25 Jun 2018 09:32am
Port Adelaide has appointed brand and business development executive Damien Smith to lead its China commercial strategy, following the departure of Damien McDowell to Collingwood.
Port Adelaide has appointed brand and business development executive Damien Smith to lead its China commercial strategy, following the departure of Damien McDowell to Collingwood.
Smith is set to join Port Adelaide as commercial development manager – China, effectively replacing former head of commercial McDowell, who has accepted the position of general manager of commercial partnerships and sales at the Magpies.
A Port Adelaide spokesperson told Sponsorship News that Smith had taken over from McDowell, effective immediately. He will report to newly-appointed commercial boss, James Lindsay.
"Damien joins us with an extensive background in brand and business development across international markets. Damien has predominately worked in the wine industry, most notably for global organisations Moet Hennessy and Constellation," said the spokesperson.
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Smith was most recently general manager of sales at Mitolo Wines, and previously held sales and marketing roles focused on international expansion with Chapel Hill Wines. Smith's experience in export and sales into Asia is understood to have been a factor in his appointment.
In the new role he will be responsible for commercial revenue growth in China, where Port Adelaide has established a big presence through its annual premiership game. In coming years it plans to expand its presence through school programs and community outreach initiatives.
Port Adelaide has roughly 25 sponsors associated with its China strategy, along with a host of business network partners and government agencies. It has also announced plans to launch an ecommerce joint venture with prominent developer Shanghai CRED.
Power chairman David Koch recently credited the commercial success of China with a "significant uplift in revenue," leading the club to a $1 million net operating surplus in 2017.
Smith is the latest of several senior appointments at Port Adelaide. The club appointed James Lindsay as general manager of commercial in February, with Oliver Shawyer joining as general manager of marketing and digital last month.