O’Brien firm offers rewards to staff using BuyandSell.ie

Staff at Denis O'Brien's Irish media group Communicorp have been encouraged by their bosses to sell their "unwanted stuff" and "earn some extra money for Christmas" via the newly relaunched sister business BuyandSell.ie.

The digital classified business was taken over by Mr O'Brien earlier this year following a protracted bidding process and Communicorp chief executive Gervaise Slowey wrote to staff this week to encourage cross-fertilisation between the businesses. "We have just launched the new BuyandSell.ie website," Ms Slowey said. "We want to make it the leading online market place in Ireland and we need your help.

“We would like to ask all of you to upload any unwanted stuff you may have at home (could be an easy way to make yourself some extra money for Christmas!). Placing an ad is really easy and free of charge.”

As an added incentive for staff and their families, a competition offering the chance of winning “two fantastic prizes” was opened up.

Free Lady Gaga tickets

Early advertisers were offered the chance to win a stay in the Imperial Hotel in Cork or two tickets to tonight’s Lady Gaga concert in the 3Arena in Dublin.

BuyandSell.ie chief executive Nóirín Ní Laocha said the letter to Communicorp staff was part of a wider move by the company to tell “everyone and anyone we know” about the relaunch.

“[We’re using] any avenue to get people to activate and get . . . on the site,” she added.

When asked if similar communications had been issued to staff of other businesses owned by Mr O'Brien, including Independent News & Media and fuel retailer Topaz, Ms Ní Laocha said: "Not as of yet."

Buy & Sell launched in 1991 in print, before adding a digital presence in 1998. It is now a digital-only business. Mr O'Brien bought the business out of liquidation this year. Communicorp subsidiary Dermica Ltd, in a process overseen by the Supreme Court, eventually outbid Midland Web Printing Ltd. The price paid by Dermica was not disclosed, but is believed to have been more than €300,000.

BuyandSell.ie relaunched on Tuesday and Ms Ní Laocha said an extensive media campaign to promote the business would be launched on Monday.