EMPLOYMENT & PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Tony Walker spent the first 15 years of his working life in the marketing industry in Sydney and Melbourne. Principal positions held included:

• Advertising Manager, Hoyts Theatres, Melbourne
• Director of Advertising and Publicity, Paramount Pictures, Sydney
• Senior Consultant, Ronald Plater and Co. public relations consultants, Sydney.
• Clients included Penfolds Wines, Coles Stores, Pioneer, Prudential.
• Senior Consultant, Hutchinson Public Relations, Sydney.
• Clients included Piper Aircraft, Clark Pools, Watersun Swimwear.

After 13 years running his own small business in Tasmania (orchardist/retailing), he returned to marketing as Marketing Manager of the Launceston Institute of TAFE, holding that position from 1986 until starting Tony Walker Marketing in 1997.

During 1993, he spent six months on a Return to Industry placement, as Marketing Manager for Vaughans Wines and Spirits.

Since 1993 he has written a weekly by-lined column on Tasmanian Food and Wine for the Sunday Examiner (circulation 46,000)

Since founding Tony Walker Marketing in 1997, he has been employed as marketing consultant to Purity (Abervale Wine Club), Notley Gorge Vineyards, University of Tasmania, Tasmanian State Training Authority, Tasmanian Employment Advisory Council, Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, Tasmania Distillery, Blue Ribbon Holdings, Tasmanian State Library, Centacare, and SchoolSAFE Australia. .

SPECIAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Marketing and Strategic Planning- sound theoretical and practical base in all areas- TAFE marketing lecturer at Diploma level; specialist in strategic marketing planning for small business. Teaches small business marketing for NEIS scheme in Launceston.

Market Research- extensive experience in designing research plans, writing research briefs, co-ordinating research projects and interpreting findings.

Advertising- Planning and executing major campaigns- particular strengths in creative and copywriting for print and electronic media.

Public Relations- Six years as a senior consultant in Sydney; media liaison, writing, event management, customer focus, sponsorships, internal staff relations. Past President of the northern Tasmanian branch of the Public Relations Institute of Australia

Journalism- Experienced writer and journalist, with weekly Food and Wine column in the Sunday Examiner for the last eight years. Layout skills, desk-top publishing, newsletter production.

Education and Training- Experienced teacher in marketing, strategic planning, advertising, public relations. Comprehensive knowledge of vocational education and training.

Wine- Extensive knowledge of the wine industry; experience as wine educator (Drysdale TAFE).

TERTIARY EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (Sydney University and University of New England)

Graduate Diploma of Educational Administration (University of Tasmania)