Kerryann Conway
Dún Laoghaire is home to a variety of businesses and enterprises, with new, unique creative organisations continuing to make the decision to choose our town to grow and develop from.
With the end of the pandemic restrictions almost in sight and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) forecasting strong growth in our domestic economy for the months ahead, it’s an exciting time for the people and businesses in Dún Laoghaire.
In this month’s Why Dún Laoghaire edition, we speak to Kerryann Conway of THE HIVE Agency, to find out what makes our town a great place to be for businesses and what exactly The Hive is all about.
THE HIVE Agency – the leading firm for media relations and strategic communications on your doorstep in Dún Laoghaire
Formerly known as Conway Communications, THE HIVE Agency has 15 years of experience in PR services, giving them extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry.
In her own words, Kerryann says the firm has “an instinct for what makes a good story”.
“We work with clients to conceive their story across the PR spectrum of corporate responsibility, brand communications, new product launches etc,” she says. “We craft it and tell it across comms platforms social media, influencer engagement, podcasting, digital advertising, sponsorship, experiential and of course media relations.”
THE HIVE Agency’s clientele continues to grow year-by-year with Conway telling how well-known brands such as Twitter, Dublin Bus, Moet Hennessy and Peroni have entrusted them for their public relations projects. Ireland’s top creatives and independent festivals such as St Patrick’s Festival, Culture Night and Body&Soul Festival have also chosen the firm for their communications.
“Here we have the best of all worlds, shops, restaurants, an established business network” – Why Dún Laoghaire was the right place to call home
When the pandemic first hit, many people were assigned to working remotely, with some deciding ultimately to remain at home or adopt the hybrid working model. However, for some this wasn’t possible and they do have to return to the office.
We are now more aware of our professional and personal time and how both are important in their own measures. Kerryann explains: “The pandemic made me realise that I was wasting 12 hours a week travelling to and from the office in town in traffic and I just don’t want that anymore.”
So why did Dún Laoghaire stand out? “Here we have the best of all worlds, shops, restaurants, an established business network, transport access, a buzzing atmosphere and of course, the Sea!”
Conway says she can see the pioneering approach local authorities are taking within the town in terms of businesses and is excited for what the future holds.
“I think it’s a place that suits who we are and where we are going. It also has a great business eco-system which we are only just tapping into and looking forward to exploring more,” she adds.
The healthy business ecosystem within the town helps keep businesses sustainable and operations local
While THE HIVE Agency operates with brands and businesses nationwide on their PR and communication needs, they understand the need to also keep business local and building a sense of community between enterprises.
“Business is personal and it’s always nice to work with and collaborate with your neighbour,” says Kerryann.
She explains how they recently worked with Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) to promote the graduate exhibition of final year students.
“A selection of the works of 400 of Ireland’s brightest creative minds were projected onto the walls of the LexIcon Library & Cultural Centre in Dún Laoghaire,” Conway explained. “The projection featured the country’s most inspiring, thought-provoking and diverse creative works from the students of Animation, Design and Visual Arts, Film and Media, Photography, Technology and Psychology.”
An exciting future from their base in Dún Laoghaire
As the world opens up and normality returns, THE HIVE is looking to the future with their skilled and creative team, evolving constantly to meet the needs of their clients.
“We recently developed sophisticated data-driven PR evaluation systems to impress even the most cynical boardrooms,” Conway teases. “We’ve street smarts and boardroom brains! Communications has changed in recent years and so have we, ever evolving.”
Dún Laoghaire looks set to be their forever home as Kerryann says the business will “continue to grow and expand and focus on honing our craft to the benefit of our brilliant clients, all from the comfort of our office in Dún Laoghaire”.
Personally for Kerryann Conway, she hopes to call our town home some day in the hopefully not too distant future.
“I am kicking myself I didn’t do it sooner [relocate to Dún Laoghaire]. I spent a lot of time here in my youth and always felt the pull back. I hope to live out here soon.”
