Manchester takes on former Games chief

Manchester City Council (MCC) has appointed Susan Hunt, the marketing chief behind last year’s Commonwealth Games, to a newly created post overseeing the marketing of the city.

Australian-born Hunt takes the title of director of marketing co-ordination and will work with all stakeholders involved in promoting Manchester.

Hunt was general manager for marketing for the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester. The event was hailed as a great success and drew more than 1 million visitors to the city.

Previously Hunt has held several marketing posts in Australia, including marketing director for Tourism New South Wales and executive manager for communications, for Sydney’s successful Olympic bid.

She will report to an advisory steering group chaired by the chief executive of MCC and made up of various shareholders such as the North West Development Agency and Marketing Manchester, a public body formed to focus on tourism.

Steve Mycio, deputy chief executive (performance) for MCC, says: “Everyone in Manchester is determined to build on the success of the Games and Susan has a range of expertise and commitment second to none.”

Hunt has been seconded to the MCC post from her employer, Sports Marketing and Management, for three years.