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Soccermagic

The celebrity football fundrasing event organised by Cinemagic in 2004 and 2005 aimed to raise awareness of the charity, its work, as well as raising vital funds for its annual film festival and ongoing workshop programme. The event, accompanied with film and television workshops for young people, attracted over 100 celebrities to Northern Ireland each year including its host Dermot O’Leary and stars from Eastenders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and many more to participate in a three hour football tournament in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast to an audience of 7,500.




The celebrity football event beat off stiff competition to secure a position in the shortlist for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations award for ‘Not-for-Profit’ Campaign. The partnership between Cinemagic and title sponsor Coca-Cola was up against companies and organisations from across the UK, including councils, PR agencies and international charities. In total, over 500 entries were made for the awards and Cinemagic is the only Northern Ireland organisation to be shortlisted and to win an award.

Judges comments regarding the tremendous achievement of Coca-Cola Soccermagic included:

“Soccermagic was something of a first, as large-scale charity events involving high profile individuals had not attempted on this scale in Northern Ireland due to the political situation. There were over 1,000 items of media coverage, which in itself was a tremendous achievement.”

Delighted by winning the awarrd Joan Burney, Chief Executive, Cinemagic said:

"We are so proud to receive 2nd place in the CIPR Excellence Awards, which recognises all the efforts of the Cinemagic PR team and Coca-Cola promotion team in raising awareness of the event. The event was extremely successful and achieved its goal of raising funds for Cinemagic, to allow it to continue and expand its activities, creating more opportunities for young people across Northern Ireland who want to gain experience in the world of television and film. Winning such a prestigious award is a brilliant endorsement and it has put the ethos and work of Cinemagic on the map for best practice and excellence in PR.

Maire Campbell, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd explains why she feels the partnership is a winning formula:

“Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) have been serving the NI community for 70 years. The company invests in the charity sector and promotes active lifestyle through fun events; hence there was a natural fit between SoccerMagic and Coca-Cola Bottlers Ulster. In 2004 our association with SoccerMagic facilitated opportunities to reward Coca-Cola's consumer base, via competitions to win tickets to the event and on a more long term basis by assisting Cinemagic, a young person’s charity. Initially the event was organised as a one off project but given its success in 2004, Coca-Cola confirmed their desire to be involved again as title sponsor of the event in 2005. We are delighted that Coca-Cola Soccermagic has been awarded this prestigious accolade and we will always be proud of the tremendous work achieved to bring SoccerMagic alive!”

CinemagicMusic

CinemagicMusic was the first event of its kind to be ever staged in the UK and Ireland and boasted an impressive and eclectic three day programme (22-24 June 2006.) of music masterclasses, Q&A’s, panel discussions, a “Making the Cinemagic Band” challenge, and an outdoor concert staged at Belfast’s Custom House Square.

Helen Mulholland (Botanic Inns), Joan Burney (Cinemagic), Susie Orr (Laganside) and Simon Cordner (NI Events Company) in preparation for the two days of masterclasses and outdoor music concert at Custom House Square.	Judith Bamford, Joan Burney, and Scott Jamison drumming up support for CinemagicMusic.

A series of events led by top music professionals kicked off CinemagicMusic, offering young people (aged 10-15 and 15-25) interested in the music business a rare opportunity to learn more about, and gain an insight into, the industry.

Tutors included Damon Minchella (ex Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller Band, Players and The Who at Live 8), Steve White (Paul Weller Band, Players), Andy Cairns (Therapy?), John Modi (Just The Two of Us, Pop Idol), Eric Bell (founding member of Thin Lizzy), Kevin Godley (music video producer whose credits include promos for U2, Bryan Adams, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra), Martin Root (graphic designer for clients such as SonyBMG, Virgin, BSkyB, Universal, PlayStation,), Alan McGee (Creation Records and Poptones)…to name but a few!

Courtney Giffren and Eleanor O'Neill, young vocalists, who participated in a vocals masterclass with John Modi and Joshua Alamu.	Musical mastermind, Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy) with budding musicans at his guitar masterclass in BIFHE's Millfield Campus, Belfast

The major highlight of CinemagicMusic was an outdoor music concert on 24th June at Belfast’s Custom House Square. The line-up included Starsailor, Journey South, Aslan, and Ben Lee Tyler as well as several local up and coming bands including the recent winners of BBC NI’s Across The Line Rock School, The Tides.

In addition to the two intensive days of masterclasses, renowned producer Chris Cowey (Top of The Pops, Soapstar Superstar) selected a number of outstanding young people to form the official Cinemagic Band. Chris had the daunting challenge of styling, photographing and rehearsing the group within less than 24 hours so they were ready to perform their original music on stage on 24th June at Custom House Square.

Chris Cowey and The Cinemagic Band.	The Cinemagic Band after performing on stage on 24th June 2006 at Belfast's Custom House Square.