Summer blogs

Before we begin with this weeks blog I just want to answer a question raised by Karl Gill a few weeks ago now. Sorry I didn't deal with it sooner man - "If the hacks are giving out about hacks then who are the hacks?" This question really made me think. What is a hack???Am I a hack??? I hope not! I think everyone has their own perception of what a hack is though and I believe a common misconception that has formed over the past few years is that anyone involved in the union in any way is a hack. This is a massive problem with the union and I believe a reason why people don't get involved. We have to disband this whole ‘hack-culture' and establish a culture of ‘people who care about student services & facilities in the college'! I admit is doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as hack but sure it will do for the minute.

Next quick point to address is that if you have a problem with what I write in my blog please take the issue up with me personally & don't harass other sabbatical officers over it. They have much bigger issues to address (Grants, Marrige Equality etc) then my blog. Also I'm the person best able to explain why I wrote it.

Anyway now lets get down to the nitty gritty details and have a look at last years ‘exclusivity deal' with the Signature Group and external promotion companies in Dublin.

Signature Group, Midnight & Pamplemousse. These are all household names around the Dublin student scene at the minute and ones you'll see plastered across drunk pic's of yourself after a night out in The Village, Palace, Alchemey or Diceys. They are the leading promotional groups in Dublin. These companies have developed and professionalized over the past 4-5 years when people saw student entertainment as a niche market and one that was relatively untouched. However over the last two years the market has become saturated and customers can witness a ‘turf war' developing across the student market. It is currently a race to the bottom in terms of drink and entry price with €1.50 drinks being promoted in some venues last year. It seems the days when clubs were promoted for the style of music they play could be coming to an end and now it's more about who's going to be there! One company on my radar who seem to be strictly about the music is Emergence so if you're into your music check there stuff out.

As far as I am aware the deal last year, was that UCD Ents would form an exclusive partnership with the Signature Group for the purpose of promoting and running Ents events, mainly nightclub activities. On paper a very good deal! It meant that if Signature made a profit then Ents would as well and considering Signature were seen as market leaders it was a smart decision and would guarantee steady extra income for the union. Essentially it gave UCD Ent's access to one of the biggest student marketing companies in Dublin. But the reality of it in my opinion was that people(the students) weren't happy about it. Firstly it looked terrible having co-branding on all posters, flyers and lanyards. I feel it took away from UCD Ents as a brand & so the focus was put onto promoting the Signature Group as a brand instead.

Second complaint I had was class reps were told they can only go to certain nightclubs for class parties. This in my opinion was disgraceful! Trying to send 4^th year students to Tripod on a Wednesday night just isn't an option and to tell them they won't be given drinks tokens if they don't go is even worse. In the end I think this may have turned class reps against the union slightly as they felt they had to go behind their backs to have a class party. This is a policy I definitely won't be applying this year! Classes are well able to decide where they want to go for parties and it's my duty to help them get the best deals available.

But overall I think the deal was a step in the right direction and that a lot was learned from it. The student nightclub market has become far too competitive and I think Ents departments can waste a lot of time and money trying to compete in this sector. I think the solution is to have a good working relationship with all these companies and also venues in Dublin that students go too. If this is achieved then students are happy and thats all that matter.

I hope that helped you's understand how I felt on the issue. If you have any particular aspects you have questions on hit me up on twitter @EoinHeffernan1

Besides that things are going good in the office and finally starting to make serious headway and secure acts, dates and events for next year. At the same time I'm starting to feel the pressure as the reality hit home on Monday that students are back in a month. I think the main pressure I am feeling at the minute is in relation to the student bar. It's closed for the summer due to financial reasons and at the minute we are not sure if it will be reopened for September. I've linked an article written by Killian Woods from the University Observer on it so that you all know whats happening. As soon as I am given any update as to whats happening I'll be sure to fill you in but you can rest assure we are fighting to keep it open. http://www.universityobserver.ie/2012/06/14/student-bar-ceases-trading-for-the-summer-after-annual-loss-of-over-e90000/

Big shout out to everyone involved in the mock wedding this week! Seemed to be a great success and sorry I couldn't be there.

Slán

Heffo