MEET THE TEAM

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CLAIRE DOUGHTY

Director

Collaborative, strategic and an optimist, Claire has close to 20 years of marketing experience; leading teams, high-end clients and building brands across Australia and the globe.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Writing and Communications, and a Master of Marketing from the University of South Australia’s Ehrenberg Bass Institute, Claire has explored her passion for marketing while working for globally recognised brands including Hardy’s, Banrock Station, Yalumba, Champagne Pol Roger, Oxford Landing and Westfield.

That love of marketing has also been explored in a retail capacity, giving Claire a solid understanding of the retail environment for wine, fashion, specialty, and convenience shopping.  Claire has worked in three Australian capital cities and in London, traveled extensively, and prides herself on having not just a national perspective, but a global one as well.

Claire founded Brand Warrior Communications with the goal of helping businesses achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Claire saw a gap in the market to combine marketing science and strategic thinking with creative execution. Claire loves that she has built a team of likeminded marketers and gets to work with a diverse range of businesses and people, with her main driver being to build brands.

MADDIE HASSETT

Marketing Executive

Maddie is a go-getter who loves the dynamic, fast pace of marketing.  She has a flair for communication, and she comes to Brand Warrior with a strong background in hospitality and event curation.

Maddie’s food and wine career began at Yalumba, where she developed and managed events, while working closely with the Hill Smith family. After three years of learning, she moved to Vintners Bar & Grill as Assistant Manager & PR, where she pursued her love of food, wine, service, and communication.
With a marketing diploma up her sleeve, Maddie joined Brand Warrior Communications in 2021, where she brings skills and experience in strategic planning, business development, digital marketing, event management, and photography.

Maddie is a high achiever – she was badged Restaurant & Catering Employee of the Year for South Australia (2020), named in Australia Nestle Professional 2019’s 30 under 30 (food service), and is a graduate of Barossa Future Leaders (Class of 2017).

Maddie’s passion for food and beverage has nurtured a ‘hands on’ approach, and when she’s not working, she’s either tinkering in the kitchen, or on the hunt for good food and drinks. Or escaping to the river!

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MEGHAN THOMAS

Graphic Designer

Creative, organised, and a whiz at thinking outside the box, Meghan has a proven history of delivering strategic and creative outcomes for client projects.

Meghan cut her teeth working in London as a graphic designer, and more recently, worked as Creative Director for an up and coming Adelaide marketing agency.

A whiz at thinking outside the box, Meghan has a proven history of delivering strategic and creative outcomes for client projects.

She has two gorgeous boys and in her spare time, she loves exploring her stomping ground – the Barossa Valley.

So, what do we love about Meghan?

She has the hospitality mentality we look for at BWC, and she also loves wine… the ultimate fit!

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KAREN KALLESKE

Marketing Assistant

Passionate, self-motivated, and analytically-minded, Karen is an up-and-coming marketer who brings a wealth of enthusiasm to every project.

Karen loves that no two days are the same.  Not only do we envy her energy, but her drive for insights, statistics, and all things research-related keeps numbers exciting!

When she’s not at Brand Warrior, Karen’s busy studying to complete her Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing and Management at Uni SA’s esteemed Ehrenberg-Bass Institute.

She comes to the team with some great experience in small business and real estate, and when she’s not at the desk, she’s playing netball or enjoying a Riesling (or two).

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SUCCESS IS NOT THE KEY TO HAPPINESS. HAPPINESS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS. IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
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ALBERT SCHWEITZER