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Hamilton Island names Sophie Baker corporate comms head for America’s Cup assault

Hamilton Island Enterprises, part of the Oatley family empire, has promoted Sophie Baker to the role of corporate communications director, with oversight of Australia’s America’s Cup challenge among her responsibilities.

Sophie baker

Along with heading the PR strategy for the Oatley brands, which include Hamilton Island and Robert Oatley Vineyards, Baker will oversee corporate communications for Team Australia which will bid to bring home the Holy Grail of yachting trophies in 2017.

Team Australia is the sailing team for Hamilton Island Yacht Club which late last year became the ‘Challenger of Record’ for the 35th America’s Cup.

The Oatley family hope to follow in the footsteps of Alan Bond, the disgraced former owner of Channel Nine, who became an Australian hero in 1983 after bankrolling the Australia II syndicate which successfully brought the America’s Cup to local shores. The New York Yacht Club had held the trophy since 1851, believed to be the longest winning streak in the history of sport.

Baker, Hamilton Island’s senior communications manager prior to her promotion, will retain the corporate comms role for Qualia, the island’s luxury resort, and “associated events”.

She will also take responsibility for reputational management and strategic promotion of the brands.

Baker said: “The opportunity to oversee Corporate Communications for Team Australia’s campaign for the 35th America’s Cup campaign is of course a privilege and an honour, and the next four years of activity and planning as we work  towards it will be a very exciting time not only for Hamilton Island but also Australia.”

Hamilton Island Enterprises chairman Sandy Oatley added: “Her close collaboration with CEOs and key executives of Team Australia, Hamilton Island and Robert Oatley Vineyards will ensure the strength of communications across brands and provide additional senior management bandwidth.”

Steve Jones

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