{{Short description|Irish public relations and training company}} thumb|262x262px{{Infobox company | name = Carr Communications | industry = Public relations<br>Marketing<br>Training | founded = 1973 | founder = Bunny Carr | hq_location = Dublin, Ireland | key_people = Tony Hughes <small> (managing director)</small><br />Donal Cronin <small>(director)</small> | website = {{URL|carrcommunications.ie}} }} '''Carr Communications''' is a public relations and training company in Ireland. Founded in 1973 by television presenter Bunny Carr, the firm is known for its media training services, particularly for politicians and public figures. Carr Communications has expanded into wider public relations and communications consulting, working with both private sector clients and government agencies. The company has undergone several ownership changes, including a management buyout in 2004, and has been noted for its influence on political communication in Ireland.
== History == It was founded in 1973 by the Irish television presenter Bunny Carr.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Former TV presenter Bunny Carr dies, aged 91 |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/0920/994889-bunny-carr/ |journal= |language=en}}</ref>
Under Managing Director Terry Prone, the company expanded into public relations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Carswell|first=Simon|title=Terry Prone leaves Carr Communications after 25 years|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/terry-prone-leaves-carr-communications-after-25-years-1.892416|access-date=2020-10-23|website=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> The company has trained politicians to appear in media, including former Taoisigh, Bertie Ahern TD, Charles Haughey and Garret Fitzgerald as well as other prominent TDs from different political parties.<ref name=":0" /><ref>''The Irish Examiner'', Sean MacCarthaigh, 15 June 1998 [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/06/15/bhead.htm TDs thank Carr for gift of media gab] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802151108/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/06/15/bhead.htm |date=2008-08-02 }}</ref>
The company was subject to a management buyout in 2004<ref name=":0" /><ref>''The Irish Emigrant'', 31 March 2004 [http://www.emigrant.ie/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=49945 Management takeover at Carr Communications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216000403/http://www.emigrant.ie/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=49945 |date=2012-02-16 }}</ref> and the company's profits improved substantially.<ref>''Sunday Business Post'', Ian Kehoe, 28 May 2006 [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/05/28/story14533.asp Profits jump at PR firm following MBO] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309072342/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/05/28/story14533.asp |date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref> In 2008, Donal Cronin and Fergus Hoban became owners of the company following the departure of a number of senior executives.<ref name=":1" /> Terry Prone resigned as a director of the company in February 2008<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">''Irish Examiner'', Conor Keane, 19 Feb 2008 [https://archive.today/20120801122825/http://www.examiner.ie/story/business/ojojojsnkf/rss2/ Carr Communications rocked by third top-level resignation in two weeks]</ref> and others left with her to set up a rival company.<ref>''The Sunday Tribune'', Emmet Oliver, 24 Feb 2008 [https://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2008/feb/24/prone-to-take-on-carr/ Prone to take on Carr] {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In February 2008, Tony Hughes rejoined the company as managing director.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beesley|first=Arthur|title=Carr Communications managing director quits|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/carr-communications-managing-director-quits-1.895228|access-date=2020-10-23|website=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> In March 2008, it was reported that the company received substantial government contracts for its services.<ref>''Irish Independent'', Laura Noonan & Tom McEnaney, 1 March 2008 [http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/carr-earns-8364800000-in-government-deals-1303156.html Carr earns €800,000 in Government deals]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.carrcommunications.ie/ Company website]
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Category:Business services companies established in 1973 Category:Service companies of Ireland Category:Public relations companies Category:Training companies Category:1973 establishments in Ireland