Latest news with #RichardO'Brien
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
My father was Riff Raff and my childhood was a Horror Show
The son of Rocky Horror creator Richard O'Brien has made a film about the immortal monster his father created. Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, the inevitable but remarkable 50th anniversary documentary about the gender-bending glam-rock musical that became a record-breaking cult movie, starts not in London's West End where it all began, or at a midnight screening in New York, or Los Angeles where it still continues. It starts on a leafy street on a nice day in
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Buying Commercial Property: A Smart Move For Kiwi Business Owners
Commercial property typically delivers stronger returns than residential. On top of that, price corrections over recent years in a number of areas have created some high value opportunities for the Commercial Property investor. As commercial rents slowly rise and property availability tightens, more Kiwi business owners are realising the long-term benefits of owning the building they operate from. Buying your business premises is more than just putting a roof over your head – it's a strategic investment. Not only can it give your business greater stability and security, it can also deliver strong long-term financial rewards. With control over your operating space, you're no longer vulnerable to rising rents or landlords changing terms. Instead, you build equity in an appreciating asset that contributes directly to your balance sheet. 'When you buy, you lock in your location, take control of your fit-out and layout, and potentially even open up rental income if you're not using all the space,' says Richard O'Brien, from NZ Commercial Property for Sale listing site 'You're essentially paying yourself instead of a landlord.' Ownership also allows for better long-term planning. Businesses can invest in their premises with confidence, knowing those improvements will benefit their own property value. And with demand for quality commercial spaces continuing to grow in key regions, a well-positioned building can become a valuable asset in itself. In many cases, business owners find the cost of ownership - with interest rates, outgoings, and maintenance - is often comparable to or even less than leasing, particularly over a 10 to 20 year timeframe. ' Buying a Commercial Property isn't right for every business,' says O'Brien, 'but for those in stable industries with long-term plans, it can be a game-changer. You gain control, grow equity, and give your business a physical asset that can appreciate over time.' If you're a Kiwi business owner with solid trading history, decent cash flow, and a long-term view, now could be the right time to consider investing in your future by buying your own premises. Talk to your accountant or advisor – and start looking in the right locations.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Marketing Mistakes That Cost Business Sellers Big
When selling a business visibility adds value, and cutting corners on marketing could cost you thousands at the negotiation table. In a competitive market, v isibility is the key to securing strong offers and a timely sale. Too many sales campaigns rely on minimal, low-budget advertising that fails to reach serious buyers. 'When it comes to selling a business, marketing isn't where you should be cutting costs,' says Richard O'Brien from Business for Sale listing platform a specialist in business sales and strategy. 'Sellers need to understand that low budget often means low exposure – and that affects the interest and sale price.' The most successful business sales are driven by active, multi-channel marketing – including advertising on all the key business for sale websites, direct outreach to current and qualified buyer databases, industry-specific promotions, and social media campaigns. It's a strategic effort designed to fish in all the big buyer pools to capture quality leads and generate meaningful competition for the business. 'In today's market, you have to go beyond posting a couple of basic listings,' says O'Brien. ' Business buyers are usually found via the top online platforms, on investor and buyer databases and networks, and in industry-specific circles. 'It pays to be visible in the key areas to have the best chance at a premium sale.' Unfortunately, too many sellers, and even some brokers, fall into the trap of low-budget marketing, which often leads to low exposure and limited buyer interest. For the best result when selling a business, allocate a worthy marketing budget, get the visibility and have a marketing plan that will target your most likely buyer. A well-constructed ad and proactive campaign, managed like a product launch, will attract more inquiries, better buyers, and a stronger final price. 'Good marketing pays for itself by delivering real buyer engagement.' Whether selling independently or through a broker, investing in smart, targeted, strategic marketing is one of the best ways to maximise value and speed up the sale. With the right exposure, sellers don't just find a buyer – they find the right buyer.
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth lotto syndicate of 11 tradesmen wins €255,000 EuroMillions
The syndicate are 'Jacks of All Trades', made up of builders, plumbers, electricians, and engineers that have been playing together for five years. The group has stuck to a simple system: one group chat, one EuroMillions ticket each, three lines with the Plus, and everyone keeping an eye on every ticket. On this occasion, their winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased by head of the syndicate, Richard O'Brien, at Applegreen, Newfoundwell Road, Greenbatter, Drogheda, Co. Louth, on the day of the draw. That ticket held the all-important raffle number: I-SDL-14299, and Richard said he initially thought they won a modest €5,000. Typically, every EuroMillions draw produces ten winners of the €5,000 Ireland-Only Raffle prize, but last month players have the chance to win an additional €250,000. 'One of the lads said, 'check again, we've won a lot more than that. There's a special raffle on'. I thought he was pulling my leg until I looked it up. That's when I saw we'd won an extra €250,000. 'The phone was hopping with calls and texts for the rest of the night. It was madness but great excitement,' Richard said. The next morning, Richard phoned the National Lottery Claims team to confirm the win. That evening, the group met up to sign the back of the winning ticket and celebrated their win together. There are many plans for spending the winnings, with talks of holidays and sun destinations, and one winner has his heart set on buying a couch for his partner. The crew of 11 travelled to the National Lottery Headquarters today to collect and celebrate their winnings. This marks the second win in Drogheda over the last week, with €255,000 won last week. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to good causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish language. In total, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for good causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 million was raised for local good causes in communities across Ireland.
RTÉ News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
GAZE Festival previews 33rd year of queer cinema gems
The GAZE LGBTQIA Film Festival 2025 returns to Dublin this summer with a vibrant lineup of feature films and shorts that celebrate queer storytelling and culture. Taking place from 29 July to 4 August at the Light House Cinema and the Irish Film Institute in Dublin, the festival is set to mark its 33rd edition with an exciting programme. Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror will make its Irish premiere at the festival. Directed and produced by Linus O'Brien - son of Rocky Horror creator Richard O'Brien - this 2025 American documentary pays tribute to the enduring legacy of the iconic 1975 cult musical. Documentary, I'm Your Venus, explores the life and legacy of the late Venus Xtravaganza, beloved star of Paris is Burning. Decades after her tragic murder, the film reunites Venus' biological and ballroom families in a powerful effort to reopen the case and seek justice for her long-unsolved death. Lesbian Space Princess is a brilliant showcase of queer animation at its most imaginative. This Australian absurdist animated comedy invites you on a wild interstellar adventure, as the fearless space princess embarks on a mission to rescue her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend. Closing the festival is Dreams In Nightmares a 2024 internationally co-produced dramedy that blends humour and hope to imagine vibrant queer futures in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Written, directed, and produced by Shatara Michelle Ford, the film follows three queer women on an emotional, and often hilarious road trip through a deeply divided Trump-era America. The full programme will be announced at GAZE's launch taking place at the Irish Film Institute on 24 June, during Pride Week. The event will also feature a special preview screening of Hot Milk, a bold and evocative adaptation of Deborah Levy's acclaimed novel.
