Perfecting Partnerships

Miranda Grace

Miranda has more than 15 years of experience in sponsorship and event management. She has worked with some of the world's leading brands, including Kia Motors, Heineken, Optus, Evian and Samsung.  In London, Miranda managed major film events, including securing and managing sponsors, and worked within the Australian sporting arena at AFL club Essendon and A-League franchise Melbourne Victory. 

More recently, Miranda managed key sponsors for the Australian Open, before relocating to Surfers Paradise to head up sponsorship services for the Surfers Paradise Festival and other Gold Coast events. She then travelled a little further north to Brisbane for the role of Manager, Sponsorship and Licensing at P4 Group, a national integrated communications agency.  In this role Miranda manages range of dynamic national clients including, the Heart Foundation, Brisbane BMW, South Bank Corporation and international concert tour for Status Quo.

Miranda's dedication and commitment to her clients has produced lasting personal relationships, strong campaign outcomes and outstanding brand exposure.

Follow P4 Group on Facebook |  Follow on Twitter: @P4group

p4.com.au

p4.com.au

April Whittam

April Whittam is a leading practitioner in Brisbane’s marketing, sponsorship and event arenas with over 18 years experience. As previous chair of the Queensland Sponsorship Australasia Chapter and Editor for the industry’s publication, she is an active participant in the industry.  Having been involved in both sides of the industry, from selling to managing sponsorships, April has managed leading portfolios, as well as major events marketing, sponsorship and brand marketing.

April is currently Community Engagement Manager at QR National which is Australia’s largest national rail freight operator. She is responsible for the strategic development and management of the company’s sponsorship, community investment and engagement, philanthropy, hospitality and events.

Her experience is broad having been the Director of Consulting at Repucom International and conducted extensive evaluations and dedicated sponsorship research programs that serviced both leading brands and rights-holders, including Westpac, Motorola, Federal Government’s 2007 APEC Taskforce, AFL, NGV, Department of Community Safety (QLD Govt), Department of Transport, Coca Cola and Virgin Blue. She was also the General Manager, Strategy and Marketing at International Quarterback and consulted into companies on sponsorship strategy to leading brands and rights holders including Bank of Queensland, Fosters Group, Suncorp, Qld Rail, Magic Millions and Surfing Australia. April also lecturers and tutors in sponsorship and events marketing at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology.

Follow on Twitter: @QRNational

qrnational.com.au

qrnational.com.au

Nick Pritchard

Nick Pritchard is Creative Sponsorship Specialist of Nick Pty Ltd and Chair of Sponsorship Australasia (Qld).

He is one of Brisbane’s best-known and most well-respected creatives. He is the architect of many successful brand, advertising, direct marketing and outdoor campaigns for some of Australia’s most recognised household names. 

As founder and Creative Director of decoder, Nick combined his passion for creativity with an uncompromising approach to results-based marketing. Embedding tried and tested direct response techniques, he delivered cut through creative solutions for blue chip clients such as Qantas, Suncorp, Queensland Events and Santos.

2012 saw Nick establish a new business that specialises in sponsorship activation and providing advice on new and innovative ways to maximise investment and deliver a strong ROI.

Panel Chair: Cat Matson

Cat Matson is Brisbane's Chief Digital Officer, overseeing the citywide Digital Brisbane strategy. Under the strategy, Cat is responsible for driving economic growth through digital adoption in the SME sector, strengthening the city's digital start-up ecosystem and facilitating Cyber City initiatives. Recently named as a rising female in the technology sector by the Sydney Morning Herald, Cat is considered an industry leader when it comes to the digital space, with a savvy business mind and a robust understanding of the wider business context.

LinkedIn | Follow on Twitter: @catmatson @DigitalBNE

catmatson.com.au

Entertainment Quickie by Jay Jay

Jay Jay has just come back from overseas and will be entertaining us for a few minutes on the night!  If you're planning your End of Year Corporate Function or Work Christmas Party, think of Jay Jay if you need an MC, Entertainer or Comedian. Mixing his stylish and cool persona with magic, audiences gasp in amazement and laugh at his humour, approachability and antics.

Follow Jay Jay on Facebook | Follow on Twitter @JayJayLive

www.JayJay.TV