18 Apr
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
First Irish win in Google European Awards
Athy, Co Kildare, Ireland, February 23 2015
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Oliver Murray
Contemporary Photography
Telephone Office: 00 353 (0)59 863 3780
Telephone Mobile: 00 353 (0)85 248 3053
Email: info@contemporaryphotography.ie
Website: www.contemporaryphotography.ie
Oliver Murray addressing the Google Annual Awards in Zurich, Switzerland
Print resolution images and further resources: https://contemporaryphotography.eu/press/ (Note .eu suffix)
Irish Business View Photographer receives Google Annual European Marketing / PR Award.
Oliver Murray, a County Kildare based photographer has become the first Irish winner in the Google Maps Business View Annual Awards.
The award was made in connection with a virtual tour of the National Ploughing Championships 2014 which was commissioned by Bank of Ireland
Oliver Murray, an accredited Google Business View photographer received the prestigious Google European Award at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland.
The tour was hosted on the Bank of Ireland website and allowed visitors to plan their visit to the ploughing in advance. Those who were unable to visit in person were also able to get information about all 1,400 businesses who exhibited in the trade area.
The National Ploughing Championships are the largest outdoor event in Europe, attracting more than 275,000 people over three days.
Commenting on the tour the National Ploughing Association Managing Director, Anna May McHugh said: “The NPA has a proud tradition of pioneering the use of new technology, dating back to 1931. I am personally delighted that Bank of Ireland is enabling the event to be experienced from wherever you are in the world, through Google Street View”.
Mr Murray’s late father Aidan’s close harmony musical group the Carlow Septet played at the original National Ploughing Championships when they were held outside Athy in the 1930’s.
Mr Murray was honoured to be invited to address the awards ceremony, attended by Google staff and top performing Google photographers and agencies from all over Europe.
The remaining awards went to photographers and agencies in Germany, France, Spain, the UK, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Those wanting more information on the Google Maps Business View virtual tours can contact Oliver Murray on 059 863 3780, 085 248 3053.or visit http://www.contemporaryphotography.ie.
Google Maps Business View is available to virtually every business in Ireland who want to improve how they show up on the Internet.
A ‘Google Trusted Photographer’ undertakes a photo shoot of the business premises using special equipment.
These images are then used to crerate a ‘virtual tour’ where anyone with internet access can explore the business premises. These can be accessed on all devices 24/7.
The business will show up better on all Google properties, which currently include Google+, Google Maps, Google Street View and of course Google Search. There is a one off cost for having the tour recorded, but there are no ongoing costs or fees.
Examples of a tour can be found by searching on Google for ‘Bang and Olufsen Dublin’, or for ‘Frank O’Briens Pub’ and clicking on ‘See Inside’ in the right hand column.
Mr Murray is a qualified photographer who spend many years persuing a successful career based in London where he photographed a wide range of subjects in the UK and throughout Europe.
“The Google Virtual Tour is a fantastic tool for any business wanting to improve their presence on the internet” he said recently. He continued “Not only does the tour show up on search, but it can easily be added to a website, blog, social media post or email. That Google have put so much resources into this project is a testament to their belief in the long term future of Google Maps Business View.”
Google Hotel View is the first of two products recently launched by Google which will aid the tourism industry. To give it its full name ‘Google Maps Business View for Hotels’ is a specialist virtual tour geared towards the particular requirements of premises who offer accommodation.
This allows anyone thinking of visiting the hotel to take a virtual tour and look at the facilities that are of particular interest to them.
As well as moving through the lobby, reception and bar areas the visitor can take a good look at the ambiance of the restaurant.
Those thinking of an overnight stay can examine the different types of accommodation from suites to double, triple and family rooms.
Brides and Grooms can look at the wedding ceremony room, banqueting suite and even visit the gardens to assess the photo opportunities.
Business visitors can look at all the hotel facilities including meeting rooms and banqueting facilities.
Research shows that hotels with Google virtual tours attract more visitiors than those who do not.
Google Hotel Finder is the second new product which is aimed at giving the public transparent, honest information on hotels and B&Bs.
Google Hotel Finder is being rolled out on a phased basis and is regarded by many as the greatest change to the way people access information about accommodation in recent times.
Oliver Murray of Contemporarry Photography is one of a select group of Google Trusted Photographers who have been accredited to provide Google Maps Business View for Hotels.
Speaking in Zurich recently Mr Murray said “The vast majority of hotel managers we encounter have not heard about Google Maps Business View. I predict that this will start to change very rapidly over the coming months.”
“When we create a Google Virtual Tour with the appropiate information embedded” he continued “it becomes an incredibly valuable, cost effective tool to get direct bookings from potential customers.”
“Once hotel professionals realise the potential of the virtual tour and the way it can be utilised on websites, social media and even emails they become very enthusastic.”
The most common comment we receive after the tour is completed is a request that we do not approach their competition any time soon!” Mr Murray concluded.
Examples of hotel tours can be found by searching on Google for ‘Clanard Court Hotel’ or ‘Woodford Dolmen’ and clicking on ‘See Inside’ in the right hand column.
In the case of hotels further views of the bedrooms, restaurant, gardens, banqueting, spa treatment rooms and meeting rooms can be viewed by selecting the appropiate thumbnail image from the runway under the main image.
Oliver Murray of Contemporary Photography is one of a select group of Google Trusted Photographers who have been accredited to supply Google Maps Business View for Hotels.
Those wanting more information on the Google Maps Business View virtual tours can contact Oliver Murray on 059 863 3780, 085 248 3053.or visit http://www.contemporaryphotography.ie.
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First Irish Win Google European Awards Press Release
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