Peter Aiken is a leading figure in the Irish music business.

When you look at the list of artists that Aiken Promotions have brought to Irish venues, you’ll see very few are missing from a “who’s-who” of global music stars. Peter’s ambition and passion for the business is at the heart of the operation and in this revealing conversation, you’ll begin to understand why the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran are so keen to work with him.

Among many highlights include:

• how Peter started as a 16 year old roadie for Rory Gallagher
• the story of how he persuaded Ed Sheeran to play Croke Park in 2015
• reflections on the uncertainty of the music promotion business
• the unlikely comeback of Justin Bieber
• how the modern hard-working professional musician has replaced the old rock’n’roll stereotype
• Peter’s reflections on the Garth Brooks saga of 2014
• what he learned from his late father, and pioneer in the business, Jim Aiken
• the story of how the popular Live At The Marquee series was born

Note: the occasional noise heard is the angry output of Storm Jonas hammering on the roof of The White Horse!

Music Promoter Peter Aiken at Smarter Egg’s The Business of Music at the Ballincollig Winter Music Festival at The White Horse. Photo Donagh Glavin

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This conversation was recorded at a special Smarter Egg event on the Business of Music at Upstairs at the White Horse, Ballincollig, Ireland in January 2016. The video footage was filmed and edited by AV3 Productions.

If you would like to get on our exclusive events list, getting first notice of forthcoming events along with more behind-the-scenes goodies, just sign up here.

Andrew Mangan is a broadcasting pioneer with a global reach.

Most famous through his stewardship of Arseblog, the most popular unofficial global platform for fans of Arsenal FC, Andrew is also a leading light in the world of podcasting, through Arseblog’s Arsecast, and his co-founding of Castaway Media.

Among many highlights from this in-depth conversation include:

• his teenage exploits in the world of pirate radio
• the unexpected disadvantage of growing up in a castle
• how the need to broadcast music resulted in a police pursuit
• the accidental origins of Arseblog
• the inevitable incompatibility of a creative person in non-creative jobs
• how an exciting acquisition by a US site almost killed the whole project
• the simple formula for generating revenue from the site
• Marc Maron’s inspiration and eventual appearance on the 738am podcast

Andrew Mangan, Arseblog in the Red Chair at the Smarter Egg Business of Sport event. Photo Donagh Glavin

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This conversation was recorded at a special Smarter Egg event on the Business of Sport at Upstairs at the White Horse, Ballincollig, Ireland in November 2015. The video footage was filmed and edited by AV3 Productions.

If you would like to get on our exclusive events list, getting first notice of forthcoming events along with more behind-the-scenes goodies, just sign up here.

Enda McNulty inspires people to fulfill their true potential.

In this fascinating conversation that makes an hour feel like twenty minutes, Enda shares some extraordinary stories and illuminating insights.

The conversation weaves two strands together: beginning with Enda’s personal story from winning an All-Ireland with Armagh through to developing his career working with elite sportspeople and businesses, and the powerful lessons and challenges on leadership and motivation that underpin the work that he does.

Among the many highlights include:

• the emotional turmoil of All-Ireland day
• the profound and lasting impact of success in sport
• the depression and pain that follows defeat at the highest level
• the importance of leaders and ‘cultural architects’ in any successful group
• the correlation between confidence and achievement in life
• the extraordinary story of Dessie Ryan, ex-FDNY firefighter
• an exploration of the concept of ‘mental toughness’
• the story of how Enda became involved in professional rugby
• the purpose and ambition of Enda’s work across many disciplines

Enda is CEO of Motiv8, working with elite sportspeople and businesses around the world.

Enda McNulty in the “Red Chair” at the Smarter Egg event at The White Horse, Ballincollig. Photo Donagh Glavin

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This conversation was recorded at a Smarter Egg event at Upstairs at the White Horse, Ballincollig, Ireland in June 2015. The video footage was filmed and edited by AV3 Productions.

If you would like to get on our exclusive events list, getting first notice of forthcoming events along with more behind-the-scenes goodies, just sign up here.

Ernest Cantillon is an ambitious young entrepreneur, making a real difference in the hospitality industry in Ireland.

In this entertaining interview, Ernest shares his story of how he has brought many businesses to life over the past decade, the approach that has been largely successful so far, and his ambitions for the future.

Among many highlights include:

•  the importance of good fortune and timing for any business
•  the subtle but significant differences across the hospitality sector
•  benefits of looking outside your own industry for inspiration
•  why a pint tastes better in your favourite pub
•  focus on what we’re good at, and hire others who’re better at the other stuff
•  why naivety might be our greatest asset
•  why it’s better to be lucky than good
•  the importance of building a culture of ownership in any business
•  avoiding change for the sake of change
•  “Freshness, friendliness & fun, packaged in a profitable way”

Ernest Cantillon is the owner of many thriving hospitality businesses such as Sober Lane and Electric.

Ernest Cantillon in the Red Chair at the Smarter Egg Event at The White Horse, Ballincollig. Photo Donagh Glavin

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This conversation was recorded at a Smarter Egg event at Upstairs at the White Horse, Ballincollig, Ireland in May 2015. The video footage was filmed and edited by AV3 Productions.

If you would like to get on our exclusive events list, getting first notice of forthcoming events along with more behind-the-scenes goodies, just sign up here.

Denis Collins is an ambitious New Yorker, making a real difference in his father’s homeland of Cork, Ireland.

In this open and candid Red Chair interview, Denis shares his perspectives on the technology industry and the unfulfilled potential of the Cork region. He also talks about his upbringing in The Bronx, how he grew into a 28-year international career with IBM and how his family are enjoying life in rural Cork.

Among many highlights include:

• why Cork’s European Tech Cluster has made great progress in social, commercial and academic terms
• the three pillar model that has underpinned much of the value Denis has created
• why some founders are trying to make a perfect meal when they need to be selling hot dogs
• how a focus on personal, commercial and social gains make any project a home run
• lessons that Denis has learned that he would share with his younger self
• if the belief about great access to government in Ireland is really true
• his vision for a Digital Quarter in Cork and greater development in the region
• how Ireland’s education system can be enhanced for the 21st century
• and why “You never get anything done if you’re worried about everybody”.

Denis is CEO of Smarter Dynamics, Chairman of LearnLode, Chairman of the board, IT@Cork, European Tech Cluster and a board member of Cork Chamber. He is also a proud New York Yankees fan.

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This conversation was recorded at a Smarter Egg event at Upstairs at the White Horse, Ballincollig, Ireland in September 2014. Smarter Egg clients from across the business spectrum were in attendance, along with other guests. The video footage was filmed and edited by AV3 Productions.

If you would like to get on our exclusive events list, getting first notice of forthcoming events along with more behind-the-scenes goodies, just sign up here.

Dan Kiely, CEO of VoxPro, joined us in our Red Chair and shared his story of building VoxPro from an uncertain business, with a small office over a pub, to a global business that has some of the world’s greatest companies amongst its clients.
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Cork Chamber had to wait almost two centuries for its first female president but they have found someone special in Gillian Keating.
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Bob Savage was one of the first employees of EMC in Ireland when they set up their international location in Cork in 1988. Twenty-five years on, he’s now Vice President & General Manager of the EMC Ireland Centre of Excellence, which employs over 3,000 people in the Cork region. Continue reading →

AJ Leon is a remarkable misfit.

On the eve of his wedding, he walked out on a successful and promising career in the financial industry. “If I didn’t walk away there and then, I would have been that guy for the rest of my life”.
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