It’s been more than 1,500 years since Saint Patrick was laid to rest and could no longer use the shamrock to explain to Christians the idea of the Holy Trinity. Thanks to St. Patrick's Day every March 17th, his legacy inspires millions the world over to consume massive amounts of alcohol and shout “Top of the morning to ya!” to anyone who passes. With such a jovial reputation, you can bet that brands, alcoholic or not, take advantage of the built-in marketing ploy—and not just those participating in Pantone's color of the year for 2013.Continue reading...

Guinness is not only good for you — in the near future, it could be good for the environment, too.

Researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland looking at canned stouts recently discovered that "microscopic plant fibers made of cellulose, such as cotton, can also froth up a stout."

A cellulose alternative to the plastic widget currently used in those cans would thus create "an eco-friendly head on your Guinness."

Think of it as the 'right' sort of green beer — as opposed to the to-dye-for wrong sort.

As for the enduring popularity of the 250-year-old beer, which is running a "Saint Patrick's Day primer" campaign this year, click here to read about how Guinness continues to be "brand excellence, personified."

Slainte!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, President Obama today announced he will be visiting Ireland in May. His trip will include a visit to Donegal, where his great-great-great-great grandfather was born.

In keeping with its annual tradition, the water in the White House fountain is bright green today, but that's not America's most famous annual green dye job pegged to St. Paddy's Day.

That honor goes to McDonald's, which every year since 1961 has dyed the Chicago river green to promote its limited-edition Shamrock Shake and raise money for its Ronald McDonald House charity — a move that isn't perceived as entirely green, even as the chain itself adopts more sustainable practices.Continue reading...

We're sure this announcement wasn't deliberately timed to St. Patrick's Day, but Citigroup today named Dermot Boden, the Irish-born chief marketing officer at LG Electronics, as its new chief brand officer.

Citi CEO Vikram Pandit praised Boden for his "creativity, thoughtfulness and the ability to execute a strategy over the course of a career during which he has contributed to the building of many different and successful brands."

Boden, who spearheaded LG's involvement in YouTube's Life in a Day project, will oversee Citi's 200th anniversary marketing next year. Before joining LG in 2007, he held business and marketing positions at Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Warner Lambert in Europe, Asia and the US.

Guinness has released a St. Patrick's Day primer — tongue in cheek, of course — offering tips for how to enjoy March 17th.Continue reading...