#044: The Bottom Line - Irish Times Media Correspondent, Director of Kilkenny Arts Festival, JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Retail Expert and MicroGen Biotech.

This week on The Bottom Line on KCLR Laura Slattery, Journalist & Media Correspondent at The Irish Times joined John to speak about the media industry during Covid-19 and the impact the restrictions have had on the media. She speaks about the highs and lows of the media industry during this time. Olga Barry, Festival Director of Kilkenny Arts Festival joined John to speak about the importance of festivals, events and the creative sectors to communities and the local economy. Olga discussed the cancellation of the Kilkenny Arts Festival as well as the culture sector, what its worth to the economy as an industry itself and The National Campaign for the Arts(NCFA) proposal for the survival and recovery of The Irish Arts Sector. www.kilkennyarts.ieJJ Kavanagh of JJ Kavanagh & Sons spoke with John about the history behind his business, which is one of the largest privately owned coach operators that have been in business over 100 years, he speaks about the difficulties facing his business during Covid-19 and the challenges that lay ahead for the company. JJ also addresses the supports that the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland are seeking from Government www.jjkavanagh.ieRetail Expert and owner of JB&A Associates, James Burke joined John to chat through the retail industry and how it may bounce back from the closures during Covid-19. James talks about the practical steps that retailers will be addressing over the coming weeks such as reassuring the customers that all measures have been put in place to ensure their safety as well as highlighting some examples of how retailers have reinvented themselves during Covid-19 to ensure that they remain operational. www.jamesburke.ieMicroGen Biotech is a Biotech start-up company which focuses on the global market in the Agri-Cleantech sector, the company is a spin-out of The Institute of Technology, Carlow. Founder and CEO Xuemei Germaine joined John to talk about the history of the company and the work that they do. www.microgenbiotech.comJohn Shortall, County Librarian of Carlow County Council Public Library services provides an update of the services available to the business community through their local library. www.carlowlibraries.ieWith thanks to O’Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.To contact the show, email [email protected]