Tourism New Zealand still making changes

It seems that Tourism New Zealand is quietly reshaping its board and organization, making an announcement every now and then about new people coming on board.

It seems that Tourism New Zealand is quietly reshaping its board and organization, making an announcement every now and then about new people coming on board. It was just a little under two months ago when the exact same title as the one that appeared on their press release came out again today from Tourism New Zealand announcing new individuals in leadership positions within their organization.

Tourism New Zealand today announced the appointment of two key positions to their organization โ€“ that of General Manager Australia and General Manager Asia.

Tony Saunders, Tourism New Zealandโ€™s existing Regional Marketing Communications Manager, Australia has been appointed to the role of General Manager Australia. David Craig has been appointed General Manager Asia, the role he is currently acting in.

Tourism New Zealandโ€™s Director of Trade, PR and Major Events Justin Watson said the organization is committed to promoting its best people, especially into key leadership roles.

โ€œBoth Tony and David are already with Tourism New Zealand and their proven success was a key consideration in their appointments.

โ€œTony has more than 14 yearsโ€™ experience as a marketer and joined Tourism New Zealand as Regional Marketing Communications Manager for Australia in January 2011.

โ€œHe will be a familiar figure to many in the industry having led the marketing communications development for a number of highly successful partner campaigns run in what is our largest source market.

โ€œTony has also managed global brands for Campbell-Arnotts based in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, as well as Yum Restaurants in Australia.

โ€œTonyโ€™s knowledge of and experience in Australia, existing relationships with trade partners on both sides of the Tasman, and proven success in working alongside the RTOs make him the perfect person for this role.

โ€œDavid Craig has been with Tourism New Zealand since July 2013, initially contracted to develop our entry strategy for the LATAM market.

โ€œHe brings more than 20 yearsโ€™ international experience to the organization and has a successful track record of managing extensive teams, significant investment and joint ventures while building consumer brands across New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Asia and Latin America,โ€ said Justin.

Davidโ€™s previous roles include GM Sales and Marketing for the New Zealand Racing Board, GM Consumer Marketing for Telecom New Zealand and Managing Director of Asia Venture Markets for Diageo (the worldโ€™s leading premium drinksโ€™ business with a portfolio of brands including Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Guinness).

It was in this role that David oversaw activity in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

โ€œDavid brings a wealth of valuable experience in working across Asia, along with a first-hand understanding of New Zealand,โ€ said Justin.

Tony and David join GM Western Markets Gregg Anderson to lead Tourism New Zealandโ€™s international-based staff across 12 offices.

Justin adds: โ€œWith the two new General Managers now in place, we will be moving the reporting line for Indonesia to the Regional Manager South and South East Asia (Mischa Mannix-Opie) under the direction of David Craig.

โ€œNow that the Jakarta office is established and staff appointed, the delivery of in-market activity is well aligned to activity delivered across the rest of Asia.โ€

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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