouts.
Swappable faceplate: Utilizing magnetic technology, gamers can easily personalize the G7 SE by changing its faceplate with bare hands.
Toggleable trigger mode: Hair-trigger mode is perfect for fast-paced games, while analog trigger mode provides realistic feedback akin to an accelerator. Trigger sensitivity can be adjusted in the software too.
Comfy grip, long sessions: The G7 SE feels good in your hands thanks to the textured back grip.
Feel the rumble: Dual symmetric vibration motors bring your games to the next level with immersive feedback.
Plug in your headphones: The audio jack lets you connect your headset directly to the controller for easy chat and clear audio.
Lights to keep you informed: An LED indicator that shows your connection status.
Built to last: The braided 3-meter detachable USB-C cable is super durable, so you don’t have to worry about it fraying or breaking.
The controller is available globally through GameSir, Amazon, and retailers at 65.99 USD / 71.95 EUR, and comes with an Eneba Gift Card to stock up on our marketplace. Eneba is the ultimate source of digital entertainment with over 10M registered users and over 40,000 unique digital products to pick from.
A new survey from Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, has revealed that 60% of adults in Ireland aged under 35 would like a job as a social media influencer as a source of income. In total, 48% of the adult population would consider a job as a social media influencer.
The research, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom as part of its Connected Lives survey, examined how people in Ireland use social media and their attitude towards influencers.
The research found that of those who expressed an interest in pursuing a job as an influencer – and who have full-time jobs – 56% believe they would earn more money than they do now. This means that 27% of full-time employees in Ireland believe that they could earn more money as a social media influencer than they do in their current job.
The top reasons given for wanting to be a social media influencer are having an interest in it (49%) and getting free products and services (32%). On the other hand, the top reasons given by those who would steer clear of an influencing career were a lack of interest (38%), followed by a belief that they would not be good at it (37%), as well as privacy concerns and the pressure of public scrutiny (30%).
The survey showed insights into the effect of social media influencers on our shopping habits. Over two in five (44%) of social media users said that influencers have an impact their purchasing decisions and choices.
This impact was most noticeable among Generation Z (those aged 26 and younger), with nearly just over half (54%) reporting that influencers impact such decisions. As the age profile increased, the impact waned – still, more than a third (34%) of Baby Boomers (aged 59-77) said their choices had been swayed by influencers.
While not everyone can be an influencer, Pure Telecom’s research found that we are a nation of frequent social media posters. Nearly half (45%) of the population said that they post at least once a week on their chosen social media platforms.
More than one-in-10 (12%) post on social media every day or more, rising to 16% for Baby Boomers, who are the most likely generation to post daily.
The potential consequences of posting too much were also laid bare, with nearly half (47%) of social media users revealing that they mute people if their posts become irritating.
It appears nobody is safe in this regard, with nearly one in three (32%) social media users admitting to muting a friend and one in five (21%) having done the same to a family member. In more extreme cases, one-in-10 have actually ended a friendship due to someone’s social media posts, and 5% had ended a romantic relationship.
Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said:“These figures show that online influencing has become a mainstream career consideration for many as we see an entire generation of digital natives becoming hard-working adults. Increased connectivity means that we can consume media wherever we are. With that ease of access, people are now turning to influencers for tips and inspiration on the things that are important to them – be that feeling good about themselves, cooking nutritious family meals or simply having a laugh. So, is it any wonder that so many of us want to use our talents, knowledge or interests and make a career out of them while making people happy at the same time?
“Whether people want to be in front of the camera influencing or behind the screen watching, we at Pure Telecom are committed to providing the connectivity to make it happen.”
The car subscription service :Dribe offers car distributors franchising opportunities, which includes a digital end-to-end platform and concept designed to foster growth through flexible subscriptions. The platform integrates with the franchisees’ existing resources and operations, and the concept is attracting car distributors from all over Europe.
:Dribe has big plans for expansion throughout Europe. The Danish car subscription service offers car distributors in the UK, Benelux, France, and Germany a unique opportunity to seamlessly integrate subscriptions into their operations.
:Dribe has developed a scalable subscription concept and a plug-and-play model designed to strengthen the franchisee’s market position by meeting the need for a flexible mobility solution with short commitments and flexibility regarding car model, size, and energy source.
:Dribe, which is owned by Denmark’s largest automotive player Semler Group, is seeing a growing interest from car distributors across Europe, which pleases :Dribe CEO Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard.
– We are incredibly happy with the numerous inquiries from car distributors in Europe. We find that many car distributors want to incorporate subscriptions into their product line but lack the necessary resources to independently develop a new business area. Our plug-and-play model is designed to simplify that process, says Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard, adding:
– The high level of interest only confirms an international market need for flexible car access. This is also supported by research, such as a study from McKinsey & Company, which shows that one in three European car customers is open to trying a vehicle subscription in the future.
:Dribe’s concept is developed for franchisees to seamlessly integrate subscriptions into the company’s existing operations. Automated processes for everything from billing to car inspections reduce manual work.
Additionally, the concept includes advanced data collection and Business Intelligence tools for targeted customer communication, as well as comprehensive brand assets, an integrated website, and statistical modules for optimized operations.
Successful Franchising in Greece
The renowned Greek car distributor Kosmocar, employing over 180 staff members, was :Dribe’s first international franchisee. Kosmocar’s implementation of the subscription model has since led to a steadily growing customer base and nearly 10,000 downloads of the app.
Additionally, Kosmocar has achieved massive media coverage following a launch event attended by 60 journalists, resulting in over 100 media mentions within a few days, according to CEO Yiannis Emirzas.
– We chose :Dribe’s plug-and-play solution to automate processes and simplify operations, and we are very pleased with the partnership. It has elevated our brand’s positioning in the market as technologically strong, innovative, and focused on the modern end user’s needs. We have swiftly attracted a new and broader customer base, which was a key focus for us, says Yiannis Emirzas, adding:
– Everything from damage registration to invoicing has become more efficient with the digital backend system. It reduces resource requirements and increases operational efficiency. The innovative approach has helped us adapt to the changing market and stand out in a dynamic industry.
