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[Image Credit: Helen Hutcheon]

At a recent farewell lunch held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Sarina Bratton, PONANT Chairman Asia Pacific formally announced the retirement of long-serving Public Relations Manager, Michael Corbett.

Announcing Michael’s retirement Sarina said, “Having worked together over the last 24 years, Michael has decided that the time has come to take a well-earned breather”, adding, “The relaxed beach life at Killcare has finally won him over”, and “So, after a long career specialising in travel and tourism, originally managing numerous airlines’ advertising requirements and then more recently with me at Orion Expedition Cruises and currently Ponant looking after out PR needs in Australia and New Zealand, the deadlines are to be put aside, replaced with less time-critical pastimes.”

She added, “Michael has been part of the Orion and PONANT families in both instances since the day-one startups and has made valuable contributions to our success”, and “We will miss him on both a professional and personal level and wish him all the very best”, and “That said, I am happy to say that he has agreed to look after occasional projects for us and so he will remain part of our Ponant family going forward.”

In the meantime, as PONANT farewells Michael in his day-to-day role, the World Leader of Luxury Expeditions announced the appointment of Sydney-based full service communications agency Élysée Collective, headed by Alice Moore, for their media and public relations in Australia and New Zealand, with Sarina saying, “The existing range of prestige luxury brands handled by the Élysée team indicates a strong understanding of our existing clients – consumer and trade – and a strong synergy between our companies that fits well with us”, and “Welcome to Alice and her team.”

Alice Moore said, “PONANT is a world renowned company and the leader in luxury expeditions, and we are thrilled to be joining their family as the appointed PR agency for Australia and New Zealand, adding, “We pride ourselves on our impeccable client base and to bring PONANT into our portfolio will present an incredible opportunity to showcase the most unique and sought-after destinations across the globe.”

Michael will remain the point of contact for PONANT Public Relations in Australia and New Zealand until 30 June 2021, after which all PONANT Public and Media Relations enquiries should be directed to Elysée Collective.

A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor