Client Testimonials

DAA's principal activites involve the management and the operation of Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports and global airport retailing. 

"The DAA Retail Innovation Department had the pleasure of working with the Marketing Development Programme over a number of months. The team were professional at all times, and dedicated to meeting the brief provided. They also had the capacity to be flexible around changing client needs and expectations. The final presentation and recommendations were insightful and the team worked closely with the Retail Innovation Team in ensuring that the presentation was targeted and clear." 

"We worked with the MDP in early 2007. We recognized a need for some quantitative data relating to a key sub-brand that was experiencing declines. We briefed the team about what we wanted to know and they developed a comprehensive questionnaire that really covered our needs. They executed the interviews very efficiently and reported and summarised the data meticulously. We very much enjoyed working with this team and found them to be eager, interested and above all hard-working, efficient and very professional. These useful findings were instrumental in our strategy going forward"

Claire Kennedy, Brand Manager, Nivea for Men

Pfizer is the world's largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, who are committed to becoming a global leader in healthcare through providing safe, effective and affordable health care products worldwide. Pfizer aims to dedicate themselves to humanity's quest for longer, healthier, happier lives through innovation in pharmaceutical and consumer health products.

The Marketing Development Programme carried out extensive primary research to investigate smokers’ and ex smokers' opinions and attitudes towards smoking and the cessation process. "Working with the MDP is always a great experience; interacting with a team of enthusiastic, innovative business graduates, bringing fresh insight and energy to our projects."

Colm Crowley Pfizer

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods, employing over 206,000 people worldwide. Marketing advisors have worked with Unilever on brands such as HB, Lynx and Impulse.

"We have found graduates from the MSc in Marketing Practice to be extremely capable and highly professional Marketeers. Through the programme they acquire the fundamental skills and attributes necessary to work in a business environment, such as communication, presentation, initiative taking, negotiating and problem solving to name but a few. The programme is a great step for students wishing to prepare themselves for a career in business".

Nicola Eustace, HR Business Partner, Unilever Ireland

Glanbia plc has operations in Ireland and the USA, with international joint ventures in the UK, USA and Nigeria. The Group is organised into three operating divisions of Agribusiness, Consumer Foods and Food Ingredient, which includes the evolving Nutritionals business.

"I was impressed with the thoroughness and quality of the research conducted by the Marketing Development Programme. They adhered to a tight deadline and produced a finished report that was cohesive and extremely useful. I would not hesitate to use the programme for future market research needs".

Clare Flannery, Head of Marketing, Glanbia Agribusiness

MERC Partners is an executive Search and Advertised Selection firm. Since its inception as the first executive search firm in Ireland, the company has led and influenced an increasingly competitive marketplace. MERC Partners is acknowledged as Ireland’s leading Executive Search firm.

"To say that we are impressed by the professionalism of the MDP programme would not do justice to the quality of the service we have received from the highly charged team we have been working with. The enthusiasm and commitment could probably be anticipated, but the maturity of insight and the effectiveness and value of the initiatives suggested by the Advisors and acted upon, have been inestimable in significance and usefulness. We would be delighted to work with the MDP team again"

Barry O’Connor, Partner, MERC Partners

The Soul of Haiti Foundation presented the team at the Marketing Development Programme with a very challenging brief – to complete a media monitoring project to gauge international perceptions of Haiti – with just a 4 week deadline. The project report would form a major foundation in the brand development programme to develop a nation brand for Haiti – a country with a pressing need to begin to refocus its communication with the rest of world.

"We were extremely pleased with the way the team responded to the brief, their approach to the project and ultimately the excellent report we received within the challenging deadline. At all stages of the assignment, the team kept us fully informed of progress, and from the very outset, gave us huge confidence in their ability to develop, manage and execute the project. The level of commitment they displayed was superb, we genuinely believe we had found partners who were not only keen to complete the project to an excellent standard, but a team who also really believed in our vision and objectives.

I would recommend that any organisation seeking project resources should consider working with the UCD Marketing Development Programme. The Soul of Haiti Foundation is extremely appreciative of their efforts, commitment and their professional approach. We wish all the team the very best for their future careers."

Alison Cowzer, Soul of Haiti Foundation

Established in 1973, the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) is the leading Irish body providing representation and other services for those involved in operating, investing and advising on all aspects of pensions and other retirement provisions.

"The Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) contracted the MDP to complete two extensive pension surveys in 2007. During the process of these two surveys, the IAPF were very impressed by the level of service, attention to detail and professionalism that the MDP students offered. They produced two compreshensive reports that will provide significant input into the national pensions debate. We would recommend the services of the UCD MDP students and we hope to work with them again."

Nora Finn, CEO, Irish Association of Pension Funds

The ESB has been involved in power generation since the late 1920’s. It is now one of the largest service providers in Ireland. ‘ESB Customer Supply’ is a division of ESB. It is a major supplier of power to domestic and business customers and is responsible for managing customers’ electricity supply accounts.

"The success of the biannual Business Breakfast is a testament to the strong relationship between ESB Customer Supply & the MDP. Each year the event offers unique networking opportunities to prominent Irish business people & graduate students alike. The advisors’ attention to detail, professionalism and organisational skills are reflected in the calibre of venue, guests and keynote speaker attracted to the breakfast".

Noeline Gibbons, Manager, ESB Customer Supply

Red Bull markets its energy drink in more than 100 countries, including Ireland. The drink has grown quickly since its inception, capturing about 80% of the worldwide energy drink market.

"The Marketing Development Programme was asked to help manage and co-ordinate the 2007 Red Bull X-fighters event at Slane Castle. The Advisors were extremely enthusiastic about the project, took initiative and were flexible to the challenges posed by this highly demanding event"

Niall McGrath, Marketing Director, Red Bull.