San Remo marketing joins South Australian Tourism Commission as Hill heads overseas

South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) has brought on San Remo’s former CMO as its new marketing chief to replacing outgoing executive marketing leader, Brent Hill.

Erik de Roos is joining the tourism body as its new executive director of marketing on 12 July. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the marketing and advertising field, including five years with San Remo and agencies such as Clemenger BBDO.

He replaces Hill, who has been in the position for more than five-and-a-half years. His achievements at the organisation have seen him repeatedly recognised in the CMO50 and among Australia’s marketing innovative and effective marketing leaders. His departure comes off the back of a challenging couple of years for tourism in the state after devastating bushfires as well as the COVID-19 global pandemic.

CMO understands Hill is moving on to a CEO posting at an international tourism agency.

SATC chief executive, Rodney Harrex, said there had been an extensive recruitment process to secure the best candidate to lead the marketing team during this critical time for tourism in SA.

“Erik brings a strong marketing background, is a creative thinker and is passionate about driving our brand as we continue our work to recover SA’s visitor economy,” Harrex stated. “He has broad experience across Australia and from his international placements, has been behind some of our strongest SA brands [such as San Remo, Balfours, Jacob’s Creek, Journey Beyond and the Motor Accident Commission] and is very excited to join the SATC and get to work.”

Harrex also noted the incredibly challenging period for the SATC and tourism more broadly in recent years. “We’ve worked hard to be outstanding in our engagement with the sector, and in driving initiatives to stimulate the visitor economy, so it is an exciting time for Erik to come on board and continue with the great work the team has been creating,” he said.

De Roos said he’s “beyond thrilled” about his next professional endeavour as an executive marketer.

“Working at the SATC has been a long-held professional ambition of mine and to be joining at such a pivotal time is an extremely exciting prospect,” he said.

“The agency is widely respected across the tourism and business sectors for delivering best-practice marketing campaigns and I can’t think of a better brand to work with. I love the passion and the ‘get it done’ attitude of the SATC, so I’m very keen to meet the team and be a part of it.”

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