Building Partnership and Community in Cork: ePresence Celebrates Top Businesses
In 2025, businesses are set apart from their competitors by going the extra mile, leading the way with community initiatives that can transform their local area and boost community spirit. Businesses that make these contributions to their communities deserve recognition, and we celebrate these outstanding businesses in the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good category of the Cork Digital Marketing Awards.
Cork Chamber Connects Cork Community
Cork Chamber holds the Digital Marketing Awards each year to celebrate the role of digital skills in shaping the future of business in Cork. This is part of the important contribution of Cork Chamber to the economic development of the Cork region, encouraging the success and sustainability of businesses in the area.
The Digital Marketing Awards feature several categories, including the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good category, which is proudly sponsored by ePresence. We are delighted to be involved with the Digital Marketing Awards, and we have chosen to sponsor this category again this year because it is close to our hearts. We are committed to delivering digital marketing solutions that contribute positively to our society, and we believe that collaboration is the key to success.
We love to take this opportunity to celebrate businesses that contribute to their communities, going above and beyond their remit to support local groups and provide support where it is needed most. This is a good chance for us to show our appreciation for the digital marketers who are dedicated to making the world a better place, shining a light on their contributions to our community in Cork.
The Finalists:
Our fabulous finalists in the Best Use of Digital Media for the Great Good category this year are:
Access Credit Union
Access Credit Union is a local, not-for-profit organisation, specialising in providing reliable savings and loans in the community. It offers a full range of financial services and runs as a cooperative that serves more than 27,000 members in the Cork area. The organisation is democratically governed to protect the interests of members, and all earnings are reinvested in improving services or returned to members. Digital marketing campaigns feature a video series that highlights the efforts of local businesses, raising awareness of their contributions to society and to a positive environment in which businesses can thrive.
“Our ethos at Access Credit Union is all about being community-focused. One of our main objectives in our marketing efforts is to help promote the great organisations, businesses and people that are in our local communities.
Our content helps create awareness for these organisations and we’ve seen a great response from the community, showing it’s providing value to them.” – Tony Hughes, CEO, Access Credit Union”
Ace Social Global
AceSocialGlobal.com is an organisation that fosters collaborative partnerships among businesses and promotes sustainability in every transaction. Profits are invested into community initiatives and sustainability projects, and the organisation aims to drive innovation, sustainability and community support through connecting businesses.
“I’m truly honored that AceApp has been recognised as a finalist in the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good category at the Cork Chamber Digital Marketing Awards. Cork Chamber champions local businesses which is great for the Cork community to come together. AceApp was also recently named HackerNoon’s Corks Best Startup of the Year. AceApp was born out of a vision to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in partnership, fostering innovation, building sustainable communities, and driving climate action. With every purchase on our platform, we plant a tree, because we believe digital innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand.
At the heart of everything I do, whether through AceApp, Airpal Technology, or the European Startup Group, is a passion for solving real problems and creating meaningful impact. For me, that means supporting startups on their journey, connecting founders with the right investors, and bridging gaps in healthcare access through technology. I believe innovation should always serve a greater purpose: empowering people, building communities, and leaving the world in a better place than we found it. That’s the spirit behind AceApp, a creative networking platform and marketplace that not only connects entrepreneurs but also aligns directly with global sustainability goals. I’m also managing partner of Upton bark mulch which is great for gardens.”
Cork English College
The Cork English College is a family-run English Language school in Ireland, prioritising care and support for students above all. This is an organisation committed to global connection and sustainability, and aims to become one of the world’s leading ‘Green Schools’, reducing its environmental impact while encouraging students and staff to live more sustainably.
“At Cork English College, we believe that education has the power to change lives, and that’s exactly what our partnership with Soul Bilíngue is all about. By offering full scholarships to low-income youth from Brazil, we help open doors to international education that would otherwise be out of reach. They study with us here in Cork for 4 full weeks. What makes this initiative even more meaningful is how we use our digital platforms to tell their stories. Showcasing their journeys from Brazil to Cork allows us to not only support Soul Bilíngue’s mission but also to inspire and empower others who dream of similar opportunities and show how language education can truly transform lives. As a family-run English school in the heart of Cork City with over 46 years of experience, we’re proud to use digital marketing for something greater than promotion; we use it to create real impact.”
Cork Person of the Year
Cork Person of the Year
is an awards scheme established in 1993 to celebrate the people of Cork, the County’s most vital asset. This is a scheme run by volunteers to celebrate the people of Cork and recognise those who contribute to its success.
Cork’s 96FM
Cork’s 96FM
is a radio station that is committed to local innovation, promoting Cork talent and sharing unique shows and high-profile guests with audiences across Ireland. From music to news and sport, Cork 96FM keeps us up to date with all the essentials and is an important community resource in Cork. Cork’s 96FM has been partnering with local charities since 2008 on an annual basis for its “Giving for Living Radiothon,” and has raised more than €6.5 million to support cancer services across Cork. Bringing the residents of Cork together to fundraise through events such as Coffee Breaks, Jersey Day, and Change Collector boxes, this is a huge community initiative that demonstrates the community spirit running through Cork.
“Since 2008, Cork’s 96FM has teamed up with local charities for the annual Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon. To date, more than €6.5million has been raised to support cancer services provided by the 5 charities – (The Mercy Hospital Foundation, Marymount, CUH Charity, Cork ARC Cancer Support House and Breakthrough Cancer Research).
This has been achieved through many forms of fundraising including Coffee Breaks, Jersey Day and Change Collector boxes that were held across homes, schools and businesses across Cork.
For three days at the end of May, our on-air content is solely focused on raising funds for the Giving for Living Radiation, which was enhanced by our digital coverage. From interviews with those who are currently battling cancer, those who have used the services of our charity partners and footage of events clubs and organisations held to help raise money, the videos we shared across our platforms encouraged donations by showing exactly how your money was helping.
This year the Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon raised an amazing €409,178 for Cork cancer services and we are truly grateful for the generosity of the people of Cork. “
Future Planet
Future Planet is a platform designed to promote and guide sustainable performance for businesses to drive up sustainability and resilience in the long term. The organisation focuses on supporting strategic decision-making with an insight-driven approach that can transform businesses and the positive impacts they make, making a difference across the dynamic business community in Cork.
Horizons
Horizons is a support organisation that works side by side with those who require person-centred, community-based support. Support is tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals, and the aim is to facilitate development for valued and active members of the local community. Offering employment support, learning support and living support, Horizons has a direct positive impact on the lives of individuals and the communities they create.
“Winning the Digital Marketing Award for the Greater Good was highly significant for Ability@Work. It gave us recognition for our digital mission, using online platforms to raise awareness, share real success stories, and highlight the skills and talents of individuals with different abilities in the workplace. The award not only celebrated our work but also gave us a bigger platform to influence change and open doors for new opportunities. It helped us grow our social media presence, reach new audiences & employers, and strengthen our message around the importance of inclusive and diverse workforces in Cork.”
Shannon O’ Laoire.
Ability@Work – Jobcoach
The Ludgate Hub
The Ludgate Hub provides a space for businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, creatives and artists in West Cork to network, expand and collaborate. Sustainability is key to the organisation, with a commitment to fostering green businesses and facilitating environmentally friendly decisions in business. The Ludgate Hub offers high-quality event facilities to host innovative and inspiring events, making these accessible to local businesses and amplifying the voices of these businesses through video story marketing campaigns.
“We are honoured to be shortlisted for the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good Award. The West Cork Laneways Arts Project transformed 42 metres of underutilised wall space in Skibbereen into vibrant murals celebrating local heritage and culture.
Powered by community, collaboration and digital marketing, the project reached a wide audience, showcasing how a rural digital hub can drive regeneration, storytelling, and placemaking while inspiring pride in community and place.” – Dr. Katy Wareing, Director of Strategy & Innovation, Ludgate”
The winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on Friday, 10th October.
About the Awards
Collaboration and innovation are vital to community building, and the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good Award recognises local businesses that contribute positively to their local communities in Cork. In partnering with The Cork Chamber to facilitate this award, we aim to inspire others to consider how they contribute and to recognise the importance of these initiatives in encouraging positive impact in local businesses and the wider business community.
John Brennan, Director, explains the importance of this award:
“At ePresence, we know that digital marketing can have a big impact on the communities we are building together, and we are delighted to support this award to recognise the contributions of forward-thinking, innovative businesses that are motivated to create supportive, sustainable communities.”
ePresence has been leading the way in the digital marketing industry in Ireland since 2008, when Gillian and John Brennan founded it in Cork. With strong core values, the agency is committed to supporting local charities and community initiatives such as Marymount University Hospital, Cork Simon and The Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism.
