IDA 'emerging space' clients to announce up to 100 jobs

UP TO 100 new jobs are expected to be announced across a number of IDA Ireland client companies today.

The bulk of the jobs are believed to be in three firms, which are part of the growing “emerging space” sector that IDA Ireland has been building up over the past two years.

Among the announcements is online game developer Red 5 Studios, which is understood to be creating 30 jobs.

The company, which was set up in California by former Blizzard employee Mark Kern, concentrates on massive multiplayer online games.

Global systems and technology services consulting firm Aasonn is believed to be creating 30 jobs, while a third firm, Van Tibolli Beauty, is expected to announce 25 jobs here. IDA Ireland’s emerging companies division was set up under the organisation’s Horizon 2020 strategy in 2010. It has persuaded close to 50 companies to set up in the State, bringing about 1,300 jobs with them.

The news comes only a day after Boston-based technology publishing and research firm IDG said it would create 125 jobs in Ireland by the end of next year, with an investment supported by IDA Ireland.

The firm’s IDG Connect division is to establish a new operational support base on Great Strand Street in Dublin.

The investment is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland.

The division, which is headed locally by general manager John Moran, has already recruited 60 people including a new global head of business intelligence.

The other roles will be across data analysis, campaign management and telephone research.

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton described IDG’s announcement as great news for Dublin.

IDG Connect is a research, media and technology company that supplies white papers, delivers a range of sales services and conducts in depth research for marketers.

Chief executive John O’Malley said it had decided to establish its base here because Ireland offered “the perfect mix of core skills, high levels of education, an established infrastructure and multilingual labour pool to ensure this is a success”.

Separately, online retailer Amazon said earlier this week it would add 100 software and engineering jobs at its development centre in Dublin by the beginning of the Christmas trading period this year.