What's with all the Anti-Arthur Day campaign ?

cloudatlas

Reasons why I hate Arthur's Diageo Day. Diageo are underhand, they tried to prevent Brewdog from winning an award, there were rumours of other competitor pumps being covered on Arthur's day. The Guinness storehouse is one of if not the sh1test museum I have ever been to in my life It had hardly any historical information on the Guinness Family, the display of old advertising memorabilia was a joke, screens everywhere loudly blaring information about the brewing process. The storehouse is designed to get people through as quickly as possible to the bar and shop. I find their association with sport and the arts distasteful, more so the sports. My friend is an A&E doctor, he'll be working on Thursday night and after all the carnage guess who he'll phone

sandin

How about a Irish Daily Muck or Evening Hysterical headline comp?

What will these 2 "papers" give as heading on Friday Morning - I will assume that bith will have reporters searching high and low for a photo of someone drunk to plaster the front page.

My guess

"Arthur's Night of Hell"

With article going on about drunks in hospital wards, falling about on street corners etc etc - article probably already written with "junior cert" / "leaving cert" tags switched to "Arthurs Day"

bill buchanan

The problem is that no marketing company should be able to buy a national holiday (which this now is, unofficially) in our country.

Our national occasions, and what we celebrate collectively, should mean something to us as a people.

The sad thing is that people don't care about this. I hate sounding so meldramatic, but the fact that diageo have created a holiday for us to celebrate their company and buy their drink is a really really huge issue, yet very few people care about it.

hatrickpatrick

#SupportArthursDay hashtag anyone?

cloudatlas

Banksy on Advertising: “People are taking the piss out of you everyday. They butt into your life, take a cheap shot at you and then disappear. They leer at you from tall buildings and make you feel small. They make flippant comments from buses that imply you’re not sexy enough and that all the fun is happening somewhere else. They are on TV making your girlfriend feel inadequate. They have access to the most sophisticated technology the world has ever seen and they bully you with it. They are ‘The Advertisers’ and they are laughing at you.

You, however, are forbidden to touch them. Trademarks, intellectual property rights and copyright law mean advertisers can say what they like wherever they like with total impunity.

**** that. Any advert in a public space that gives you noise choice whether you see it or not is yours. It’s yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. You can do whatever you like with it. Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.

You owe the companies nothing. Less than nothing, you especially don’t owe them any courtesy. They owe you. They have re-arranged the world to put themselves in front of you. They never asked for your permission, don’t even start asking for theirs".

chopper6

Utterly detest Arthur's Day...it seems to bring out the worst cretins and buffoons who shouldn't be drinking at all.
Nothing jolly or enjoyable about it either, just a marketing inspired immersion in alcohol.

Dave!

bill buchanan wrote: »

The problem is that no marketing company should be able to buy a national holiday (which this now is, unofficially) in our country.

Our national occasions, and what we celebrate collectively, should mean something to us as a people.

The sad thing is that people don't care about this. I hate sounding so meldramatic, but the fact that diageo have created a holiday for us to celebrate their company and buy their drink is a really really huge issue, yet very few people care about it.

Any other marketing company is also free to do the same thing and organise a load of events. They do it all the time! This is just marketing on a wider scale. In all likelihood if others did try the same thing, it wouldn't be as successful, because like it or not, Guinness is a brand that has been synonymous with Ireland for long since before Arthur's Day. Who cares that it's a private company? We're also free individuals who can participate in the events or not - they provide the service, we (the consumer) either pay for it or don't. I don't understand the drama.

Incidentally I'm unlikely to be raising a pint to Martha on Thursday cos it's a weeknight. Will be raising some on Friday and/or Saturday though

bill buchanan

Dave! wrote: »

Any other marketing company is also free to do the same thing and organise a load of events. They do it all the time! This is just marketing on a wider scale. In all likelihood if others did try the same thing, it wouldn't be as successful, because like it or not, Guinness is a brand that has been synonymous with Ireland for long since before Arthur's Day. Who cares that it's a private company? We're also free individuals who can participate in the events or not - they provide the service, we (the consumer) either pay for it or don't. I don't understand the drama.

Incidentally I'm unlikely to be raising a pint to Martha on Thursday cos it's a weeknight. Will be raising some on Friday and/or Saturday though

I'm not blaming the marketing firms. They are just doing what marketing firms do. I'm just sad that we have allowed them to buy a national holiday. It costs them a slight reduction in the price of a pint.

If you think that's OK I'm not going to try and convince you otherwise. It's not something that there should need to be an argument about.

lukesmom

It's the binge drinking I see a major problem with. Some people think because they are Irish they have to live up to the stupid reputation of drinking themselves silly. What's wrong with having a few drinks and leaving it at that? My husband would be one of those who will drink every last drop of alcohol available at the weekend. I hate it and since I stopped drinking (April 2013 due to alcohol interaction with medication) I now realise the pathetic creatures that sober people morph into after drink. I think instead of having a day dedicated to drink, there should be much more campaigns against binge drinking to highlight the dangers of it.

ronano

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..

Mint Aero

To Arthur!

1: Christmas Day
2: Arthurs Day
3: My Birthday
4: Paddys Day
5: St. Stephens Day

She makes it to number 2 on my top 5 greatest ever days of the year list

Conversely, my top 5 hated days

1: Valentines Day
2: Mothers Day
3: Fathers Day
4: Pancake Tuesday
5: Smile Day

Dave!

bill buchanan wrote: »

I'm not blaming the marketing firms. They are just doing what marketing firms do. I'm just sad that we have allowed them to buy a national holiday. It costs them a slight reduction in the price of a pint.

If you think that's OK I'm not going to try and convince you otherwise. It's not something that there should need to be an argument about.

They haven't bought a national holiday. If they did then I probably wouldn't be in work. They've just got some ads, and arranged concerts, etc., which many people will enjoy.

oblivious

Mint Aero wrote: »

4: Pancake Tuesday

Whats????? Pancakes are a sign that God live us all

bill buchanan

Dave! wrote: »

They haven't bought a national holiday. If they did then I probably wouldn't be in work. They've just got some ads, and arranged concerts, etc., which many people will enjoy.

Come on. It's an unofficial national holiday. Lots of foreign people think it's an official one. I know several of them, as I work overseas. In fact, some of them have said as much on this very thread. Again, that shouldn't even be debateable.

Grayditch

I saw a guy drink excessively before and it wasn't even on Arthur's Day!

The problem is with people.

20Cent

Time for another Reclaim the Streets party me thinks.

PingO_O

bill buchanan wrote: »

Come on. It's an unofficial national holiday. Lots of foreign people think it's an official one. I know several of them, as I work overseas. In fact, some of them have said as much on this very thread. Again, that shouldn't even be debateable.

I'd agree here. Bulmers did something similar re. organising an event with music etc. I don't know if they're still at it but the thing is all of my friends and work colleagues aren't going to be saying " so what are you doing for the bulmers music festival?"

The aurthurs day idea has penetrated our culture and people treat it like its a national holiday, that's exactly what diageo wanted I'd wager.

I think people opposing it are being taken up as boring wet blankets but they're just pointing out this is a celebration of a large MNC, getting pissed drunk and a brand of drink that may not even be truly Irish.

limitedIQ

Bowlardo wrote: »

" no one starts drinking Guinness till there late 20s"...can't argue with that.
"no one was complain when everyone was drinking for the all-Ireland final" - can't argue with that

Best quote of the night was "I'd prefer go out and have a few pints of Guinness and watch good music in a nice pub then stay at home and drink 3 bottles of wine and watch the x-factor!"

I prefered the quote when the one guy said "its just a made up celebration to sell stuff" and the musician sais "yeah but so is Valentines day !"

cloudatlas

They've taken a liberty making it an annual thing. It's not about stout it's not about Guinness it's a marketing wet dream. St. Patrick's day is enough my friend who works in A&E is run ragged most nights clearing the drunks so he can get to other people who don't need a baby sitter last thing he wants is this crap coming round again. Ironically the Guinness family were social workers, philanthropists, business people the other branch were religious missionaries.

cloudatlas

limitedIQ wrote: »

I prefered the quote when the one guy said "its just a made up celebration to sell stuff" and the musician sais "yeah but so is Valentines day !"

St. Valentine, St. Patrick, St. Nicholas... St. Arthur?

Dave!

bill buchanan wrote: »

Come on. It's an unofficial national holiday. Lots of foreign people think it's an official one. I know several of them, as I work overseas. In fact, some of them have said as much on this very thread. Again, that shouldn't even be debateable.

*Unofficial* being the operative word. It's just some creation of a marketing team, not an edict from the President, so what's the issue? Let them at it. You want to introduce legislation banning "events or festivals that give the impression of a national holiday"? What would that achieve? Are you trying to preserve the integrity of the *official* national holidays which have also been co-opted by various industries, e.g. Paddy's Day is like the unofficial Arthur's Day!

bill buchanan

Dave! wrote: »

*Unofficial* being the operative word. It's just some creation of a marketing team, not an edict from the President, so what's the issue? Let them at it. You want to introduce legislation banning "events or festivals that give the impression of a national holiday"? What would that achieve? Are you trying to preserve the integrity of the *official* national holidays which have also been co-opted by various industries, e.g. Paddy's Day is like the unofficial Arthur's Day!

No edicts from me. My politics would be of the "hands off" variety".

I just think our national celebrations should be important and worthy. You believe they can be set by a marketing company. Both of us are equally entitled to our views.

cloudatlas

Dave! wrote: »

*Unofficial* being the operative word. It's just some creation of a marketing team, not an edict from the President, so what's the issue? Let them at it. You want to introduce legislation banning "events or festivals that give the impression of a national holiday"? What would that achieve? Are you trying to preserve the integrity of the *official* national holidays which have also been co-opted by various industries, e.g. Paddy's Day is like the unofficial Arthur's Day!

St. Patrick's day is for kids too the parade and fair ground activities. There are church services celebrating the patron saint. Government officials attend the parade, the taoiseach goes to the white house. Surely you're not equating a morkeshing holiday for sheeple with a religious holiday that has been manipulated into a drink fest.

Dave!

By the same token, Valentine's Day is an "unofficial national holiday", isn't it? Where's the outrage over that? PRIVATE CORPORATIONS putting their ads all over the place, promotions for food and drink deals, completely manufactured nonsense, using the name of some saint that nobody knows or cares about.

All for the purposes of GENERATING THE DIRTY LUCRE for companies that dare to try to turn a profit.

bill buchanan

Dave! wrote: »

By the same token, Valentine's Day is an "unofficial national holiday", isn't it? Where's the outrage over that? PRIVATE CORPORATIONS putting their ads all over the place, promotions for food and drink deals, completely manufactured nonsense, using the name of some saint that nobody knows or cares about.

All for the purposes of GENERATING THE DIRTY LUCRE for companies that dare to try to turn a profit.

Valentine's day is completely different.

A) It was a holiday/celebration long before it got hijacked

It doesn't target the Irish specifically because it's easy

C) No one company is asking the Irish people to celebrate their existence or to buy their specific product. Just like xmas is not the same as having "Lego day".

There's no point in making weak arguments. we both know Arthur's day is what it is. It's easier just to accept that some of us think it's not acceptable to buy a national holiday, whereas others do.

bill buchanan

cloudatlas wrote: »

Surely you're not equating a morkeshing holiday for sheeple with a religious holiday that has been manipulated into a drink fest.

And that, my friend, is how successful the marketers have been!

Dave!

bill buchanan wrote: »

Valentine's day is completely different.

A) It was a holiday/celebration long before it got hijacked

Irrelevant. Ask anyone who St. Valentine was and they won't have a clue. So today it is simply a day/period kept alive by Hallmark and other vested interests, where restauranteurs and hoteliers get to bump up their prices and stuff as many "sheeple" into their businesses as possible. And you endorse this morkeshing move based on some saint that nobody knows about?! AND you're self-righteous about it??! Wow.

bill buchanan wrote: »

It doesn't target the Irish specifically because it's easy

Your argument is all over the place. I don't know what the significance is of this. Marketing campaigns target specific demographics all the time, be it a certain nationality, age group, sex, etc. Valentines day is probably targeted at young couples mostly.

If Diageo started to export Arthur's Day would that make it better? I'm sure it's only a matter of time, because Guinness is associated with Ireland all around the world.

bill buchanan wrote: »

C) No one company is asking the Irish people to celebrate their existence or to buy their specific product. Just like xmas is not the same as having "Lego day".

One company or many companies, who cares? They're free to do it, just like private companies organise other festivals and events. Heineken gets to own the rugby European cup.

bill buchanan wrote: »

There's no point in making weak arguments. we both know Arthur's day is what it is. It's easier just to accept that some of us think it's not acceptable to buy a national holiday, whereas others do.

I know what it is, and I know that lots of people enjoy paying money to attend events and drink alcohol and socialise. Give it a go some time!

cloudatlas

Part of it is anger about the way it's been marketed in a coca cola's turning St. Nicholas's green coat red kind of way, we're a bit sick of being linked to drink 'to Arthur!' the same way that Aussies are sick of hearing 'throw another shrimp on the barbie' which was a tag line for an Australian tourism advert and is now just an annoying thing you say to your Australian friend Culture night was amazing, there were queue's down the street for some places. People obviously want more music events in pubs but there has to be a better way of doing it.
Obviously there is anger at the triumphalism of something that is retrograde to society drink related deaths, A&E crews working overtime etc..

Muise...

bill buchanan wrote: »

Valentine's day is completely different.

A) It was a holiday/celebration long before it got hijacked

It doesn't target the Irish specifically because it's easy

C) No one company is asking the Irish people to celebrate their existence or to buy their specific product. Just like xmas is not the same as having "Lego day".

There's no point in making weak arguments. we both know Arthur's day is what it is. It's easier just to accept that some of us think it's not acceptable to buy a national holiday, whereas others do.

It could - the relics of St Valentine are in a church on Whitefriars St. in Dublin.

Then again, Diageo might fuel a lot of courting anyway.

walrusgumble

Ah, that explains why there seems to be so many tourists in town.

I got a distinct feeling , between yesterday evening and this morning, that the airport was really busy

Funny, people still come to Ireland for this guff.

Christy Moore and the Waterboys? FFS. I suppose they will now be refusing to perform at other festivals that are promoted by alcohol. They should be grateful, without these festivals, they would be irrelevant along time ago. We don't need these guys to remind us how pathetic and weak they might have been with drink in the past.

BTW , won't dark the streets on Arthur's Day. It is a bit sad, but, if it brings in money to the State, so what?