The Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) has held its inaugural Annual General Meeting. Members gathered recently to unanimously ratify the formation of the new organisation, and to elect officers.
The new Association has been established to represent professional motoring journalists across print and digital outlets in Ireland and is the result of a merger between the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) and the Association of Professional Motoring Press (APMP).
At the first AGM of the new Association, the following appointments to officer roles were made:
Chair: Joe Rayfus;
Vice-Chair: Daragh Keany;
Secretary: David Walshe;
Treasurer: Martin McCarthy;
Public Relations Officer: Caroline Kidd.
The MMAI will be responsible for organising the annual Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year and Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year Awards, Ireland’s most prestigious and widely recognised motoring accolades for over 40 years. Only members of the MMAI are eligible to vote in these awards, which determine the best new cars and vans to be launched each year.
Leah Carroll and Michael Moroney were elected to the Awards Executive and will be joined by Joe Rayfus to oversee the planning and organisation of the annual Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year awards.
John Galvin and Cathal Doyle were elected to join Daragh Keany on the Association’s Members Executive, which will oversee membership criteria of the MMAI. Membership will be restricted to media professionals currently producing original motoring related content in Ireland, with membership eligibility reviewed on an annual basis.
The MMAI brings together Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists across print, broadcast, and online media, with members representing the full spectrum of national, local, and online media. The new Association has been created to be modern and inclusive, with members from around the country working in the interests of motorists and new car buyers across Ireland.
Speaking at the AGM, Joe Rayfus, newly elected Chair of the MMAI, said: “I am honoured to be elected as the first Chairperson of the MMAI and I am also incredibly grateful to my peers for giving me the opportunity to lead this association of exceptional, talented, and deeply committed motoring journalists.
“As a new association, we will build on the great traditions and values of our former organisations, while working together to represent all our members and ensure that now and long into the future the Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year Awards continue to be the most prestigious and highly regarded awards among the industry and consumers.”
Further details on the Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year Awards 2023 will be issued by the MMAI in the coming weeks, with an Awards Gala planned for November.
The website of the MMAI is currently under construction.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association