Always looking for the next opportunity to grow.
Hello! I'm Laura
Passionate and adaptive entrepreneur based in between South Africa and Switzerland, with over 6 years of professional experience,
I ambition progressive roles in dynamic organisations.
I had the chance to blossom in various fields such as FMCG, retail, luxury tourism and haute couture by exhibiting skills in project management and communication while going the extra mile whenever needed.
Branding Project Management
Online Advertizing Product Development
Events Marketing PR
Campaign Management
Digital Marketing
EXPERIENCE
March 2020-NOW
Marketing Manager
CLUBMED Southern Africa
Drive the Marketing plan efficiency & maximise sales contribution:
- Drive online sales development on the local website,
- Guarantee brand image & positioning, upscale strategy implementation and PR,
- Ensure a referential role for market, client and product knowledge,
- Provide trade marketing and sales tools to all sales managers.
Management of 2 people as well as 2 freelancers.
2018-NOW
Digital Marketing & Consulting
FREELANCE Switzerland & South Africa
Market studies (e.g.: Club Med), digital Marketing freelance & whitelabel for Swiss agencies (e.g.: SEMSEA, Zurich).
Website creation (Red Sand Minerals, Be-partners, Zebmarketing), SEO and paid online advertising (Google, Facebook, Bing.
Championing entrepreneurs & communities at Google events.
2016-2018
Marketing & Brand Management
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO Switzerland
In charge of the brand Parisienne (leading Swiss brand, Eco-friendly territory, 18% MS): Development of national 360° communication campaign (retail, events and digital) with a budget of + ZAR 24M, sponsor of major Swiss-festivals (250K visitors). Ongoing collaboration with one of the biggest DACH communication strategy agencies (JvM) - briefings & workshops.
Responsible for providing induction trainings to newcomers.
2014 & 2015
Product Development Internship
CHRITIAN DIOR COUTURE France
Two internships, assigned extended responsibilities in the second. Partnering with Product Managers in elaborating luxury items for the seasonal Fashion-Show: ongoing coordination with designers, suppliers and manufacturers.
2014-2015
Digital & Luxury Wine Tourism Internship
WINE PATHS France
In charge of 2 websites & all social media channels: content creation & performance analysis (e.g. Google Analytics) — +90% YoY growth in traffic and sales. Responsible for: Tailor made luxury travels, CRM for businesses and private VIP customers.
2011, 2012 & 2013
Marketing Internship
AMCOR PACKAGING Switzerland & Singapore
Two internships: conduct of an Asian & ME market analysis and definition of potential growth areas: data mining from sales & technical teams, coupled with researches on Euro- & DataMonitor.
EDUCATION
2013-2016
MBA Degree
INSEEC France
Major: Luxury Brand Management, Food & Wine
Fundamentals of the brand management skills across various fields: hospitality, wine, jewellery, fashion, tourism, etc.
Courses combined with part-time position at WinePaths.
2009-2012
Bachelor's Degrees
FHNW Switzerland, DHBW Germany,UHA France LAIBS United Kingdom
Study in 3 languages (En, Fr, De), in 3 countries (in Basel, Colmar and Lörrach). Gain business experience in 3 integrated internships. Earn 3 bachelor’s degrees from three different countries (BSc, BA, Licence).
2006-2009
High School Diploma
LYCEE LAMBERT France
French Baccaleauréat in Economics and Social Sciences.
Major: English (USA-France student exchange & President Barack Obama visit in Strasbourg)
OTHER CERTIFICATIONS
First Aid
Samaritains, Lausanne -CH
Sustainable Future
University of Illinois, -USA
LANGUAGES
French
Native speaker
English
Bilingual
German
Fluent
Swiss German
Please not too fast!
Italian & Spanish
Basics there,
can easily be reactivated
DIGITAL MARKETING SKILLS
Google Ads
Facebook Ads
Bing Ads
SEO
SKILLS
Presentation
Customer centric
Crisis management
Team player
Coordination
Leadership
Make it happen
Adaptive
Organisation
Analytical
REFERENCES
Managers feedbacks:
"DEVELOPING HER TEAM'S TALENTS"
"Good listener and analytical sense. Positivism in every situation. Team player. Strong involvement in developing her team's talents."
O. Hannaert,
Vice President,
ClubMed Southern Africa, 2021
"STRONG WORK ETHICS"
"Mrs. Hendel was a professional, highly motivated and proactive employee. We strongly appreciated her experience and good organisational skills. Her high level of commitment together with her strong work ethics were very appreciated."
M.Rademacher-Pilloud,
Senior Brand Manager,
BAT Switzerland, 2018
"LOOKING FOR THE EXTRA MILE"
"Laura has shown strong ownership; she is on top of her projects, delivers on promises regarding timings and excellence, looking for the extra mile and to raise the bar, in a very smooth way. She uses positive energy to inspire others."
M. Tenhumberg,
Senior Brand Manager,
BAT Switzerland, 2018
"RELIABLE, VERY ORGANIZED"
"She is reliable, very organized and able to cope with stress in every situation. She was able after only 6 months in the role to coach the new ATSM Coordinator, without impacting her work."
V. Reymond,
Marketing Manager,
BAT Switzerland, 2017
PRESS
21.09.21 | Quote
LOOK: Seychelles resort set to become South African travellers’ new playground
Extract | Those looking for an all-inclusive holiday can now travel to the Seychelles, where the recently opened Club Med Seychelles offers a perfect getaway.
The 5-star property is set on the 220-hectare island of Sainte Anne, offering some of the most breathtaking views at the destination. (...)
Laura Hendel, Head of Marketing at Club Med South Africa, believes the resort will become a major travel destination for South Africans. (...)
Readership: 5 502 313
30.09.20 | Interview
Tourism marketing during a pandemic
Extract | Tourism destinations and brands have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, but marketing has continued to be important during the crisis, says Laura Hendel, customer growth marketing manager for Club Med Southern Africa.
Readership: 1 425 794
30.08.21 | Interview
#WomensMonth: 'Seize every opportunity life brings you to learn something new' - Laura Hendel, Club Med SA
Extract | Laura Hendel is the customer growth marketing manager at Club Med Southern Africa. This Women's Month, we chat with Hendel - who just became a mom for the first time and joined the company as Covid-19 hit - about how Club Med navigated the brand as the pandemic took hold of the world, the importance of staying curious and why Women's Month should be more than a specific yearly celebration. (...)
Readership: 522 509
26.08.21 | Interview
What female consumers really want: Women's Month edition
Extract | What do female consumers really want to see from their favorite brands? This is a question that marketers have to keep asking, as the female consumer is constantly changing. This is especially true now, as current trends have seen more women demand equal rights and for brands to stop pushing stereotypical content in their direction.
For this women’s month, the team at media update spoke to two strong leading women in their respective industries and got the scoop on what female consumers really want to see from their favourite brands. (...)
Readership: 55 000