My first mention in a national newspaper does not include the phrase "the accused"
Posted on November 7, 2006, by Conor O'Neill, under Blogging, Entertainment, Food, Ireland.
When Haydn asked the question recently on the BarCamp Ireland blog if anybody had any favourite Irish entertainment sites/blogs and I replied, little did I know that he was going to quote me more than once in The Irish Times. I thought it would be just part of a ”Conor likes this”, “Mick likes that” “Mary like these” list. Chuffed? Hell I grinned from Bandon to Dublin yesterday.
That has to be one of the best newspaper articles I have read in a long time. Not only was it almost entirely non-Dublin-centric, it talked about exciting things which are still outside the mainstream and reminded me how dull most mainstream media has become. My gut (big as it is) tells me that there is a major opportunity just bubbling under the surface here and I can’t wait to see who grabs it and runs with it.
Swearing Lady deserves a huge readership and I’m thrilled he gave her so much coverage. Haydn called her “arguably the most talented writer at work today in Ireland” and I completely agree. I may be an RSS addict with my 350 feeds but of all of them, her writing is something I actively look forward to every day. I’m sure HarperCollins will be banging down her door soon to add her to their pedigree stable as an understudy to Cecelia 
Haydn himself has a few superb blogs with Mediangler (no not Media Langer) being the main one and I particularly love his new site that he runs with his wife called My Diet Friends. This is a site about diet rather than dieting and if you have any interest in healthy eating and food, it is a must read.
Recently both CNET and Yahoo have launched food sites and I find myself bristling just thinking about them. In both cases I just feel like tech/media companies have spotted another valuable demographic with monetizable eyeballs rather than really giving a damn about food. They are not, as Seth Godin would say, telling authentic stories. Have a look over at what PodChef Neal is doing on YouTube to see how passion and knowledge count for far more than slick design.
I’ll stick with Podchef, My Diet Friends, eGullet, Elise Bauer, Bibliocook and the handful of other sites/blogs run by people who are genuinely passionate about food.
10 Replies to "My first mention in a national newspaper does not include the phrase "the accused""
conor on November 7, 2006
I’m just like Jade Goody.
The timing was fantastic as I was in talking to potential investors yesterday and subtly mentioned it. Actually not even remotely subtly. As I started the Powerpoint I said “oh and by the way, I’m quoted in The Irish Times today on this exact topic”.
Podchef on November 7, 2006
Congrats on the mention! Is the article online? Even if I could still afford to get the Irish Times over here, it would be weeks away.
And thanks for the kind words. True I try to make up for in passion what I lack in design, but that’s the key at the moment–get out there, see what you can do, see how people respond, and as you polish things change the mix until it works.
Another thing–if you take a page from the Underachiever’s Guide to Sucess–aim for the middle to begin with. There is certainly much better stuff out there, stuff I can’t compete with. But there is far worse stuff too. From the middle there is less distance to fall, and equally less distance to try for the top.
And it works. I just filmed a segment with a lifestyle show host on cooking healthy, seasonal foods. I’m glad I picked easy recipes because I was too busy paying attention to what the cameraman was doing, and how the shots were set up. . . .
Keep an eye here: http://www.tastetv.com/ Amature produced cooking shows on a regional TV station, which may go national. . .in the States.
conor on November 7, 2006
The IT is pay-only online but Swearing Lady has the full text (minus the cool pictures) over on her blog.
I’ll definitely check out taste tv. I’m only getting to watch your YouTube clips here and there but I do think you are on to a winner with them.
Caroline@Bibliocook on November 7, 2006
Congrats Conor! I’d take you before Madam Goody any day in the celeb stakes!!
Kieran on November 7, 2006
I happened across the article today, leafing through yesterday’s IT. Congrats, Conor! And best of luck with the new business venture.
The Swearing Lady on November 8, 2006
Cecilia? Cecilia?
I’d hate you for that if I didn’t already like you so much. I owe that coverage to you and your big mouth. YOU’RE GREAT.
conor on November 8, 2006
You could be her Padawan.
I knew that one day my big mouth of would be good for something other than debating trophies in school.
They go nicely with my unforgettable St Kieran’s College “you’re in a famous sports school but you’re shit at sports so here’s a leadership award for being in the school play, ye poof” trophy.
Caroline@Bibliocook on November 8, 2006
And thanks for the complement, too, Conor. “Genuinely passionate”, eh? I like it!
conor on November 8, 2006
I’m on a big “authenticity kick” at the minute and I’m always trying to spot whose trying to sell me snake oil and who cares about what they are doing.
Paula on November 7, 2006
Conor, great coverage yesterday in the Times. You’re practically a celeb now!!