While his name may not be instantly recognizable to our Travel Advisor partners, Ryan has been with Avanti for nearly a decade. His behind-the-scenes work is responsible for Avanti’s front-facing marketing materials, from our emails and brochures, to our website banners – and even the Avanti logo itself! Born in the UK, Ryan came to the USA via a renowned soccer scholarship while studying Advertising at his University, and later made his appearance at Avanti after working in the marketing industry for a handful of years. Originally hired as Avanti’s first in-house graphic designer, Ryan soon moved up as the Creative Manager who oversaw the Marketing team’s content creation. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the Director of Marketing, and now fully oversees all of Avanti’s marketing projects and partner campaigns. His creativity, insider knowledge, and passion for travel has lead to his success in Avanti's Marketing Department. Learn more with the full interview below!
What is the Objective of Avanti's Marketing Department: 'We work closely with other Avanti departments such as the Product Team and Sales Reps to convey information and act as the voice of the company, not only ensuring our brand represents who we are and what we do, but communicates vital information to our audience. We also work with tourism boards and consortia partners to shine a light on the most trendy and relevant travel options in the industry. With all of this in mind, we create materials for our Advisors including informative resources that help them gain insights and assist with planning and booking (such as descriptive emails), and shareable materials which they can utilize to boost their own business (such as e-brochures, flyers, and postcards). We also run various social media platforms to keep our Advisors up-to-date and on trend.' Find our full Marketing Hub here and follow along on our Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and TikTok!
What Is Recently New in Marketing: 'Right now we have been focusing on highlighting Avanti's new regional resources, including the launch of our Regional Websites where Advisors can find detailed information and booking tools for Asia, Latin America, and the South Pacific. Part of this new launch has been introducing our new Destination Specialists who assist with bookings in their regions of expertise. Our goal in Marketing is to inform Advisors that these regional specialties exist, and how to find them. Also, we recently crafted and printed a detailed South Pacific Advisor Reference Guide which showcases our South Pacific offerings in a tangible brochure! You can order these informative booklets to be delivered directly to your business.' Order here!
What Is Your Favorite Marketing Campaign You Have Launched: 'Our annual Go365 campaign is not only one of my favorites to run, but it's one of our most successful. We launch it every year to showcase travel beyond the summer months, and help Advisors inspire their clients to book in the winter. This campaign always has the most beautiful brochures, and it's packaged with fantastic product. Personally, I always travel somewhere warm between February and March because I'm craving sunshine by the end of our Pacific Northwest winter, so it's exciting to see the possibilities to get away. We have so many options, from the beaches of Southeast Asia to the sunny landscapes of the South Pacific.' Check out our Go365 Warm Weather Brochure here.
What Makes Avanti Stand Apart: 'We put people at the forefront of our business, and are continuously looking to grow all areas of the company. We want to do everything we can to make information and resources accessible, and the booking process seamless, all for the sake of the Advisor. If we find that something may improve a facet of our business, we collaborate and work very quickly and efficiently to make it happen. Our openness to new ideas is why we are continuously ahead of the trend. I love to support fresh ideas and initiatives among our team, and in every department, our technology and staff are some of the best in the industry. We are hardworking people who want to do the best for everyone who partners with us. Working for Avanti means connecting people to unique travel experiences, and it’s never a boring day when you get to research and describe amazing destinations. It’s not merely a job, but a passion!'
What Is the Biggest Change You've Noticed Since Starting at Avanti: 'When I came to Avanti as the first in-house graphic designer, I started off with a blank slate. The biggest changes have been establishing the Avanti brand and growing our Advisor resources. Not only have we designed a new logo and color scheme, helped reshape the website and Agent Portal, and built an archive of images, but we have also enhanced the amount of marketing tools available for Advisors, such as our collection of digital and print brochures. I could not have done any of it without the support and work ethic from our team over the years. Today, we have grown into a team of 9 individuals who work in different facets of Marketing, each uniquely creative and hardworking.'
What Is Your Most Memorable Travel Experience: 'I can say firsthand that Avanti vacations are amazing. I have gone on multiple Educational Trips as well as personal trips booked through Avanti, and they are easily the most unique and exciting experiences I've ever had. I've hiked up to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, visited a sustainable (no-contact) elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, watched the rushing waters of Iguazu Falls in Argentina, ridden up a cable car to Matterhorn in Switzerland, and soaked in the hot springs of Hokkaido, Japan. Each one was so incredibly unique and memorable – you truly can't go wrong when booking through Avanti.'
What Are Some of Your Travel Recommendations: 'Preparing for any trip is key, and it's always essential to plan out what experiences, favored accommodations, and special meals you want. However, make sure you also save a couple days to just explore. Take time to wander the cities and get lost in the culture, history, and romance of that destination. Walk around and spontaneously stop and eat at a hidden local restaurant or café. Slow down! That’s what the vacation is all about.'
Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your insights, and for all that you do for Avanti!