International Expert in Food & Drink Marketing & Communication
Olivier’s career is centred on one common thread: working on challenges at an international level
ergo, anywhere and everywhere in the world.
The Anglo-Saxon world and Latin America
Having gained his masters in Agricultural Economics, Olivier began his working life in Mexico in the development field under the umbrella of the Fundación Mejicana para el Desarollo Rural (FMDR). Returning to Paris he began working as an International Product Manager for the group Roussel Uclaf, in the phyto-sanitary and veterinary sectors, before being made responsible for North Africa, Southern Europe and South America. Leaving Paris once again, he started a new career in the commercial section of the French Embassy in London where he was in charge of agricultural affairs and trade.
Transferring to Washington DC, he discovered a new branch in the communications armoury, as yet unknown in Europe: lobbying. In charge of French interests and commercial activities on behalf of the Embassy, he ran the communications operation for a number of food crises: listeria in cheese, benzene in Perrier sparkling water and procymidone in wines.
The promotion and communication sector and agency management
He returned to London to take up the reins in Sopexa, charged with turning the organization around from a governmental structure to an independent marketing agency. For five years he ran the offices in the British Isles and Eire, and oversaw the management of more than 50 industry association clients, 30 of which were from the wine sector. This led to one of his biggest challenges – how to respond to the arrival of New World Wines on the market, particularly those from Australia?
Arriving in Barcelona, Olivier was tasked by Sopexa with the opening and development of the Iberian Peninsula markets to private brands activities. He devised the strategy of integrating French products into the local Spanish food culture, developing partnerships with a number of local actors. And that’s why French cheese is now an integral part of Spanish tapas!
Designated Company Secretary for the Group, he returned once again to Paris, where he contributed to the complete privatisation of the company, after which he became Commercial Director for Sopexa worldwide.
Consulting and interim management
He then decided to return to Barcelona where, today, he is at the head of his own consulting company and undertakes interim management and projects for a number of clients, particularly trade associations and the European Union: 18 months managing international marketing campaigns for the International Olive Council (USA-Canada, China, Russia, Brazil, Japan), defining the European marketing approach for the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), collaboration with Chafea (European Union Agency) as an expert assessor as well as advising numerous clients on marketing strategies and campaigns.
Olivier would be happy to share with you his multi-markets experience and expertise as well as his in-depth understanding of the economic, political and technical implications involved in collective and generic marketing campaigns.
Education
Corporate Experience
