The final episode

by Meteor on December 15th, 2009

After thirteen stressful tasks the final had arrived and both Steve and Stephen were the last two men standing. Bill decided to make this a dual task, where the boys had to organise a car launch and promote a local club venue. To help them with this project, Bill invited back all the candidates who were previously fired. Both Stephen and Steve had their choice of who they wanted in their team. Controversially, Stephen decided to choose Sam for his team – we can all remember how they did not get on.

As organising the launch got into full swing, Stephen got wind of the fact that Steve might be doing a Caribbean theme similar to what Stephen had wanted. He decided to change tack and go for a more contemporary style. Both teams lit the room up with colourful dancers, food and drink etc. The bold Breffny spent most of his time flirting with the females instead of demonstrating the car to potential buyers. Steve Rayner appeared very nervous in his presentation, probably put off by the fact that his celebrity speaker fell flat on her face while unveiling the car! Stephen Higgins was praised for his engagement with the audience, something that he was lacking in previous tasks.

Back in the boardroom, all candidates were loyal to their PM. On the day, Stephen Higgins was better on this particular task, but Bill had to take all tasks into account. Due to the current climate, Bill always needed a sales man and so it was Steve Rayner that piped Stephen to the post. Steve Rayner wins The Apprentice 2009!

Week 12 Catch up

by Meteor on December 7th, 2009

Week twelve and it’s interview time. A nervous Geraldine, Steve and Stephen prepared themselves for a tough gruelling at the hands of Gavin Duffy- media mogul, Sheena Clohessy -HR consultant and David Block and Mairead Flemming – both from Brightwater recruitment. No rock was left unturned by these four expert interviewers.

Stephen was full of confidence in the interviews. He was drilled on his lack of people skills and tendency to be aggressive. The interviewers were doubtful of his arrogance but felt that he certainly had the drive to get the job done. Steve Rayner again was complimented on his selling skills, but was questioned on his personal life and whether he had what it takes to deal with the stressful environment we are currently in. Geraldine was described as charming overall. They even went as far as to say that she lights up the room. However she has a long way to go. She does not have the experience to hit the ground running and is prone to childish outbursts of giddiness.

After a long discussion with his interviewers, Bill had a tough decision to make. All three remaining candidates have certain qualities that are suited to his organisation. He warned Stephen that he needs to lose the arrogance or aggressiveness as some have described. In the end it was Geraldine that had to go, leaving Stephen, Steve and Bill to go and have a nice cosy dinner together.

Episode 11 catch up

by Meteor on December 1st, 2009

This week the candidate’s took on the challenge of creating a Christmas campaign for Appleby Jewellers. With only four candidates left, Lucinda along with Steve, and Geraldine teamed with Stephen, had to create a radio ad and advertorial. A heated debate took place right off the bat when Stephen felt he could not trust Geraldine to head up this project. In the end Stephen got his way and was PM for team Platinum. Lucinda headed up Chú Chulainn.

Steve and Lucinda started out with a good idea; however it soon became a disaster. Lucinda turned what she wanted to be an advertisement for three wise men, into what looked like a Christmas pantomime. Out of all the four candidates Geraldine proved the most productive creating the radio advertisement. Stephen Higgins brought out his romantic side to create copy for the advertorial. Both radio advert and advertorial proved stronger than Chú Chulainn’s and it was Lucinda and Steve that had to face Bill in the boardroom.
Inside the boardroom Lucinda was accused of making the campaign childish. Both Steve and Lucinda then began to beg for the opportunity to stay, in what could be said to be one of the cheesiest moments on The Apprentice. A shock was in store for all, when Bill finally fired Lucinda – a mistake? We will have to wait and see.

Episode 9 Catch up

by Meteor on November 17th, 2009

In this week’s task there was no hiding in the grass for any of the candidates, as their true sales skills were put to the test. Laden with the ‘Breathe Easy’ product – a strip placed across the nose to reduce snoring and improve breathing, the candidates had to sell to pharmacies and gyms in Dublin. The team with the most sales obviously would win.

Steve Rayner walked the task as expected as sales are his field already. He put in an excellent performance and really impressed Bill. Down the far end of the selling scale was Breffny as predicted. With no selling experience he struggled to make one sale until Geraline came to his rescue. Closing a sale herself, Geraldine then placed the sale in Breffny’s order book. Back in the boardroom Bill was unimpressed with this tactic.

Aoiffe slipped up big time by promising one particular pharmacy a sale or return policy. This was not allowed and cost Cú Chulainn dearly. In the end it was Platinum who won and Geraldine, Aoiffe and Breffny faced Bill in the boardroom. Aoiffe and Geraldine were at loggerheads once again with both parties accusing the other of being a liar. In the end it was the cat with nine lives that finally ran out of luck. Breffmania has come to an end.

Episode 8 Catch up

by Meteor on November 10th, 2009

This week the candidates had a real challenge on their hands – invent a product that would show Irish alcohol consumers, how much units of alcohol they are actually drinking. With Aoiffe taking the lead for Cú Chulainn and Steve Rayner taking the lead for Platinum, both teams set about creating this interesting product.

Platinum after a lengthy brainstorm, decided to go with what they called ‘Buddy’, a little container designed in the style of a cartoon head that sits on the top of you bottle. Looked good, only problem was they completely left out the ability for it to measure beer – which was a huge part of the brief! Cú Chulainn went with something a little more boring which they insisted was ‘stylish’. A container which looked like a beaker, not very attractive even if they tried to convince the retailers that they would add some black to the bottom.

The teams presented to three retailers and in general really struggled on their presentations. It was one thing Ruth not knowing her figures after she had done them up a few hours beforehand, but as for Breffny – he completely lost his wording and made an idiot of himself. Poor Geraldine forgot where she was and threw in the word “hammered”, nearly knocking Jackie off her seat with shock.

Back in the boardroom, it was looking like Platinum were going to lose, however they pulled through after winning over three of the retailers. This left Cú Chulainn in trouble. Aoiffe decided to bring Geraldine and Ruth back into the boardroom. There were handbags at dawn between Aoiffe and Geraldine as usual, however Ruth had not impressed Bill and she had to go.

Week 7 Catch up

by Meteor on November 3rd, 2009

It was chocolate time on this week’s task – yum! Both sets of teams arrived in Cadburys where they donned their hair nets and white coats and dived into the chocolate making industry. Each team were asked to create a new bar of dairy milk chocolate. The bar should contain new ingredients, should attract new customers and have a true sense of Irishness.

Breffny was chosen to lead Chú Chulainn while Sam was picked to lead Platinum. Before the task began, Bill made it very clear that he wanted to see some leadership skills in Breffny and wanted Sam to prove that she deserved to be there in the first place.

From the very outset Stephen looked unimpressed with Sam and they clashed over every idea. Sam divided the team so that Lucinda and Stephen could work on the chocolate and she and Steve would work on the focus groups and ideas for the presentation.

Breffny lead his team in military style, which did not go down well with Aoiffe and Ruth. Both girl’s felt offended when he would not listen to them and their ideas. Geraldine backed up Breffny all the way.
Both teams presented to the Cadburys sales team who were in for a special treat of a panto created by our singing Sam. Stephen, who was dressed as an aluminous yellow custard, was not impressed with the idea. Either was Bill. Team Platinum were the losers and Bill gave all members a grilling in the boardroom. Sam chose to bring back the two Steve’s leaving Lucinda to fight another day. In the end it was very clear that Sam is used to dealing with children and cannot bring her skills over to the adult world. As Sam left after being fired, it was noted how she refused to hug Stephen Higgins – obviously Sam is one to hold a grudge.

Episode 6 Catch up

by Meteor on October 27th, 2009

This week the candidates were asked to create a product that would be suitable to sell in SPAR shops over the Christmas period. The profits go to the charity Turning the Tide of Suicide. Bill made some further changes to the teams. Cú Chulainn consisted of Brendan, Aoiffe, Ruth, Breffny and Geraldine. Platinum consisted of Stephen, Steve, Lucinda and Sam.

The teams were given a list of companies that would help them invent a new product for this task. Team Cú Chulainn went for the Jelly Bean Factory where they created a tube of jelly beans – not very innovative. Team Platinum went for a teddy bear and candy stick – again not very innovative. Both teams then presented their ideas to SPAR.

After many mistakes on branding, design and taking off the V.A.T, Bill decided to choose Platinum as the winners. Brendan was left to face the boardroom taking in Aoiffe and Breffny with him. It was noted that Ruth was not taken in after she had made huge mistakes in the budget. Bill gave all three a very hard time. Even Breffny started to lose his temper. In the end it was Brendan’s style of trying to cover everything up that got to Bill and Brendan was for the chop.

Episode 5 Catch up

by Meteor on October 20th, 2009

This week’s task saw the candidates visit Meteor’s head office, where they were requested to create and produce an advert for Meteor’s Broadband To Go device. Humour, engagement and a sense of irishness were the key factors to incorporate, along with demonstrating Meteor’s position as a value leader.

The two teams set off about their task with Lucinda joining team Platinum. It was this team that dived into the task in great team spirit however over on the other side, things were beginning to heat up. Samantha and Steve Rayner just could not agree on anything and it was noted that Steve’s treatment of Samantha was anything but acceptable.

After concepts were created, ad’s recorded and produced, the teams pitched their concepts to Meteor’s marketing team. Although Meteor felt that team Cú Chulainn had the better TV ad, they were not impressed with the animosity that shone through in their presentation. For this reason, team Platinum were chosen as the winners.

In the boardroom Bill was tough on all candidates. Steve in particular got an earful for his inconsiderate behaviour towards Sam. Maria was questioned on her presentation skills and her ability to keep the team together.

In the end Bill made a surprise decision and chose Maria as the candidate to leave.

Episode 4 Catch up

by Meteor on October 13th, 2009

In this week’s task, the candidates really had to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. The two teams were given a house each to renovate, in the hope of increasing the rental property value. Jennifer stepped up as project manager for Platinum, while Geraldine, eager to show what she can do, offered to be project manager for Cú Chulainn. Both teams began their task with great enthusiasm; however it wasn’t long before the cracks began to show. Jennifer, although willing was not really able. Extremely poor delegation skills and time management lead to bitterness from the other candidates on her team. Geraldine albeit making a mistake in taking up the carpets, proved the stronger leader and had her team more on side. Platinum’s teamwork won out in the end and it was team Platinum who were left to face Bill in the boardroom.

Although Bill was tough on Brendan and Aoiffe, who Jennifer brought back with her, Jennifer was always playing a losing game. Inside the boardroom her lack of delegation skills and team management were pointed out severely. Her choice of bringing Aoiffe and Brendan back caused controversy as it has been implied that these two candidates are having more than a professional relationship. In the end it was Jennifer who was sent home.

Episode 3 – Catch Up

by Meteor on October 6th, 2009

This week saw the candidates take on the challenge of creating a print campaign for The Big Red Book to feature in Business and Finance magazine.   It was also the first time the girls and boys were placed on mixed teams which spiced things up a little.

 
After a long debate it was decided Breffny would steer team Cú Chulainn while Setanta decided to lead the Platinum troop.  Team Platinum struggled with the initial concept and due to Setanta’s indecision and bad time management skills, they always seemed like they were catching their tail.  Breffny on the other hand demonstrated his lack of knowledge on mostly everything in business and was held up only by his strong team.  However it was team Platinum that made the major error of spelling the advertiser’s name incorrectly, which not only annoyed him, but really annoyed the big man  himself – Bill.

 
Back in the boardroom Bill was not impressed with Platinum’s performance, although it was noted that the work Aoiffe did on the advertising strategy was excellent.  Cú Chulainn headed off to a nice dinner after winning the task and left Setanta to defend himself and his team. Surprisingly, Setanta brought Geraldine and Ruth back, not the person who was in charge of proof reading the ad. More evidence that the boys are working in a clique. Geraldine stood up for herself in the usual fashion while Ruth battled through her disappointment at being called back in. In the end, Setanta’s waffling had run it’s course, and his inability to stick to a decision saw him picking up his suitcase and heading home.