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Barbara Collins

Consultant Details

Expertise

  • Healthcare & Life Science
  • Food & Beverage
  • Digital Media

Overview

I worked in BBC News and Current Affairs for 16 years before branching out into agri-food and brand storytelling. I am still a working journalist but my interest now is almost totally centred on the food and drink of Ireland. My training as a journalist means I can write tight, engaging copy that will grab the attention of media, customers and buyers. I am completely up to speed with digital media as well as traditional Sales/Marketing and am a member of both the UK and Irish Guilds of Food Writers. This gives me enviable direct access to the people whose coverage makes a real difference to profile. I write the Food NI/Taste of Ulster Guides and contribute to Irish Country Living, FFT, the Irish News (travel. I have my own weekly recipe column- Home Cooking- for seven newspapers in Derry, Donegal and Kildare. I am also a regular contributor to BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster, Talkback and Evening Extra on food stories. I am a Great Taste and Blas na hEireann judge and I did the PR for Blas na hEireann for 2 years 2016 and 2017. I make films to tell producers stories. The latest one was for Connemara Organic Seaweed which helped secure business in Japan and Germany. Previous Intertrade Ireland clients include Achill Mountain Lamb (Elevate), Burren Balsamics (Elevate) and Glastry Farm (Elevate and Acumen) and all recorded a marked increase in cross-border sales. I got Burren Balsamics listed with a new distributor and Glastry Farm’s reach now goes as far as Cork. Achill Mountain Lamb is now used by many top chefs in Northern Ireland and domestic sales are strong. I rejuvenated the sales material for all companies and also provided training in social media. I am extremely committed to my clients and only work with people whose products I truly believe in. My motto is to under-promise and over-deliver and I continue to spread the word after the consultancy period is over. The above clients are very happy to give references. I look forward to working with you to increase your PR presence/ update your literature and social media and drive cross-border sales.