General Manager Marketing Appointed

9/4/2003

NEW GM-MARKETING APPOINTED

Mark O’Connor has been appointed to the newly created position of General Manager-Marketing at Deer Industry New Zealand. He has been working in a marketing capacity at Deer Industry New Zealand for the past three years, primarily involved with velvet market development and research.

In this new role Mr O’Connor will be involved with Deer Industry New Zealand’s venison market development programme alongside Venison Marketing Services Manager, Mat Moyes. “Venison exports for the 12 months to June 2003 were valued at $158 million and represent almost 80% of total deer industry export earnings.  Mark’s appointment reflects this as well as the fact that venison market development and promotion must be Deer Industry New Zealand’s priority given very difficult market conditions.” says Deer Industry New Zealand CEO MJ Loza.

Prior to joining Deer Industry New Zealand, Mr O’Connor worked at Tourism New Zealand, primarily involved with international marketing including postings to Germany and Australia.

Deer Industry New Zealand is an organisation set up to promote and assist the orderly development of New Zealand’s deer industry.  82% of New Zealand’s venison exports are destined for Europe, with Germany being the industry’s largest market, accounting for 48% of total venison exports.

Deer Industry New Zealand’s venison promotion and market development programmes support companies’ activities and are focused on building demand for venison outside the autumn/winter game season and in new channels including retail and modern, upmarket restaurants.