Career History
EARLY CAREER:
After working as an assistant to the CEO/Secretary of Radio 2UE Sydney, Narelle joined DDB Needham, account servicing on Telecom Australia. Narelle moved to WCRS The Ball Partnership and then on to Harris Robinson & Associates. At their request, Narelle re-joined DDB Needham working as a Senior Account Director on a broad range of high profile accounts.
Following an extended time overseas, Narelle resigned from DDB Needham to accept the prestigious contract to work with The Australian Tourism Commission to assist with strategic advice and to write the review boards formal marketing and communications plans. The contract included planning and writing the formal creative briefs to tender the communications /advertising campaigns - to recruit the advertising agency for the Sydney Olympics review board process.
MID CAREER:
Narelle's next career highlight was to accept a position with George Patterson Bates as a Senior Director, planning and account servicing for Patt’s largest client Optus Australia. After an extremely successful period working alongside Hamish McLennan to cement Optus’s market share and brand positioning, including launching extended new networks and services, Narelle resigned from George Patterson Bates to start her family.
In an effort to balance life with a young family, Narelle prioritised contract work for medium sized agencies such as John Bevin’s Advertising, Pilgrim International, RMK Advertising, Brand Marque as well as establishing the SME client base of DreamWeaver Communications. This career period included a permanent full time role as Strategic Planner/Head New Business Pitching for Hanlon Wilson Weekes Advertising during the re-branded phase as LOUD Communications. Narelle also worked on contracts for direct clients ranging from large Corporates/Brands (e.g. AMP Insurance, Coca Cola) to the franchise Gloria Jean’s Coffees, to local retail clients.
YEAR TERM CONTRACT EXPERIENCE:
Narelle’s contracts also includes 'term period' full-time positions, such as Kevin Rudd's Labor Election winning campaign, where professional experience, job confidence and strategic ‘integrated’ planning is required to 'pick-up-the-ball' and generate immediate decisions, actions plans and production schedules. Employed by the STW Group - 07 Advertisng, headed by Neil Lawrence (International Creative Director), Narelle was engaged to project manage the fast and furious demands of the Labor Party's election communications campaign, the first Australian election campaign to actively engage in social media platforms and on-line strategies.
Following, Narelle accepted the full time position as Head of Client Services and to manage the corporate re-launch and re-branding for AMP Capital (National Shopping Centres), working for the advertising agency Brand Marque. Another notable account at Brand Marque was the luxury brand extension for Woolworths – establishing and opening new stores for the ‘Thomas Dux’ speciality food chain.
MORE RECENTLY - BUSINESS & MARKETING ROLES:
DSC Consulting Engineers: In more recent years juggling her children's senior school demands, Narelle committed to a flexible 3–4 day permanent role as Head Business Development, Marketing & Communications to establish her credentials within the Building Construction industries. Established for 35 years, DSC Consulting remain successful in the extremely competitive and rapidly changing International Construction industry. Narelle worked intimately with the four Principal owners, successfully transforming this established business into an Australian market leader to gain ‘preferred supplier list’ rankings for the State Governments Infrastructure projects, Local Councils and Universities as well as brand leaders to the private sectors.
NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet: During 2017, Narelle was assigned the NSW Premier & Cabinet Strategic Advisory and Advertising Campaign Management roles for the NSW Hospitals H.P. Program & Council Amalgamations Audit, requiring senior stakeholder management and government confidentiality procedures.
Procore Technologies: In 2018/19 Narelle accepted the full time term contract to work alongside the APAC Marketing Director launching America's No 1 Construction Industry Software Platform into the Australian Construction Industry. Narelle researched/evaluated key annual marketing opportunities, strategically developed Aust. States & NZ action plans, established key building industry platinum association partnerships and headed Trade Marketing/Events.
Third Space Agency: Later in 2019, Narelle contracted as Strategic Advisory role working alongside independent agency M.D. to assist on the repositioning of the client - PGH Bricks and Pavers.
Current role as Marketing Manager: CRA - Commercial Radio and Audio is the peak body for the Commercial Radio Broadcasting industry in Australia. In partnership with the six networks, audio industry bodies and the trade media, CRA’s integrated team, including Marketing, works collaboratively to charter industry leadership to grow market share, drive research developments, build consumer connections with audio/broadcast radio/DAB+/podcasting, plans and books media campaigns.