Marriott International Inc. has appointed Deb McDiarmid to the executive leadership role, Area Director of Marketing – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific. McDiarmid will drive strategic marketing and innovation across the region’s 47 hotels, encompassing 16 brands in six countries within the ANZP region, future proofing Marriott’s position as the world’s largest hotel company.
With a focus on enriching communities and expanding to new destinations, McDiarmid’s strategy will drive brand awareness, market share, revenue, and profit within the region. Pivotal to success will be harnessing the power of world leading hotel loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, inspiring the 200+ million global members to visit the ANZP region, while amplifying high profile event partnerships in the market.
McDiarmid will also work closely with leaders across Marriott’s Australian, New Zealand and Pacific hotel teams.
McDiarmid says; “I look forward to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the team, aiming to contribute to Marriott’s vision as the world’s favourite travel company with a focus on enriching communities and expanding presence in new destinations. By embodying innovation and adapting to change, we are well poised to further elevate our position as one of the region’s biggest players in hospitality,” said Deb McDiarmid.
McDiarmid has relocated to Sydney from the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. As Director of Marketing for the flagship property for the last 2 and half years, the resort’s performance has broken all past years’ records since opening in 1987. McDiarmid played a key role in leveraging Marriott International’s global sustainability initiatives designed to make a positive and sustainable impact on the locations in which they operate. She launched the Earth-Friendly Events Program bringing green-minded thinking to every aspect of the meeting experience, offering meeting planners resources that support environmentally conscious planning and decision making that also supports the community and the region’s precious natural environment.
An illustrious 30 year career has taken McDiarmid around Australia, to Thailand and China, helming marketing leadership positions across multiple brands. Her decade-long tenure with Starwood Hotels and Resorts saw McDiarmid take on roles including Multi-Brand Director of Marketing Communications and Property Director of Sales & Marketing before joining Marriott as National Director of Marketing (2011-2014), recently returning to Sydney for the Area Director role.
Globally minded and passionate about travel, McDiarmid’s career was inspired by childhood experiences travelling with her parents across Asia. The exposure to exceptional service and inspirational professionals, fuelling her desire to work in hospitality.
