SALES TEAM BOOSTED TO CATER FOR NEW BUSINESS DEMAND VIRGIN BLUE BREAKING INTO CORPORATE SECTOR

Virgin Blue has announced a new “sales force” to deal with the increasing interest in Virgin Blue from the corporate community.

It comes as the low fare carrier launches flights on Australia’s busiest route, Sydney-Melbourne, following overwhelming demand from the business market.

The boosting of the sales team also coincides with the launch of Virgin Blue’s new business advertising campaign, aimed at enticing the loyalty of more business travellers and corporate organisations.

Virgin Blue has appointed a National Sales Manager, Jon Marshall, who will work closely with the Head of Commercial, David Huttner, to ensure the Virgin Blue Sales team can cater even better to the needs of the corporates and travel trade.

“As our travel trade support continues to grow and with over 40% of Virgin Blue’s guests now from the corporate sector, we felt the time was right time to increase resources. Jon has got the professional travel trade experience and the innovation and attitude to lead the Virgin Blue Sales team,” said David Huttner.

Virgin Blue is also proud to welcome new Sales team members to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Jon Marshall - National Sales Manager -Jon heads up our sales team and hails from a diverse background in commercial sales, tourism services, wholesale travel, car rental and financial services. Most recently Jon was General Manager of domestic wholesaler Travelpoint. Prior to that he enjoyed a three year stint at the RACV where he set up the national body AAA Tourism. Jon was also National Commercial Manager for Diners Club Australia and National Travel Industry Manager for Hertz.

Anthony Cooper, Queensland Sales – Anthony has a combination of travel industry and hospitality experience, working as an Ansett consultant specialising in the corporate market and also for Royal Brunei as part of the Sales team. He brings those skills to the Virgin Blue team and is eager to introduce new Corporates to the unique Virgin Blue product.

Amanda Derbyshire, Victorian Sales – Amanda joins the Virgin Blue team with extensive experience having worked in sales for Bass Hotel and Resorts at the Holiday Inn on Flinders. Amanda also spent seven years working as a travel agent.

David Bayly, New South Wales Sales – David has specialist experience in the aviation industry, having worked for a number of domestic airlines, including Impulse where he held the role as Development Manager. He also held the position of National Account Manager for Accor Asia Pacific Hotels for three years and worked with Qantas as a domestic and corporate sales agent.

The new Sales representatives join senior South Australian representative, Alison Thomas, while Leesa Madsen will support the team in her role as Sales Co-ordinator.

Simon Liddell (former QLD Sales) moves to a Team Leader role in Virgin Blue’s Reservations Department, Tracey Thomas (former NSW Sales) takes time out to be a new Mum and Kathy Jankievski (former VIC Sales) leaves Virgin Blue to take up new challenges.