Who got that job?

By STEVE HART

Annabel Lush, marketing manager, AA Tourism

When Annabel Lush started along her career path she was looking forward to working as a journalist.

"I arrived in New Zealand after going to school in Britain and had a gritty determination to work in newspapers, but at the time it was only a six-month course to get into journalism.

"In Britain I had planned to take a degree in journalism and because that was not available here I decided to take a law degree at the University of Auckland."

Lush became a solicitor for a short while but held on to her goal of working in the communications industry. Soon she was lured into the world of hospitality at the Sheraton Hotel when it opened.

"It was a middle-management tourism/hospitality role and I really enjoyed it so decided to turn that way in my career. I have always had a bent towards writing, PR and that type of activity."

Lush ended up back at the university for 2 1/2 years as director of advancement where she helped to generate income from the commercial sector. She had also gained a postgraduate diploma in marketing there.

"The position at the university was a new one and I like that. My job was generating additional revenue streams for the university built around philanthropy, scholarships and corporate relationships which was something very new for me as - by then - tourism was my background.

"However, I had also gained a lot of experience in sponsorship which I think helped me get that job. It also helped that I was not entrenched in the university system so I arrived with fresh eyes."

Her job at the AA is also a new position. It will include streamlining the organisation's tourism activities and products, developing its website, AA Traveller magazine and expanding the coverage of its AA Rewards scheme to places such as hotels and motels, for its membership of one million people.

"The AA has recognised the potential in the tourism sector and been doing a surprising number of activities for inbound and outbound tourists as well as those wanting to stay at home and tour New Zealand."