Dane Sharp becomes Groupon ANZ marketing boss

Groupon has appointed Dane Sharp as head of marketing for Australia and New Zealand.

Sharp was previously digital experience manager at McDonald’s where he helped lead the launch and growth of the fast food chain’s mobile ordering and Monopoly apps along with instore digital merchandising.

Sharp joins Groupon from McDonald’s

Previously he has worked with brands including Rip Curl, Under Armour and eBay.

Sharp replaces Kristy Reilly who left the business in December to join scooter and bike sharing service, Lime.

Groupon was one of the world’s hottest e-commerce startups at the beginning of this decade, setting up its Australian office in 2011 after finding itself embroiled in disputes with local businesses fighting over the fiercely competitive group buying space.

The Uber of its time, the US based company launched an initial public offering shortly after its Australian launch with its listed stock peaked at a valuation of $23bn in early 2012. Today the company has a valuation of $3bn.

In his new role with Groupon, Sharp will lead the company’s local consumer marketing team.

“I’m really excited to start work with Groupon in what’s a thrilling and evolving time in smart commerce,” Sharp said.

“We’re a global marketplace and a reliable enabler to every day buying habits, so our relevance and relationship with customers needs to continue adapting at the pace of growing consumer expectations and shopping opportunities.

“Groupon is primed and positioned to continue their success, because we’re in such a unique and valued position in the industry.

“As we continue to fulfil our purpose of building strong communities through thriving small businesses and national scale partnerships, we’ll also strengthen our personal connection with customers and work on communicating the right messages at the right times.”