Mark Hopkins, Managing Director of Hopkins Communications, one of Cork's leading communications firms, is one of a new generation of media heads with their sights firmly set on offering the total media package to clients.

"The fact of the matter is that Cork, and the Munster area, has a shortage of agencies which can deliver the full package of media buying, graphic design, printing solutions, promotions, public relations, and events in-house, to pull campaigns together and bring a brand to life. Companies don't want to have to deal with several entities.

"To give you an example, when a company is starting up we will design their logo and corporate literature, print it, place recruitment advertising and general advertising in press countrywide, write and book radio adverts, produce and place TV adverts (RTÉ, TV3, Setanta Sports, LIVING TV etc), place their billboard advertising around the country, and recommend a web strategy while pulling the message together with an effective public/corporate relations campaign.

"We have also secured high-profile sponsorships on behalf of clients, where both the organisation involved and the brand have gleaned considerable success."

Mark went on to say that his company views relationships with clients as a partnership. ‘We are very protective of our clients and put great store on loyalty. When we enter into a relationship with the principals of a company it's all consuming.

"We've a great team here, and there is genuine excitement when we pull off a coup or organise an effective campaign for a client".

One such coup was the Bootgate affair when Mark had the Corona Extra logo on players boots in the All Ireland Hurling Quarter Final in 2005. "You have to push that extra mile when one of your brands is up against a giant – while at the time some people considered it cheeky, the industry hailed it as 'an innovative piece of guerilla marketing'. I can live with that," he joked.

The team at Hopkins Communications includes Mary Hopkins, who founded the company in 1990, and is now involved in strategic planning and the public relations/events side of the business. "I took over from Mary in 2004 but she is still very involved, and, in fairness to her, she has a great track record.

"We work well together, although it helps that we are on separate floors! The way things have turned out I am now doing business with the sons and daughters of the people she has known for years so there are good synergies there," he said. There are ten people employed at Hopkins Communications, with a panel of over 80 promotional staff on their books.