Experience the Sweet Taste of Success

Kent business people will be given food for thought when the Global Brand Director at Green & Black’s shares his achievements – and chocolate – at Kent’s Annual Marketing Lecture.

Mark Palmer will be the guest speaker at the sixth annual lecture, which is organised by the Kent branch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Business Link, and will share the inside story of Green & Black’s organic chocolate’s rise to fame.

Having started his career at United Biscuits, Mark moved on to become the Marketing Manager for Burger King in the UK. Deciding to leave big business, he was appointed as the first Marketing Director at Green & Black’s where he transformed the brand from a niche organic product to an everyday luxury. It is now the UK’s fastest growing chocolate brand.

Ian Lockyer, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Kent branch, said: “Once again the Kent Annual Marketing Lecture will see a big name speaker who is able to draw from tangible business experience to give tips on how to radically change the type of audience you are targeting. What Mark has achieved at Green & Black’s is outstanding and I know that every self respecting marketer will want to hear about his thoughts and achievements.”

During Mark’s time as Marketing Director at Green & Black’s, sales rose from £4 million to £40 million. In 2005, the Marketing Society voted him Marketer of the Year and he has featured in the Marketing Power 100 for two successive years in his unofficial role as champion of entrepreneurial marketing and small business.

Business Link’s Marketing Director Tony Buddin commented: “Green & Black’s had a limited marketing budget but Mark achieved some amazing feats by repositioning the brand to appeal to a wider customer base. In a competitive marketplace, marketing is key to success; this is a chance to learn some top tips and apply them to your business.”

The lecture, which is open to everyone from students to experienced marketers, is being held on the evening of 24 October at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, near Maidstone.

For further information, or to book tickets for the event, which cost £16.60 +VAT, visit www.eventskent.co.uk, email events@businesslinkent.co.uk or call 01732 878555.