New group marketing manager for Protea Hotels

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Danette Breitenbach

Nicholas Barenblatt has been promoted to group marketing and advertising manager for Protea Hotels and will be responsible for managing the marketing for the hotel group. According to the company, as a result of the growth of Protea Hotels, a need was created for a centralised position to strategically manage activities under the marketing umbrella including brand management, PR and advertising.

“Nicholas has the qualities sought after by Protea Hotels and his position of group marketing and advertising manager brings fresh insight, enthusiasm and energy to Protea Hotels and we are confident in his ability and trust him to deliver outstanding results for the business,” said Danny Bryer, group marketing and revenue director, Protea Hotels.

Nicholas started out at Protea Hotels as the marketing plan co-ordinator at the Protea Hotel President in Cape Town, one of the group's flagship hotels. After 18 months in this position, he was promoted to key account manager of African Pride Hotels (Protea Hotels' five star superior deluxe hotel brand), successfully growing it from 3 to 18 boutique hotels and game lodges within 16 months. Following this, Nicholas earned his role as new developments manager where he had a hands on role in the growth of the Protea Hospitality Group.

“I am excited to be taking on this challenging role in light of the continued expansion of Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels and am glad to have established my foundations having worked in various capacities within the group for the past few years,” said Barenblatt.

Nicholas officially assumes the role in the New Year and is currently working closely with Danny Bryer, group marketing revenue director in the group's preparations in the build up to the FIFA World Cup 2010.