A Glass Half Full Look at Victorian Wine – My Q&A with Dan Sims
Dan Sims has spent his career making wine fun, social and accessible. In this Growth Insights Q&A, the Chair of Wine Victoria shares why he’s optimistic about the future of Victorian wine, the opportunities for producers, and why storytelling – not spreadsheets – is what truly connects producers to people.
To hear the full conversation, watch the full 20-minute Growth Insights interview here.
Smarter Social Media for Time-Poor Venues
Running a venue is hard enough without also feeling like you need to be a full-time content creator. Between rostering, suppliers, and service, finding time for social media can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. In this article, I share smart posting rhythms, high-impact content ideas, platform priorities, ad tips, and how to make it all manageable, even if you’re doing it solo.
What Visit Victoria’s 2030 Strategy Paper Means for Food and Wine Operators
While international and younger audiences represent longer-term opportunities, there are some easy wins too — like aligning with Visit Victoria’s brand pillars, improving visibility through trade partnerships, and creating experiences that feel fresh and social.
You Can’t Fake Good Hospitality: with Richard Cornish
Richard Cornish says great hospitality starts with alignment. If you’re promising finger-lickin’ chicken, you’d better have chicken—and a serviette. From fast food fails to Movida’s hand-built magic, this episode dives into the details that matter.
Because you really can’t fake good hospitality.
How to Sell Out Your Food or Wine Event
Spent time, energy and budget on an event, only to see sales stall? After 15 years in food and wine events — from restaurant launches and wine dinners to Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Grampians Grape Escape — I’ve seen what actually works.
This article shares ten tactics that drive results. Whether you’re chasing ticket sales, launching something new or building an event brand, start here.
Stop Wasting Your Marketing Budget
Is your marketing investment just... not working?
If you're jumping into ad placements and promotions without a clear plan, you're not alone, but you are wasting budget.
This article breaks down why food, wine, and tourism businesses often feel stuck, and what the strongest operators do differently. From budget benchmarks to the marketing channels that actually convert, it’s time to cut the noise and focus on what works.
Top Melbourne Food and Wine Media to Know in 2025
I’m a big believer that brands should own their media relationships. It builds credibility, authority and keeps you relevant.
Want to connect with Melbourne’s most influential food and wine media? Start here.
Delivering Results Under Pressure: Grampians Grape Escape 2025
This year, I was pleased to lead marketing and strategy for the 2025 Grampians Grape Escape – a five-month project that spanned content development, festival delivery and post-event reporting.
Hospitality Collaborations with Hilary McNevin [Interview]
I was thrilled to sit down with Hilary McNevin, a highly respected communications expert in the food space.
As a food writer she contributed to Broadsheet, The Age, SBS Food, and The Guardian among other publications, and, most importantly, founded her own business, Turnip Media, in 2017. Turnip Media is a PR and Comms agency working with leading food, wine, tourism and lifestyle brands on daily communications matters.
Hilary gives clear advice on what to look for when initiating a collaboration, who to collaborate with, and how to ensure its success.
Three Reasons You Need a Marketing Plan
If your business has hit the $1M+ revenue mark and you’re looking to scale, you’ve probably realised that marketing without a plan leads to wasted time, money, and effort. A clear strategy keeps you focussed, ensures consistency, and drives real growth.
In this blog, I break down the three biggest reasons why a strategic marketing plan is the key to unlocking your next stage of success.
Still Life Spirits- Revitalising Casperrin Gin
Still Life Spirits, the team behind Casperrin Gin, sought to stand out in Australia’s rapidly growing spirits industry, where competition is fierce. By leveraging brand and pricing strategy expertise, I helped them define their market position through in-depth competitor analysis, industry feedback, and targeted pricing. The result? A comprehensive strategy, validated by expert insights, that empowers Casperrin Gin to confidently enter the market. With a clear direction, they’re poised for growth and ready to capture the attention of gin lovers nationwide.
Want More Visitors? 7 Tips to Market Your Regional Business
Inspired by my recent trip to central Victoria I’ve put together some key tourism marketing tips to help regional businesses attract more visitors. Practical, real, and results-driven. Have a read!
5 Marketing Ideas That Go Beyond Social Media
Social media is great for small businesses, but if you’re relying solely on it, you’re missing out on opportunities. Here are five cost-effective promotional ideas that don’t rely on social media to drive awareness, sales, and repeat business.
Coda & Tonka – Bringing Strategy & Structure to Marketing
Coda and Tonka, two of Melbourne’s top dining spots, had been running their marketing in-house for years, but over time, consistency slipped, and things became more reactive than strategic. Now, they have a strategy that works—and a plan to keep growing.
A Guide to Launching a New (or Redeveloped) Venue
Launching a new venue? Don’t miss your one shot to make it count.
Opening the doors to a hospitality destination is thrilling, but the pressure to get it right can also be intense. With so much riding on your launch, having a smart marketing plan is non-negotiable.
This guide walks you through the essentials—step by step—ensuring your venue shines from day one.
Revamp Your Brand Strategy for 2025
Your brand isn’t just a logo—it’s how customers connect with your story. Over the years, I’ve helped countless businesses uncover untapped potential through brand audits. In this guide, I’ll share my insider process for refining your brand strategy and ensuring it thrives in 2025 and beyond.
Kickstart 2025: Your Guide to a Winning Marketing Plan
Planning for 2025 might feel daunting, but it’s the perfect time to reflect, refine, and set your business up for success. In this article, I share actionable steps to review the past year, set SMART goals, and build campaigns that capture the opportunities of a new year. Ready to make 2025 your best year yet? Let’s dive in.
Small-Batch Spirits, Big Impact Launches
Launching a spirits brand? Here’s what I’ve learned from the trenches: success isn’t luck—it’s strategy.
Discover the must-dos for pricing, storytelling, and scaling your small-batch spirits to stand out in a highly competitive market.
Behind the Good Food Guide: An Interview with Roslyn Grundy
My 2018 interview with Roslyn Grundy, Editor of The Age Good Food Guide, was the most popular article on my old site, CommsClass. Much of her timeless advice for restaurateurs is still relevant today. Read on, restaurateurs.
30 Insights in 30 Days: What You’ll Discover About Your Brand
Discover the 30 insights you’ll gain in the first month of working with me. From understanding what keeps your customers coming back to finding the unique strengths that set you apart from competitors, this 30-day roadmap is designed to build a foundation for long-term success. Let’s start unlocking your brand’s potential together.