IAPI’s Effies Finalists Revealed: Discover Who’s About to Disrupt the Media Landscape and Why It Matters to Your Business Growth

Ever wonder what it takes to rise above the noise in today’s fierce media and marketing world? Well, the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) just served us a prime example by unveiling the finalists for the 2025 Effie Awards—an event celebrated not just for recognizing creativity but for spotlighting true marketing effectiveness that drives real commercial growth. It’s fascinating how these awards don’t merely pat backs but push Irish talent to compete on a global stage, benchmarking their brilliance against the world’s best. And with such a diverse and highly competitive range of submissions this year, it’s clear that innovation and impact are the currencies that rule the day. Mark your calendars for 17 October, when winners will be toasted at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre—and hey, if you’re as curious as I am to dive deep into who made the cut, you can check out the full list online. So, whether you’re a marketing maven or just someone who loves to see real results from real ideas, this update might just spark your next big inspiration. LEARN MORE

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The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) has announced the finalists for the 2025 Effie Awards and praised the “diverse and highly competitive range” of this year’s submissions.

Entries were assessed across two judging rounds in July and September by the Effie jury, which is made up of senior marketing, media, research and brand leaders.

The winners will be announced at a lunch on Friday, 17 October at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Tickets are now available at iapi.ie.

“Effie Awards Ireland is the only awards programme in this market that connects directly to a global benchmark of marketing effectiveness, which is a key driver for commercial growth,” said Siobhán Masterson, chief executive of IAPI.

“It not only celebrates Irish excellence but also gives our community the opportunity to measure themselves against international peers through the Effie Europe and Global Best of the Best competitions.

“We are grateful to all our judges for their commitment, and we warmly congratulate every finalist.”

The full list of finalists can be viewed here.

Gardai and Teneo win PRII Communication Impact Awards

An Garda Siochána was named the winner in three categories at the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) Communications Impact Awards in Dublin this evening.

The gardai’s public appeal for information regarding 99 persons of interest following the Dublin riots won in the Best Crisis/Issues Communication category, and the organisation also won Best Integrated Communication Campaign for its Trainee Recruitment Campaign.

The Garda Office of Corporate Communications, the gardai’s internal communication team, was named PRII In-House Team of the Year.

Teneo with Fáilte Ireland won the Most Impactful Print/Broadcast Media Campaign and the overall PRII Most Impactful Communication Campaign of the year for the campaign, The Tay’cation.

The full list of winners can be found here.

Murphy made Today FM managing editor

Nathan Murphy has been appointed as managing editor of Today FM following a recruitment process.

Murphy will begin work at the Bauer Media Audio Ireland station in October and replace Fyona Smith, who has served in the role since late 2022.

Murphy began his career with Today FM as a sports reporter in 2006, later moving to Off the Ball, where he became deputy editor and head of content as well as a leading broadcaster.

 “I’m incredibly proud to have the opportunity to return to Today FM and lead such a brilliantly talented and creative team,” Murphy told Radio Today.

“I’ve remained an avid listener over the past decade and look forward to building on Today FM’s unique connection with Irish radio listeners.”

Chris Doyle, chief executive of Bauer Media Audio Ireland, said: “His breadth of experience, coupled with his innate understanding of Irish audiences and his ability to identify and nurture talent, are key attributes he brings to this important role.

“Nathan will lead a passionate team, both in front of and behind the mic.”

Gatabeckaité takes on BBC role

Long-time Irish Independent political reporter Gabija Gatabeckaité has started as the BBC’s Dublin correspondent.

“After six brilliant years at @Independent_ie including four years in Leinster House, it’s time for a new adventure,” she wrote on X.

“I’m very excited to start as Dublin Correspondent at the BBC.”

Prior to joining the Independent in 2019, the DCU Journalism graduate was a reporter for the Roscommon Herald. She also wrote and edited for DCU newspaper The College View.

Trump files $15bn lawsuit against NYT

US President Donald Trump has filed a $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times and four of its reporters for undermining his candidacy and disparaging his reputation as a successful businessman ahead of last year’s presidential election.

Trump accused the news publisher of “spreading false and defamatory content” against him, and described the organisation as a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party.

The New York Times Company, journalists Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and publisher Penguin Random House were all named in the complaint.

The lawsuit was filed on Monday with the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida and states that the articles in question, as well as a book published by Craig and Buettner, were “specifically designed to try and damage President Trump’s business, personal and political reputation.”

The suit is Trump’s latest legal action targeting a major media outlet after suing the Wall Street Journal in July over the newspaper’s reporting about a birthday note Trump allegedly sent to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

In July, Trump settled a case against the CBS News programme 60 Minutes over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris for $16m.

He also settled a defamation suit against ABC News last year.

US talk show hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel have also been taken off the air after attracting Trump’s ire.

Colbert’s The Tonight Show was cancelled shortly after CBS parent Paramount settled the 60 Minutes case and will finish next year, while Jimmy Kimmel Live has been suspended “indefinitely” following the host’s comments about the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Rockshore use Keane’s star power to raise League of Ireland profile in campaign

Every week, Amárach and Future Proof Insights share exclusive findings from their PRIZM+ ad testing service, showcasing best practice creative advertising in Ireland.

Rockshore’s latest spot, “Time to Show Up,” brings Roy Keane back to Cork in a sequence of events that blends humour, nostalgia and cultural pride.

More than just a funny Keane cameo, this execution is designed to raise the profile of Rockshore’s sponsorship property, the League of Ireland.

By putting one of Ireland’s most recognisable football figures at the heart of the story, the ad ensures the sponsorship feels relevant, visible, and entertaining for fans.

But crucially, Keane’s star power doesn’t get him any favouritism, meaning this is one for the fans.

For marketers, this is an important reminder: sponsorships work hardest when they are activated through credible talent and stories that draw cultural attention to the property.

To learn more, CLICK HERE