Here on the darkest day of the year, we can still manage to find the silver lining as we look back on the last year at Stillwater Communications. Over the past year we’ve worked with exceptional companies and people whose stories and expertise continue to excite us. This year in particular we found ourselves working with more and more charities, both Irish and international start-ups and the retail and pharma sectors. Cilian was also given a once in a lifetime opportunity to produce one of the major TV highlights of the 1916 Commemorations.
So, as 2016 draws to a close and we prepare to wind down our offices here on Dame Street, we look back at some of Stillwater’s highlights…
Girl Takeover Day
2016 saw us working on a number of meaningful projects and awareness campaigns. We got to channel our passion for women’s and girls’ rights at Plan International’s “Girl Takeover” which took place on International Day of the Girl, October 11th. The initiative saw 200 girls in 50 countries step into the shoes of political, social and economic leaders in a symbolic “takeover”. Everyone from the President of Nepal to the Canadian Minister for Finance and our very own Taoiseach Enda Kenny took part in the takeover to represent the potential and ability of girls, and the fact that every girl counts.
Darkness Into Light 2016
Once again on a very early morning in May we witnessed the generosity and compassion of the Irish people as over 150,000 around the world walked from darkness into light to raise awareness and funds for suicide and self-harm charity, Pieta House.
Centenary returns to RTÉ1 January 3rd 2017
It was an absolute pleasure to be asked to tell the story of Ireland and the Rising for RTÉ’s Centenary, to have the privilege of working with the wonderful team of creatives on the show and for it to culminate in winning an IFTA for Best Live Show. The unique celebration featured a stunning audio-visual array of artists and performers, bringing the audience through 18 chapters of Ireland’s history, from its cultural awakening right through to present day. The special Centenary show was broadcast live on RTÉ on Easter Monday, to worldwide acclaim and due to demand will be repeated on January 3rd 2017 at 10.15pm RTÉ 1.
Two firsts for Ireland
In April we helped drive awareness of "Generation SunSmart", Ireland's first ever sun safety programme led by Sligo University Hospital and Elave Skincare. The initiative saw 4,000 primary school children in County Sligo educated on being safe in the sun. In June we helped launch Ireland’s first Autism Registry with a team from Trinity College Dublin and NUI Galway. The Registry will help identify the service needs for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by gathering vital information on a child’s diagnosis, development, medical and educational history.
Start-ups in Silicon Valley
Once again Cilian relocated to San Francisco to work with hardware start-ups on PCH’s Highway1 incubator programme. To date he has worked with 80 different companies including air purifier creators Molekule and connected fashion brand XO. At home, we’ve been working with a fantastic new Irish Online Children’s Concept Store: Mopsy + Lils, which focuses on well-made, sensory, safe and artisan products - have a look at their website, their products are amazing!
Beware the Glass Cliff
Natasha spoke at a number of women’s events again this year including the IMAGE Networking Breakfast – What Glass Ceiling? She brought us through the phenomenon in the workplace known as the glass cliff, how to build your own personal brand, and above all, she told us to be political – and she didn’t mean join Fianna Fáil! Natasha also headed West where she was amongst her own to speak at the National Women’s Enterprise Day at the Local Enterprise Office in Galway on How To Tell Your Story With Confidence.
Stillwater Sports & Social
As per usual, we had more social than sports this year. We celebrated a significant birthday for Cilian by surprising him with a horse-drawn cart through the Phoenix Park followed by a beautiful dinner at the Unicorn restaurant. We toasted Cilian’s IFTA nomination with a glass of champagne before he headed off to win the award and the following month, Stillwater ladies turned out in style for Plan International Ireland’s Because I am a Girl Ball at the Shelbourne Hotel. The year ended on a high with a Christmas lunch at the wonderful Vintage Kitchen, where we raised a glass to the success and hard work of all the Stillwater team throughout the year.
Thank you to all our clients and friends for your support throughout the year. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh go léir