Democracy has been appointed to amplify the craic for this year’s Manchester Irish Festival.
The festival, which the organisers say is Europe’s largest, is 10 days of celebration, dancing, and (sham)rock and roll, centred around the parade and the Irish Festival village in St Anne’s Square.
The festival has more than 200 events taking place between March 8 and 17 all around the region for communities to come together and celebrate their shared cultural heritage.
Festival highlights include the centrepiece parade on Sunday March 13, with dozens of floats, pipe bands and dancers joining together in a showcase of culture, heritage and music.
The march starts at noon from the Irish World Heritage Centre and marches to Manchester City Centre, with the streets lined with supporters bearing tricolour flags.
Democracy won a PR brief that calls for earned online press opportunities and broadcast coverage and amplification through targeted social channels.
The Irish Consul General in Manchester, Sarah Mangan, is engaged as spokesperson for the event, and will be attending the parade to talk to media about the full programme of events taking place on the day.
Matt Kelly, marketing and entertainment coordinator for the Manchester Irish Festival Village, csaid: “We wanted to work with an agency with the skills and know how to deliver media results and awareness in a short time frame – and knew Democracy would deliver.
“We want the Manchester Irish Festival to reach everyone in the region, so that people are aware of the range of events we have taking place, and what a great occasion it will be. Democracy has already generated a buzz about the festival, and we are greatly placed to have all eyes on us for the parade.”
Jennifer O’Grady, founder of Democracy, added: “The team at Democracy are experts in storytelling, so making sure that the Manchester Irish Festival reaches communities in the area plays to our strengths.
“We have already hit the ground running hitting the key publications to raise awareness before the event, and will continue to do so throughout the 10 days of festivities.”