Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Yes, in case you're wondering that is Moy Park chicken advertising at the World Cup

There’s a little more to it than that though.

IF YOU’VE WATCHED a match during this World Cup and had an inexplicable urge to eat a chicken kiev afterwards, this is probably why.

Ireland might not be represented on the pitch over in Brazil, but the presence of a well-known Irish brand on the surrounding advertising hoardings has aroused much befuddlement.

Moy Park has been has been gracing our screens along with Neymar, Van Persie, Messi and the rest, leaving many people wondering how a Northern Ireland chicken company has been given the same marketing opportunity as global brands like Adidas and Coca-Cola.

It’s all because of Moy Park’s parent company, Sao Paulo-headquartered food producer Mafrig. So explains Andrew Nethercott, director of brand marketing at Moy Park:

Mafrig struck up a deal with FIFA ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was a two-tournament deal so we knew this opportunity was coming for a while.

Mafrig is in fact one the largest food companies in Brazil and the fourth largest beef producer in the world with revenues of around €1.5 billion in the first three months of 2014 alone.

The company bought Moy Park in 2008 to establish a firm foothold in the European market.

“The deal we have is that if a South American team is leading the game then the Mafrig logo appears and if a European team is leading that the Moy Park brand is show, ” says Nethercott

Mafrig got particularly lucky last night when its branding was displayed as Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the World Cup a clip that will undoubtedly will be repeated and shared for years to come.

Alomgir Mou / YouTube

Far from being a small Irish company however, Moy Park is itself a billion-euro outfit with a presence on both sides of the border 12,000 employees across Europe.

“We’ve have global ambitions,” says Nethercott. “The advertising gives us a great platform to grown the brand especially across Europe.”

Responding to questions about the company’s sponsorship of local sports, Nethorcott pointed to their partnership of Tyrone GAA as an example of their involvement closer to home.

And as for working with FIFA, Nethercott says his experience is that they are a “very professional organisation” and make things “very straightforward”.

 In pictures: having a game of astro is spectacular in Rio >

Snapshot: England’s World Cup base is the perfect place to play football >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Campbell
    Favourite Michael Campbell
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 5:21 PM

    What a horrible lot don’t blame the USA for trying to keep them out

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Des Fortune
    Favourite Des Fortune
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 5:38 PM

    Michael, drug cartels are so powerful because of US drug use, US war on drugs is a joke, calling Mexicans ‘a horrible lot’ is rather simplistic view

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Bruce
    Favourite Dave Bruce
    Report
    Sep 17th 2011, 9:34 AM

    Micheal two young mexicans are dead because of the illegal drugs industry, because they may have used their rights to freedom of speech (a right upheld in the constitutions of many countries) to speak out against drug cartels. Are they part of the horrible lot too?The drugs industry is an international one it doesn’t follow borders, it just follows supply and demand.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Carroll
    Favourite Brian Carroll
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 6:19 PM

    Michael, try educating yourself before you make idiotic comments in future.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Unitedpeople Ireland
    Favourite Unitedpeople Ireland
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 5:53 PM

    Dear drug cartels,
    You can’t stop the signal!
    Sooner you learn that, the better!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michelle Geraghty
    Favourite Michelle Geraghty
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 10:12 PM

    I’ve been meeting so many people facing these kinds of threats every day at the Frontline Human Rights Defenders Platform in Dublin Castle this week. 130 incredibly brave people from 85 countries being threatened for standing up for their basic rights. Its shocking to hear stories like this one. Can you imagine actually facing that fear every day but continuing to fight for the right thing despite it? And what if you had kids? Massive respect to the journalists who fight back. Rant over. If you guys interested in reading more about them, visit http://www.frontlinehumanrights.org

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Magari
    Favourite Adam Magari
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 9:12 PM

    Mexico, a failed state now. Imagine the situation in ten years time.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eagle eye
    Favourite Eagle eye
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 8:10 PM

    There was a great show on last week where that sas guy chris Ryan teamed up with the special police there ‘bope’. Incredible stuff seeing the conditions in the favelas. The place is overrun with drugs and crime. Remember last year when hundreds of cops raided the place and arrested hundreds?
    Scary stuff if they are turning to killing those using social media and reporters

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mad Durdu
    Favourite Mad Durdu
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 8:40 PM

    Thats brazil you clown. And BOPE are a bunch of murderers and torturers

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eagle eye
    Favourite Eagle eye
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 11:31 PM

    My bad mad durdu. I made a mistake.
    I ain’t a clown though. I wouldn’t say murderers, they are going in dealing with serious criminals and drug cartels.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute grass Eye
    Favourite grass Eye
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 8:29 PM

    This was a mad story. On Monday.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Hoey
    Favourite Gavin Hoey
    Report
    Sep 15th 2011, 8:35 PM

    : )

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.