In my current role as Business Development Manager, I develop and implement international and domestic on/off premise brand strategies and sales models for a portfolio of clients, including several entrepreneurial Wine, Port and Vodka brands from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France and Portugal. Driving performance, development and growth, I work through agents / distributors and their sales force to maintain my client’s business objectives and relationships at the highest level. My key markets include: Scandinavia, Baltic States, Ireland, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, Quebec, Greece, Cyprus, USA, Africa and the United Kingdom.

My responsibilities include the brand development of an alternative packaging company called Think Wines Ltd. As the first wine producer in the world to use Aluminium packaging for wines, I have successfully managed the product rollout and launch phases into America, Holland, Belgium, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Greece, Mozambique and several monopoly markets within Canada and Scandinavia. Proving that a blend of quality, design and eco friendly approach can make a difference in the wine market, key accounts (such as the SAQ stores in Quebec, The Mirage in Las Vegas, The Hilton Hotel chains and several Yacht clubs throughout America) have since implemented “low carbon blueprints” to incorporate Think Wines.

All technical aspects of vineyard harvest operations of Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon wines: Harvesting (August / October) – picking, crushing, pressing grapes, clean-up, tasting room sales; Preparing the wine for bottling, cold stabilizing, fermentation, racking and topping barrels

In my previous role as the Marketing Executive for Wine Australia, I managed the development, co-ordination and execution of initiatives in the retail segment to increase the awareness, image and profile of the Australian wine category in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East & Africa). Based in The Netherlands, I was responsible for formulating and implementing the AWBC’s collaborative export marketing and promotional activities with the aim of expanding the footprint of Wine Brand Australia within Continental Europe. The position required frequent travel to key markets: Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, France, UK and Australia. As the “key contact” for retail within Europe, I coordinated and managed new and existing sponsors such as COOP, METRO, AHOLD, DANSK, Gall & Gall and independent wine specialty shops (FMCG brand marketing), by adding value for our stakeholders (Australian wineries). My objective was undertaken within the guidelines of the identified strategic imperatives of Wine Australia to defend and build Wine Australian’s existing customer base, attracting new retail customers at higher price points and build and invest in market leadership.

Provided high-level strategic advice, options and support to managers and staff in relation to a large campus closure; project outlines, costings and briefings for Senior Management GroupI was also responsible for the development of publications, advertising and other marketing materials, working directly with designers, photographers and printers / liaison with business development managers and research staff, development of marketing initiatives and materials that promote the research capabilities and achievements for the University Program Coordinator for the Australian Business Week Program (ABW), Working Links and the International Business Week (IBW) seminar series. Event development / coordination of UniSA events such as Open Day, Tour Down Under, Postgraduate Forum, Alumni networking functions and community events