Latest news with #D'Arcy
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sharp drop in listeners to Ray D'Arcy's RTE radio show, new JNLR figures show
As many as 10,000 listeners have turned off Ray D'Arcy's RTÉ Radio 1 show, new figures reveal. The latest Joint National Listenership Research (JNLR) show a drop in listeners to his afternoon radio show in the last quarter. Figures reveal D'Arcy – who earns €250,000 from the national broadcaster – has 182,000 listeners tuning in daily – a drop of 10,000 from the last quarter. The latest figures show also show that listenership for Brendan O'Connor's weekend show has surged. His Saturday morning radio show now has 412,000 listeners – an increase of 49,000 listeners – and his Sunday radio show has 409,000 tuning in – an increase of 40,000. It is the first time O'Connor has reached over 400,000 listeners on both days of a weekend in the history of the station. His colleague and Prime Time host Miriam O'Callaghan also celebrated a 13,000 increase. She now has 317,000 listeners tuning into her Sunday radio show. Elsewhere, RTÉ Radio 1 reported 8,000 listeners tuned out of Joe Duffy's last few months hosting Liveline. Duffy - who earned €351,000 a year from RTÉ - bowed out of the station with 299,000 listeners after 27 years hosting the iconic phone-in radio show. His successor has yet to be announced, but RTÉ said the station received 500 applications for Liveline and News and Current Affairs. Morning Ireland still remains the most listened-to breakfast show in the country with as many as 469,000 tuning in daily, a drop of 2,000 people compared to the last quarter. Oliver Callan has 354,000 people listening in – a drop of 1,000 - while Claire Byrne was celebrating with a 6,000 listener increase to her mid-morning show. She now has 354,000 listeners tuning in daily. Louise Duffy lost 4,000 listeners to her now 219,000-strong audience, while News at One is up 1,000. They now broadcast to 298,000 people daily. Louise Duffy 2FM suffered a loss in listeners this quarter, with 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling losing 9,000 listeners. They now have 139,000 people tuning in. Laura Fox has 122,000 listeners, a drop of 5,000 and Tracey Clifford gained 1,000. She now has 110,000 listeners. Doireann Garrihy's takeover of Drive on 2FM saw 8,000 people tuning out. She now broadcasts to 125,000 listeners daily. Elsewhere, Today FM saw decent gains this quarter. Ian Dempsey gained 9,000 listeners to jump to 213,000, Dave Moore's listenership increased to 198,000 – an increase of 5,000 people - and Louise Cantillon saw a massive jump of 12,000 extra listeners. She now has 119,000 people tuning in. As many as 6,000 extra people tuned into Ray Foley this summer. He now has 159,000 people tuning in, while Matt Cooper's The Last Word saw a whopping increase of 18,000 listeners to bring his audience to 181,000. Newstalk saw a slight decrease in radio listeners. Its breakfast show remained the same with 165,000 listeners, but Pat Kenny lost 8,000 listeners. He now has 216,000 tuning in daily. Andrea Gilligan's Lunchtime show lost 10,000 listeners. She now has 124,000 people tuning in, while an extra 12,000 people are tuning into The Hard Shoulder. The show now has 165,000 people listening in. JNLR listenership figures RTÉ Radio 1 Morning Ireland – 469,000, down 2,000 Oliver Callan – 354,000, down 1,000 Today with Claire Byrne – 354,000, up 6,000 Louise Duffy– 219,000, down 4,000 News at One – 298,000, up 1,000 Liveline – 299,000, down 8,000 Ray D'Arcy – 182,000, down 10,000 Drivetime – 217,000, down 4,000 Brendan O'Connor (Saturday) – 412,000, up 49,000 Brendan O'Connor (Sunday) 409,000, up 40,000 Sunday with Miriam O'Callaghan: 317,000 up 13,000 2FM Breakfast on 2FM –139,000, down 9,000 Laura Fox – 122,000, down 5,000 Tracey Clifford –110,000, up 1,000 2FM Drive with Doireann –125,000, down 8,000 Today FM Ian Dempsey – 213,000, up 9,000 Dave Moore – 198,000, up 5,000 Louise Cantillon – 119,000, up 12,000 Ray Foley – 159,000, up 6,000 The Last Word – 181,000, up 18,000 Newstalk Pat Kenny – 216,000, down 8,000 Newstalk Breakfast – 165,000, no change Lunchtime Live – 124,000, down 10,000 Moncrieff – 108,000, no change The Hard Shoulder – 165,000, up 12,000 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Fox News
02-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Teen entrepreneurs turn simple hot dog idea into six-figure sensation at Jersey Shore
As Gen Z battles a surfeit of negative stereotypes, a shocking 93% of the age group have taken a step towards exploring their own business ownership, research shows. Among them are 19-year-old business and economics majors Matt D'Arcy and Keith Stedronsky, who joined "Fox & Friends" Wednesday to kick off their new series highlighting young entrepreneurs hustling for the American dream. At just 16 years old, the pair founded their own seasonal "Dogs Out" hot dog stand that has now made them more than six figures in profit and become a staple of the Jersey Shore. "We were both bus boys at local restaurants. It was going well, but it wasn't really what we wanted to do, so we explored different options to try to make a couple bucks on the side, and we eventually figured [it] out," D'Arcy shared with co-hosts Lawrence Jones, Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt. The duo looked into zoning and permit requirements and learned they had to work with an already-zoned business. After pitching their idea to multiple sites and being rejected by most, one gave them their shot at success. "We eventually went to the Osprey in Manasquan, New Jersey. It's a bar and club that brings in a thousand people a night, and we asked them to pitch our idea to them, and they loved us, and they gave us this opportunity, and it's been smooth rolling ever since," D'Arcy added. The two work directly at the bar near the entry before moving over to the exit before the bar closes. "We give them a small percentage of our sales," Stedronsky explained. "On a Good Friday night, we could sell like 400 hot dogs." Customers can buy one hot dog for $3 or two for $5. "Dogs Out" also sells patriotic merchandise, including t-shirts for $20 apiece. The purchase of a shirt also includes a hot dog. After graduation, the pair plan to hand the business down to their little brothers in hopes of starting something similar on a larger scale.
South Wales Argus
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Can ex-Meta marketing head turn Microsoft Copilot's fortunes?
The AI arms race is in full swing, and every tech giant is manoeuvering for a dominant position. Microsoft, a heavyweight in this arena, has made a significant strategic move by bringing Mark D'Arcy, a marketing expert with over decade of experience at Meta and a prior stint at Time Warner, into its fold. His mission? To sprinkle some marketing magic on Microsoft Copilot, the company's ambitious AI assistant, and help it not just compete, but truly connect with users. The question however is: can Mr. D'Arcy, with his formidable background in crafting compelling brand narratives, be the catalyst Copilot needs to skyrocket its appeal and market share? The challenge is undeniably steep. Microsoft Copilot, while deeply integrated into the company's ecosystem – from Windows and Bing to Microsoft 365 – currently finds itself looking up at the commanding lead of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Recent market share data paints a clear picture of this uphill battle. A May 2025 report from First Page Sage indicated Microsoft Copilot held 14.3% of the AI search market share, a respectable figure but dwarfed by ChatGPT's dominant 59.90%. Earlier in February 2025, data from highlighted an even starker contrast in daily user engagement, suggesting ChatGPT garnered over 52 times more daily visits than Copilot (173.3 million compared to Copilot's 3.3 million). Even looking at broader AI chatbot market share for the year leading up to April 2025, Statcounter Global Stats showed Copilot with a significantly smaller piece of the pie than its primary rival. ZDNET, as far back as December 2024, categorized Copilot in the 'Under 1.5% Club' regarding market share, though acknowledging the inherent difficulty in precisely measuring a product so deeply embedded within other services. This is the landscape Mr. D'Arcy walks into. In his new role, he will be reporting directly to Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI and a prominent voice advocating for a new breed of personal AI assistants – ones that are not just intelligent, but empathetic, intuitive, and, dare we say, more human. Mr. Suleyman, who co-founded DeepMind before joining Microsoft, has been vocal about his ambition to create AI that feels less like a cold, calculating machine and more like a genuine assistant you'd actually enjoy interacting with. He's articulated a vision where Copilot evolves into an AI companion that can remember user preferences, understand emotional nuances, and even 'live life alongside' its users. This philosophy is a core differentiator Microsoft is hoping to leverage. Mr. D'Arcy's pedigree certainly aligns with this vision. His decade at Meta was spent helping global brands craft eye-catching and engaging campaigns across a suite of hugely popular platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. He understands the art of storytelling in the digital age, of building communities, and, crucially, of making technology resonate on a personal level. Before Meta, his role as Chief Creative Officer at Time Warner further honed his skills in shaping compelling narratives for mass audiences. Now, at Microsoft, his primary objective will be to give Copilot the marketing impetus it desperately needs. It's about more than just catchy slogans or a Super Bowl ad (though Microsoft did run one last year). It's about crafting a distinct personality for Copilot, a voice that can cut through the noise of a crowded AI market that includes not only ChatGPT but also formidable offerings like Google's Gemini, Amazon's Alexa, and Anthropic's Claude. Mr. D'Arcy's role will involve unifying the efforts of Microsoft's engineers, designers, and advertising teams, ensuring they are all 'rowing in the same direction' to create an AI that users not only find useful but also like. Microsoft isn't just relying on marketing finesse; the underlying technology of Copilot is continually evolving. Recent upgrades include a 'Memory' feature, allowing Copilot to recall information from past chats for more personalised and coherent conversations. They have also introduced 'Copilot Actions,' enabling the AI to perform tasks such as booking reservations, and 'Copilot Vision,' which allows the AI to interpret what's on a user's screen or in their camera view to provide more contextual assistance. For business users, enhanced capabilities around file interaction, web data integration into Excel, and more granular IT controls are being rolled out. Mr. Suleyman himself has alluded to a strategy where Microsoft might not always be at the absolute 'frontier' of AI model development, suggesting a slight strategic lag can be more cost-efficient in the long run, with the ultimate aim being self-sufficiency in AI. This perhaps allows for a more deliberate focus on the user experience and practical application, which is where Mr. D'Arcy's expertise becomes invaluable. So, can he truly turn Copilot's fortunes? The task involves more than just clever advertising. It requires weaving a narrative that convinces users that Copilot is not just another AI, but their AI – an indispensable partner in their digital lives. It means building trust and demonstrating tangible value in a way that feels intuitive. Mr. D'Arcy needs to help Microsoft define what makes Copilot special, what makes it stand out beyond its deep Windows and Office integrations. Is it the most helpful? The most understanding? The most seamlessly integrated? Perhaps a blend of all three, delivered with a distinct and appealing persona. The road ahead is challenging. User habits are already forming around existing AI tools, and the pace of innovation across the industry is relentless. However, with D'Arcy's proven track record in building iconic brands and emotionally resonant campaigns, coupled with Microsoft's immense resources and Suleyman's clear vision for a more human-centric AI, there's a palpable sense of potential. If D'Arcy can help Copilot find its unique voice and articulate its value proposition in a way that truly connects with the everyday user, he might just be the ace up Microsoft's sleeve in the high-stakes game of AI supremacy. The tech world will be watching closely.
