CV – BUSINESS
OLIVIA STRATTON MA, Dip(SHA), Dip(LCB), Dip(Ling)
FOOD, WINE, TOURISM, FASHION & EDUCATION
Food & Wine Specialist – Masters Degree in Gastronomy, Ambassador for Australia, TV Presenter & former Miss Australia
OVERVIEW OF SPECIALISED AREAS: 1999 – Current
• WINE: Extensive knowledge of Australian wine, varietals, regions, wineries, industry contacts and good knowledge of French, German, Italian and Spanish
• MARKETING: Involved in developing market for Australian wine in Asia and Australia, managed and delivered wine promotion program and wine education sessions to international media and key decision makers in China, engage well with wide range of people from diverse cultures
• PR: Brand ambassador, extensive contact base in Australian wine industry and media, strategic partnerships, strategic internal and external communications, strong networker
• MEDIA: TV Presenter for food and wine shows, TV production, journalism, photo journalism, professional speaker, radio, print media and social media
• BUSINESS: Project management, brand development, managed events, sales and sponsorship
• AMBASSADORIAL ROLES: Sauchin Ambassador for Australian food, wine and tourism in Asia, SA Great State Ambassador and many roles with government, community and charity
• INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Masters Degree in Gastronomy (Thesis: Organics and certification in Australia), Le Cordon Bleu Diploma, Linguistics Diploma, Swiss Hotel Management (3 years/ core subjects) – Sales and Marketing, Communications, Australian Wine and International Wine, Convention and Event Management, Tourism, Accounting, Total Quality Management, Operations Management and HR Management
MARKETING, PR & MEDIA
SA’s First State Wine Festival: Project Manager
May 2010 – March 2011
• Contractual role to set-up South Australia’s first state wine festival to provide the missing ‘wine and food’ element for Adelaide’s international festival line-up each year. The Cellar Door Wine Festival – Adelaide took place 25-27 February at the Adelaide Convention Centre
• Conducted extensive research, devised festival concept and content, marketing strategy, branding, collateral copy and design, advertising campaign, secured premium sponsors: Wine Australia launched first A+ Australian Wine consumer master classes in the world, BEA Motors – Mercedes and Smart, Riedel, Spiegelau, charity partner Touch Wine and media sponsors
• Managed PR, media campaign (print, radio, outdoor, electronic, social media) and highlights such as securing a Smart Car to push pre-sold tickets – Beryl the Smart Car Berry wrapped in purple with giant green leaf ‘double your chance to win by simply pre-purchasing your entry ticket’, festival media launch, advertising spend and placement, as well as negotiating and working with external designers and advertising agencies for the campaign
• Event management and extensive theming – recreated SA’s wine regions in the heart of the city to walk through for 2.5 day festival, achieved 5000+ visitors not only from SA but also interstate and overseas to showcase the best of SA, providing the missing ‘wine and food’ element to Adelaide’s international festival line-up and also as an official Fringe event
• Secured 100+ wineries, the first 60 winery stalls sold out in just 12 days – the concept and unique marketing of the festival proved very popular at all levels of industry and media
• Wineries included the internationally renowned such as Penfolds, Wolf Blass, d’Arenberg and Henschke to local award winning heroes – wine sales at the festival were strong and excellent feedback from both wineries and visitors
• For more details, feel free to Google… 2011 Cellar Door Wine Festival – Adelaide
Apple Bar: Marketing and Events Consulting
January 2010 – April 2010
• Contractual role to set-up marketing and events for the launch of the new bar
• Devised marketing collateral, sales kits and 12-month action plan
News Limited: Sunday Mail Social Editor and Host of The O List
December 2007 – December 2009
• Attended and featured 1500+ events during the two-year period (15 events/ week)
• Developed extensive contacts across all industries in SA (and grew advertising spend)
• FOOD & WINE EVENTS: Tasting Australia, Penfolds Icon and Luxury Release events, Penfolds Grange annual cellar door releases, Wolf Blass ‘Behind the Bowtie’ VIP Lunch, Lexus Young Chef and Waiter of the Year Lunch at Henschke by the Hill of Grace vineyard, Vogue Entertaining + Travel Champagne Dinners, Manjimup Truffle Degustation at Auge, The Lane Vineyard Official Opening, Longview VIP vintage launches, a long list of wine tastings and dinners including d’Arenberg, Primo Estate, Hardy’s, Grant Burge and Kilikanoon, as well as Crush, Sea and Vines and Norwood Food and Wine Festivals
• MAJOR EVENTS: Tour Down Under, Fringe, WOMAD, Clipsal 500 and MTV Awards – Red Carpet (Sydney)
• The O List comprised of two double-page spreads (750,000 readership) in the Sunday Mail each week as well as a popular on-line web TV series for News Limited’s Adelaide Now website
• Self-directed, fast paced, autonomous role, solely responsible and managed all areas –research, all written material, conducted interviews, acquired sponsors, actively involved in marketing and on-going branding, event selection, extensive networking and liaising with PR agencies and event organisers, managed photographers, job briefs and page layout
Independent Research: Key Restaurants and Wine Regions Visited
January 2008 – April 2011
• New York: Jean-Georges (3 Michelin Stars), Per Se (3 Michelin Stars)
• London: The Fat Duck (3 Michelin Stars), Sketch (1 Michelin Star)
• Paris: 1728 (1 Michelin Star)
• Sydney: Tetsuya’s (3 Chef’s Hats), Marque (3 Chef’s Hats), Est (3 Chef’s Hats)
• Melbourne: Vue de Monde (3 Chef’s Hats), Ezard (2 Chef’s Hats)
• Melbourne and Sydney: Rockpool (2 Chef’s Hats), Longrain (1 Chef’s Hat)
• Perth: The Loose Box, Jackson’s, Fraser’s, Must Winebar
• Margaret River: Vasse Felix, Xanadu, Cullen, Wise Wine, Lamont’s
• Adelaide: Grange (Cheong Liew’s Last Long Table), The Manse, Auge, Bridgewater Mill, Assaggio, Magill Estate Restaurant (Penfolds Grange Dinner), Jolley’s Boathouse, Shiki, Chloe’s, Enoteca, Chianti, Alphutte, The Lane Vineyard, Star of Greece and Fino
• Barossa Valley: Rockford’s Stone Wall Table, 1918, Murdock, Vintners
WINE REGIONS: Napa Valley, Central Otago, Margaret River, Swan Valley, Goulburn Valley, Upper and Lower Hunter Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Riverland and Adelaide Hills
Key Ambassadorial Roles: PR and Charity
January 2008 – April 2011
• 2010 Camp Quality Chandon Supper Club – Ambassador
• 2009 RSPCA Million Paws Walk – Ambassador
• 2009 Horse SA Annual Breakfast – MC with Paspaley Polo’s Co-Founder Janek Gazecki
• 2008 National Languages Champion with National Australia Bank’s CEO Ahmed Fahour
• 2008 Angaston Agricultural Show Opening – Keynote Speaker
• 2008 Reach Out youth help group – Profiled Supporter
• 2008 United Nations youth food program campaign – Profiled Supporter
• 2008/09 Hutt Street Ctr. Touch Wine homeless project with UK wine guru Matthew Dukes
• JUDGING ROLES: Le Cordon Bleu final year students examiner, SA Great Young South Australian of the Year, Fashions on the Field and national modelling competitions
Television: Presenting Roles
January 2005 – January 2010
• Getaway TV series: Guest Presenter for food and wine special (Channel 9, 2010)
• Australian Poker Hero TV series at Crown Casino: Co-Host (Channel 9, 2009)
• Fashion Avenue festival premiere: Presenter (Official on-line clip, 2009)
• Discover lifestyle TV series: Food and Wine Presenter (Channel 7, 2008)
• The O List web TV series: Host (Adelaide Now, 2008/09)
• Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Host (Foxtel, Nine MSN, 2007)
• Sumptuous food, wine and travel TV series: Host (Channel 7, 2006)
• Bon Voyage travel TV series: Guest Presenter (Televised in 25+ countries, 2005)
SA Great: State Ambassador for South Australia
August 2002 – March 2005
• Selected from over 700 candidates to represent and promote South Australia in alliance with SA Great, the State Government and Adelaide City Council
• Extensive networking and community involvement, guest speaker and MC
• Honorary position and one of the longest serving team members
Own Business: Brand Ambassador, PR, Consulting and Project Management Roles
October 2003 – December 2007
KEY ROLES & PROJECTS:
• Rosemount Australian Fashion Week – Australia (May 2007)
Role: TV Presenter for Nine MSN and Foxtel
Focus on Rosemount Estate as key sponsor, interviewed A-list celebrities including
Dita Von Teese, The Veronicas, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas, Australia’s top designers Alex Perry, Jayson Brunsdon, Sass & Bide’s Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, Camilla and Marc, Willow, Josh Goot, Ksubi and supermodels Miranda Kerr and Tara Moss
• Sumptuous: Food, wine and travel TV series – Australia (2006)
Role: TV Presenter – headhunted to host and launch the lifestyle TV series for Channel 7
Travelled throughout SA to all regions to interview key figures and feature the state’s finest food, wine, festivals and travel experiences. Also included Upper and Lower Hunter Valley.
Key wineries: Yangarra Estate, Chapel Hill, Leo Buring, Angove’s, Woodstock, d’Arenberg, Glaezter, Heartland, Jim Barry Wines and Nepenthe
• HOSTEC Hospitality Management Group – Australia (2005-2006)
Role: Business consultant for the Sydney-based company
Devised standard operating procedures and training manuals for hotel groups
• Chinese Chamber of Commerce – Australia (Feb 2005)
Role: Guest Speaker
Event focused on cultural fusion including tea/ wine, cuisine and language
• Deloitte and Australia China Business Council – Australia and China (Jan 2005)
Role: Guest Speaker aligned with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The presentation topic and title: ‘Conducting Business in China’ – Foreign trade and investment advice
• Bon Voyage: International travel TV series – Asia (Jan 2005)
Role: Guest Presenter – televised in over 25 countries
TV series segment focused on Australian food, wine and culture
• Australian Universities International Alumni Convention – Hong Kong (Dec 2004)
Role: Representative for Education and Guest Speaker with former PM Bob Hawke, Virgin Atlantic’s Head of Asia Pacific Mackenzie Grant and The Hour Glass renowned watch boutique’s MD Jannie Tay
Panel discussion topic: ‘Image: is it everything?’ – The importance of branding
• Sauchin: Australian Food, Wine and Tourism Exposition – Asia (Oct-Nov 2004)
Role: Sauchin Ambassador for Australia
PR management, liaising with international media, extensive networking, presented wine education sessions throughout the four-week period in Shanghai, promoted and assisted in securing sales and distribution in China for the folio of Australian wineries.
Eg: Wineries included Bremerton, Chalk Hill, Clegett Wines and Barossa Valley Estate
• Australian Embassy – China (Oct-Nov 2004)
Role: Sauchin Ambassador for Australian Food, Wine and Tourism
Australian food and wine showcase involved hosting regular high profile dinners for diplomats and key decision makers in Shanghai throughout the four-week promotion
• Australian Embassy – Japan (Sept 2004)
Role: International Representative for Australia
International relations and special guest at ‘Japan Night’ cultural event
• Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce – Australia (July 2004)
Role: Master of Ceremonies
Australian food and wine showcase held at Hyatt
• International Variety Convention – Australia (April 2004)
Role: 2004 Ambassador for Variety ‘The Children’s Charity’
Guest Speaker and MC for the week with International President Ory Slonim from Israel
• South Australian Jockey Club – Australia (March-June 2004)
Role: 2004 Ambassador and ‘Face’ of Adelaide Cup, MC, Fashions on the Field Judge
Strong focus on fashion and promoting SA, the role spanned across Magic Millions, Adelaide Cup, Barrier Draw Breakfast, Chairman’s Luncheon, Schweppes Oaks Day, ASMF Foundation Luncheon, as well as regional events for Mt Gambier’s Gold Cup and Broken Hill’s St Pat’s Race Day
• Clipsal 500 State Dinner – Australia (March 2004)
Role: Co-host with Channel 10 Motor Sports Presenter Bill Woods
• Miss Australia: Year of Service – Australia and Overseas (Oct 2003-Oct 2004)
Role: Representative for Australian food, wine, tourism, fashion and education, Charity Ambassador, TV Presenter, professional speaker and consultant
Represented Australia around the world after winning Miss Australia and the international title Miss World People’s Choice at Miss World, the biggest televised event watched in 120 countries by 2.8 billion people.
Year of Service (12-month full-time role) included a world tour visiting Australian Embassies in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as regular charity work and speaking engagements as Guest Speaker/ MC at up to three high-profile events each week. I also ran the Miss World Office for Australia, secured sponsors, wrote press releases, achieved extensive contact base and involvement in media (TV, radio and print), and was contracted to devise business plan for new license holders
Australian Radio Network: Account Executive
August 2002 – January 2003
• Acquired new clients with strong focus on retention and satisfaction
• Business development and management of client accounts
• Involved in the creation and structuring of advertising campaigns
• Successfully achieved and usually surpassed sales quota each month
• (NB: Resigned from role as accepted into Masters Degree at Adelaide University)
The Peninsula ‘Leading Hotel of the World’ – Hong Kong
July 2002 – August 2002
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: UPPER LEVEL MANAGEMENT
• One of only four graduates in the world to be awarded the prestigious scholarship
• Shadowed the Peninsula’s top management teams in Sales and Marketing, Business Development and Customer Relations
• Independently researched, collated and presented to the Peninsula Executive Board, a thorough competitor analysis report featuring The Peninsula’s top five competitor luxury hotels’ suites in Hong Kong – received a standing ovation and utilised my findings
• Also oversaw special events marketing, campaign implementation, visual design and customers relations as well as treated to staying in-house as a guest for the four-weeks
National Wine Centre of Australia: Events Manager (Opening Team)
August 2001 – July 2002
• Contributed to development and implementation of company’s marketing plan
• Actively involved in setting up events department, sales kits and promotional material
• Sales and management of corporate and private events (2-1000 people)
• Managed all aspects – menu design, A/V, entertainment and theming
• Managed all associated budgeting, administration and accounts
MAJOR EVENTS MANAGED:
• Jarvis Ford Clipsal 500 Race Day Breakfast Launch
• Foxtel Footy Channel Gala Dinner
• Vimpac International Riesling Tasting
SWISS COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide – The Westin Sydney: Guest Relations
July 2000 – January 2001
• Management of the VIP Club Lounge throughout the 2000 Olympic Games
• Developed Front Office training manual procedures and trained new employees
• Important role in customer relations with VIP clientele and tour groups
• Rooms Division procedures – guest loyalty program, reservations and accounts
Park Hyatt Melbourne – Award Winning Restaurant ‘Radii’ (Opening Team)
July 1999 – January 2000
• Extensive wine training each day with Gourmet Traveller’s 2009 Sommelier of the Year James Erskine focusing on premium Australian and international wines
• Product education with top industry experts such as cheese guru Will Studd
• Specialised knowledge in fine-dining and opening of Cuba (opulent cigar lounge)
• Established and managed superior Hyatt Food and Beverage Control Systems
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS
The University of Adelaide and Le Cordon Bleu
January 2002 – February 2007
MASTERS DEGREE IN GASTRONOMY
• The only course of its kind offered in the world, I feel privileged to be one of a limited number of people to have graduated internationally with this Masters Degree
• Focus: Principles of Gastronomy, Food and Drink in Contemporary Western Society, Gastronomy and Communication, Food and Wine Technology and Gastronomic Tourism
• Thesis Topic: ‘Organic Food and Agriculture in Contemporary Australia’ – I researched the effects advertising and poor brand management have had on consumers’ perception, marketability, quality and price as well as the importance of government regulations
Vocational Language Learning Centre
July 2001 – December 2001
DIPLOMA IN LINGUISTICS – GERMAN
• Euro Centre Level 6 Certification
Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine Paris
January 1999 – July 2000
DIPLÔME CULINAIRE D’HÔTELIER
• World class practical and theoretical French culinary schooling
Swiss Hotel Association(SHA): International College of Hotel Management
January 1999 – July 2001
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DIPLOMA
Accolades: 2001 SKAL Scholarship Winner 2001 SHA Certificate of Merit
2001 SHA Silver Medal Graduate 1999 ICHM Scholarship Winner
• SHA is the leading international qualification, extensive Swiss training at CEO level – Constructing business and marketing plans, management systems, strategy and selling
• More than 80% international students in my in-take, excellent class discussion throughout the three-year program, lived on-campus, life-long global network base
• CORE FOCUS: Sales and Marketing, Communications, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Total Quality Management, Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Information Technology, Environment and Asset Management, Convention and Event Management, Tourism, International Wine and Australian Wine
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OLIVIA STRATTON…
Olivia’s official website
http://www.oliviastratton.com/
Google ‘olivia stratton’
[Last revised: Apr 2010]