United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
DFDS recruits new marketing chief
A new head of marketing from outside the travel industry has joined ferry company DFDS Seaways.
Pete Akerman joins from Norwich Union and previously worked for Barclays and Polygram Music.
Based in Newcastle, his role will be to proactively market and communicate the line’s services to consumer, business and trade customers whilst highlighting all the benefits of travelling by sea, the company said.
The appointment prior to the launch of King of Scandinavia – the biggest ship to ever cruise from Newcastle on a scheduled service. This, along with the launch of a CityCruiseBreaks 2006 brochure and the introduction of a new flexible pricing policy in March, will be key priorities in the first quarter.
Akerman said: “DFDS Seaways is a well-established, quality brand; my challenge will be to ensure that we continue to position travelling by sea and our range of short breaks and holidays as relaxing and hassle free leisure options and we compete against other travel choices, particularly the low cost airlines.
“There is huge scope to make a real impact with this role. I will be responsible for the marketing strategy, focusing on driving forward the brand building and marketing initiatives, including relationships with third parties. I will also be looking at the development of the online booking service and maximising our trade partnerships both online and off line.”
DFDS Seaways sails from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark and Newcastle to Amsterdam, Kristiansand and Gothenburg.
Report by Phil Davies
Related News Stories:
Phil Davies
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls