Speakers :: Travolution Autumn Conference

1st November 2007, The Imagination Gallery, London

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Jerry Dunn, distribution development manager, easyJet

Jerry Dunn joined easyJet as Distribution Development Manager in November 2006 in a new role to explore and develop new sales channels for the airline beyond the successful direct internet sales at www.easyjet.com. The emphasis is on how to improve sales from the managed corporate travel sector.

Jerry has worked in the travel industry for nearly 20 years, having held a variety of positions including at Opodo (head of distribution), Worldspan (business development non-air suppliers), and Galileo (e-commerce business development EMEA) among others. Jerry graduated from Brighton University in 1987 with a BA (Hons) Business Studies degree and started his career in travel at Trailfinders two years later.

Jerry has travelled extensively throughout the world and ran his own travel advice business for a short time having returned from a 6-month career break backpacking around Asia in 2005.

Jason Edwards, director of product development and e-commence, Global Travel Group

Jason Edwards joined Global Travel Group four years ago as product development and e-commerce director. His remit includes group web activity/strategy, developing and directing TritonAirfares, new product development and media activities, in addition to TritonSearch, TritonRooms & TritonHolidays development.

He has over 23 years in the industry, starting his career at Neilson Travel YTS and spending over 15 years at various Co-op's including Norwest Co-op Travel, which became United Norwest Travel/United Co-op Travel, before moving to the then Co-op Travelcare, which became Travelcare.

He held numerous regional manger positions before progressing to head of sales development with responsibilities for overseeing Travelcare’s telesales business, new product development and cross-marketing initiatives within the CWS group. In addition he was responsible for driving the success of Travelcare’s Closed User Groups and media parts of its business.

Richard Firminger, regional sales director, Northern Europe, Yahoo! Search Marketing

As Regional Sales Director, Richard has overall responsibility formanaging and directing Yahoo! Search Marketing Sales in the UK, Netherlands and Nordics; accelerating growth, best practice and service levels within the search market.

A sales authority in the marketing and publishing industries, Firminger has held positions at leading sales agencies and publishers including AdLINK, DoubleClick, CMP Media and VNU Business Publications.

As Deputy Managing Director of AdLINK Internet Media UK, Firminger directly managed the sales, client services and business development teams, taking AdLINK to its status as No. 1 digital sales agency in the UK in 2002. Here, he forged strong relationships with digital agencies and their clients, including key web brands like Autotrader, Handbag and Expedia.

At DoubleClick, Firminger established the sales team as the leading digital sales network at the time, managing rapid growth, emerging media formats and forging online sales for brands such as Wanadoo, AltaVista UK, Kelkoo and Big Brother.

Firminger previously spent 10 years at VNU Business Publications. As Head of Corporate Sales, he managed the sales team responsible for the top 30 accounts for the UK’s computer portfolio – with clients such as Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM and Microsoft.

Most recently, Firminger was Managing Director of the mobile marketing company Enpocket. Under his direction, Enpocket trebled UK turnover and headcount last year and exclusive media partnerships for permission-based mobile marketing were secured with companies such as Emap and Claritas (Acxiom).

Paul Furner, managing director, TravelRepublic.co.uk

Paul Furner is the managing director of www.travelrepublic.co.uk the UK’s fastest growing online travel agency.

TravelRepublic.co.uk is the brainchild of three university friends and was launched on the web in 2003. Just four years later, the website recently appeared for the first time in the IMRG-Hitwise Hot Shops List which ranks the UK’s top 50 most popular internet retailers, across all sectors.

TravelRepublic.co.uk appeared at number 40 on the list, just one place behind Apple iTunes and ahead of long-established brands such as Woolworths, Boots, IKEA and Monarch Airlines. In the online travel agency sector within which it operates the TravelRepublic.co.uk website now receives more traffic than the likes of Opodo and ebookers.com. Only Expedia.co.uk and lastminute.com rank higher.

Prior to setting up TravelRepublic.co.uk, Paul specialised in software testing and quality assurance. He worked for a number of government departments, British Telecom and the Ministry of Defence, before specialising in the investment banking sector. In 2001, Paul set up an IT business with an old friend from university. Two years later, the idea of setting up a travel website was floated over lunch one day and TravelRepublic.co.uk was born.

Kristie Goshow, group director of e-business and customer development, Jumeirah

Kristie Willmott Goshow is the Group Director of E-Business and Customer Development for the Dubai based international luxury hotel group, Jumeirah. In her role, Kristie has responsibility for the Group’s online sales and communication strategy, business innovation framework, and the operation of a centre for applied research and consumer insights’.

Prior to joining Jumeirah, Kristie held positions with Le Meridien Hotels, Utell and Virgin Atlantic Airways, where she developed web affiliate programs, 3rd party onward distribution, corporate loyalty programs and travel industry sales.

Kristie holds a First Class Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Leisure and Tourism Management from the University of North London and is a former Executive Officer on the HEDNA Board of Directors. Born in Holland and raised in the UK, Kristie now resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Julie Howell, director of accessibility, Fortune Cookie

Julie Howell is Director of Accessibility at digital design agency Fortune Cookie <http://www.fortunecookie.co.uk/> . Prior to this she was the Digital Policy Development Manager at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Julie has worked with businesses, the public sector and government agencies to ensure the accessibility to disabled people of digital information products and services. She is Technical Author of the BSI specification for accessible web design, 'PAS 78.

Julie held the New Media Age <http://www.nma.co.uk/> Effectiveness Award for The Greatest Individual Contribution to New Media 2005/6. In 2007, Julie received The Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Imperatives Digital Awards <https://www.netimperative.com/2006/09/18/Lifetime_profiles>.

Caroline Knight, online commercial partnerships manager, ITV.com

Caroline Knight joined itv.com in July 2007 as online commercial partnerships manager with responsibility for developing revenue opportunities beyond ITV’s traditional advertising model.

Caroline started her career in ‘traditional’ media, with roles at several Australian PR and advertising agencies. In 2000 she joined UpMyStreet.com in the UK where she held a range of marketing and business development roles, in particular focusing on syndication of UpMyStreet’s content to companies as diverse as the House of Commons; Halifax; HSBC; AOL; Thomson Directories and Taylor Woodrow. Latterly, she built online partnerships with companies including Propertyfinder, Experian and uSwitch.

ITV.com re-launched in August 2007 with a rich video offering including simulcast and 30-day catch-up for ITV programming. Caroline is heavily involved in the strategic direction of ITV’s online properties, and is currently working on a series of new product launches.

Antony Mayfield, head of content and media, Spannerworks

Heading the Content and Media division at Spannerworks, Antony's background is brand communications consultancy. His focus in recent years has been on the impact of the social media revolution on marketing and media.

Antony joined Spannerworks from Bell Pottinger Group, where he was a director at its technology specialist arm, Harvard, providing consultancy to clients including PlayStation, Vodafone and Fujitsu Services. A fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he is a regular speaker at marketing, media and communications conferences on the convergence of search engine marketing, brand communications and social media. He writes regularly on the subject for industry media, the Spannerworks SearchSense blog and his personal blog Open, which has been named one of the top 100 blogs in the UK.

Caroline Noble, UK director, Opodo

Caroline Noble has been Director of Opodo UK since taking up the role in January 2007. She joined Opodo in September 2002 as Head of European Operations with responsibility for the Customer Services and fulfilment centres across Europe. She has had a long career in the Leisure Travel Industry, having spent nine years previously at RCI Europe Limited, part of the Cendant Group. At RCI she was the Director of UK Core Business Call Centre, based at their head office in Kettering.

Since taking up her new role at Opodo her priorities have been to restructure the UK Business to position it strongly for future success. Ensuring that Opodo remains top of mind for customers booking travel and enriching the technology with innovative and interactive features to enhance the user experience.

She is passionate about travel: the different experiences, cultures, food and sights that it offers. Being a sun lover, her favourite destinations are in the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Stuart Nassos, managing director UK & Ireland, holiday autos

Stuart is the Managing Director UK & Ireland of holiday autos - the world's largest leisure car rental broker. Stuart has 13 years experience in the industry and as MD of holiday autos, he is responsible for the overall leadership of the company and its direct sales, travel agency and white-label sales to 3rd parties. Stuart is also responsible for the brands overall marketing and technology delivery, along with its pricing and finance.

2006 was a remarkable year, with Stuart responsible for launching the car hire industry’s first net rate program for travel agencies, thus giving agents the ability to add their own mark up. Also during 2006, Stuart successfully managed to move 90% of the business conducted online across all divisions and launched the new website improving conversion by 15%. Prior to joining holiday autos, Stuart held the position of Head of Integration at Travelocity and was responsible for the integration of lastminute.com, when Travelocity acquired the online pioneer in 2005. Stuart moved to the UK in 1996 with Sabre Holdings as the company’s Head of Finance EMEA. Stuart’s first joined Sabre Holidays in Dallas Texas back in 1994.

Born in Chicago Illinois, Stuart graduated from the University of Texas in 1990 with a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Marketing. He later graduated with an MBA from the University of Notre Dame 1994.

Chris Nixon,director, travelsupermarket.com

travelsupermarket.com is recognised by the media and the industry alike as one of thefastest growing metasearch sites and the one to watch. Chris Nixon has been at the forefront of its development, nurturing the relationship between the industry suppliers and the technology delivery of the company since inception four years ago.Under his leadership the online travel business has grown exponentially, achieving 19.7million* visitors in 2006 and already achieving an impressive 17.8million visitors in the first 6 months of 2007.Similarly, turnover is growing rapidly, while the site generated £7.5million in 2006, turnover for the first 6 months of 2007 has already hit the £7.5million mark.travelsupermarket.com has now established itself as one of the leading comparison websites in travel with over 120 suppliers. His role has developed from the pure hands-on commerce, sales and marketing role needed to drive the business to success, to the management of the whole channel from the roots up including IT development and new services development. At 34 Nixon still has a lot to do and now lives and breathes airline, car rental, hotel prices and click-through rates. He has rapidly become an expert on the travel industry and the key issues of online ‘search’.

For further information please go to www.travelsupermarket.com

* Visitor numbers are based on unique monthly visitors.

Charlie Redmayne, head of commercial partnerships, Online Business Unit, BSkyB

Charlie Redmayne is the head of commercial partnerships for Sky’s Online Business Unit and head of strategy at Sky Digital Media. He is responsible for managing commercial and content deals for Sky’s online portal, evaluating online acquisitions and joint venture partnerships, and developing advertising strategies in the digital arena. He has also been involved in the development and evolution of Sky Travel.

Prior to working at Sky, Charlie launched and founded web publishing business, Mykindaplace, which was acquired by BSkyB in June 2006.

Simon Robinson, executive director, distribution, Thomas Cook

Simon has responsibility for Thomas Cook’s Distribution and Sales division, which incorporates the company’s retail stores, Ecommerce, Cruise, Business Operations and Commerce Relations.

Previously, Simon headed up Thomas Cook’s Independent Travel division for two years, with responsibility for accommodation only and dynamic packaging, flights and ancillaries, Flexibletrips, trade relations and the Birmingham sales centre.

In 2003, Simon took up the position of Director, Retail for Thomas Cook and led Thomas Cook’s retail network – responsible for the performance of its 570 stores, as well as Marketing, Property and Business Operations.

Prior to taking on the Retail position, Simon was Product Director for Thomas Cook’s Tour Operations division for two years, where he launched the Group’s three-brand strategy – Thomas Cook, JMC and Sunset.

His career within the leisure sector started in the hotel and catering industry, before taking him overseas where he worked in various destinations in the Customer Delivery Division. Simon then returned to the UK to take on a Business Development position for Sunworld who were acquired by Thomas Cook in 1996. Since this time Simon has worked in the position of Shareholder Relations, a pan-European role, to capture and generate synergies across the International Group, during which he and his family moved to Germany with the TUI AG Group.

David Soskin, chief executive officer, Cheapflights

David Soskin joined Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.co.uk) - the pioneer of internet travel price comparison - as CEO in March 2000. By maintaining Cheapflights' consistent profitability, he has grown the Company organically without recourse to external funding and has increased its traffic 20 times from 300,000 in 2000 to a record current 6.00 million global unique users a month.

Cheapflights is possibly also unique as a British dotcom in having successfully launched a US site (www.cheapflights.com) 4 years ago and a Canadian site (www.cheapflights.ca) earlier this year. The company is the UK's leading flight price vertical search and comparison online media business. It publishes over one million travel deals a day and accounted for nearly 1% of the £1.1 billion UK (PPC) search marketing spend and 3.2% of UK travel market display advertising (IAB-2006). Last year Cheapflights' sites drove an estimated £1.0 billion worth of travel business to its advertising partners. Most recently he co-founded HOWZAT media LLP (www.howzatmedia.com) an investment vehicle for early stage dotcoms.

Immediately prior to Cheapflights David was head of global media at ABN AMRO Corporate Finance. His previous experience included the Boston Consulting Group and Redland Plc where he was Group Director of Corporate Planning. In 1989 he founded Asquith Court Schools (www.asquithnurseries.com) which was sold in 2001 for US$100m to West Private Equity. In 1995, David’s entrepreneurial achievements were honoured by the European Foundation for Entrepreneurial Research when he was named as one of Europe’s 500 most dynamic entrepreneurs. In 2006 he was nominated as a Finalist in Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

David Upton, managing director, DBFS

David Upton has been working within the financial sector since 1994 and co-founded DBFS in 1996. Prior to 1994, David owned and operated risk management and alternative risk financing advisory companies in Australasia. DBFS has established a reputation for managing and delivering software projects which support key business processes and systems, and which have emphasis on data logistics.

David has recently initiated a diversification of the consulting and software project delivery services offered by DBFS, and this has lead to a focus on opportunities presented in the travel and e-commerce sectors. DBFS is hoping to bring a fresh IT approach and is looking to transpose its practical, proven methodologies and knowledge from the data-rigorous finance industry into the travel industry.

DBFS is a UK-owned and UK-based operation with satellites in Asia and Australasia.

Annie Wilson, director of business development, Europe, Kayak

Annie Wilson joined Kayak in May 2007 as Director of Business Development, Europe, following the successful launch of Kayak's flights and hotels services in the UK.

Annie brings over seven years digital experience to the role, gained mostly at Guardian News and Media. Prior to joining Kayak, Annie was responsible for all white label partnerships across the Guardian Unlimited network, as well as a commercial stakeholder in the network rebuild project. Successful partnerships developed by Annie included the launch of the Guardian’s first fantasy football game, and the extension of the Soulmates dating service onto the web.

At Kayak, Annie is responsible for developing and managing commercial relationships with travel suppliers including airlines, hotels and online travel agencies. She is also charged with structuring partnership agreements with distribution partners.

Jonathan Wilson senior account director, Red Bee Media

Jonathan has been involved in the media industry for 17 years, 15 in interactive media. He has managed a broad range of interactive solutions in three industry sectors ¬- publishing, advertising and broadcasting.

At Red Bee Media Jonathan manages teams dedicated to delivering highly creative and strategic broadcast design and interactive solutions for both broadcast and corporate clients. Previously, Jonathan spent five years working for the BBC’s commercial businesses as a Relationship Director and before that was an Account Manager in the new media arm of Saatchi & Saatchi.

Jonathan is an avid football fan and player at the tender age of 39 and often spends his weekends cycling with his three children along the River Thames in London.

Jilly Welch, director of client services, Fortune Cookie

Director of Client Services for usability experts Fortune Cookie, Jilly works closely with brands like Kuoni, Guest Invest, National Express, Legal & General and FT.com to raise their online games; identifying opportunities for raising brand profile, delivering services and making money online.

Jilly has been advising a raft of government departments, charities and big business since 1996 on how to use the medium to increase credibility and loyalty. A personal highlight has been helping Shelter harness online public opinion to get the 2004 Housing Act passed.