A dynamic board of experienced brand and business experts will steer a new place branding body, tasked with creating a unified Gold Coast brand, broadening our city's global profile.
Melissa Donnelly, an experienced Chair, brand performance specialist, and Gold Coast domestic violence prevention advocate will chair the Brand Gold Coast board.
"The City received an outstanding calibre of applications for the Brand Gold Coast board," Mayor Tom Tate said.
"After careful consideration we are confident the chosen representatives will provide invaluable expertise and direction to create a unified brand that will stand out in the Australian and global marketplace.
"We know the Gold Coast is a place where people want to invest, live, work and visit which is why it's important we continue to shine brightly on the world stage."
In June, Council resolved to establish a new place-branding controlled entity called Brand Gold Coast to be formed as a proprietary limited company.
Almost 50 expressions of interest were received for the roles on the board including a chairperson and five Directors.
The City sought board members who had extensive experience in construction, manufacturing, professional services, retail and wholesale trade, healthcare and social services, or film and screen.
Chairperson:
Melissa Donnelly – experienced Chair and brand performance specialist having worked for global brands MTV, Microsoft, Bloomberg, Telstra, and ESPN. Chair of the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre on the Gold Coast.
Directors:
Simon Beard – founder of international streetwear giant Culture Kings, board member of a.k.a Brands.
Leanne White – founder of Insightfully, strategic counsel to C-suites and boards of influential organisations Pharmacy Guild Australia, Master Builders Australia, Darwin Major Business, Minerals Council Australia, Southern Cross University, RACQ, the AAA and the Infant Nutrition Council Australia and New Zealand.
Stephen Forth – Former managing director of leading digital assignments to drive business strategy working with prominent brands like Suncorp, BOQ, TEQ, Gold Coast theme parks, RACQ, RSL, Brisbane and Gold Coast councils.
Lisa Ronson – CMO of Medibank, previously head of marketing for Coles, Flybuys, Tourism Australia, board member of Wheelchair Rugby Australia, Chief Executive Women, AANA, and the Marketing Academy.
Nim De Swardt – Social entrepreneur and strategic advisor specialising in brand development, strategy and storytelling to Bacardi, Red Bull, Grey Goose, HSBC and FairShare globally.
The remaining three positions will be filled by Mayor Tate and City of Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker and an Experience Gold Coast representative as ex-officio directors.
The first task of the new board will be to appoint a CEO.
