Shane Thurston

Experience

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  Harford Sports Promotions

  Jul 2008 - Nov 2008

  Event Coordinator

  Managed operations and logistics for various events including the 94.7 Cycle Challenge and 702 Walk the Talk, supervised the design of sites, coordinated deadlines with suppliers and ensured adherence to company policies and health and safety guidelines.

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  Sail

  May 2010 - Dec 2012

  Operations Assistant/Events Manager

  Setup logistics for events including the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, Alfred Dunhill Championship, Joburg Open 2010 & 2011 and FIFA Congress (2010 World Cup), managed site operations, governed warehouse functions and optimised operational costs to deliver efficiency.

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  SAIL Rights Commercialisation

  Jan 2012 - Jul 2014

  Brand and Activations Manager

  Manage Vodacom Branding and Logistics for Vodacom Super Rugby and Vodacom Cup

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  Trinergy Brand Connectors

  Aug 2014 - May 2015

  Rugby Specialist

  Took full ownership of logistics and sponsorship management, negotiated deal activations with senior sponsors, organised events for clients, delivered brand awareness campaigns, managed rights, supervised 16 teams focussed on branding management and coordinated ways of working with suppliers.

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  Openfield Marketing

  Aug 2014 - Jan 2017

  Managed sponsorship for events including the Vodacom Super Rugby, Vodacom Durban July, Castle Lager Incoming Series and Castle Lager Rugby Championship, managed the brands social image and reputation, collaborated with suppliers, uplifted client relations, created new branding initiatives and conceptualised strategic campaigns. Led logistics management for 16 stadiums spread across South Africa, managed brand awareness campaigns, supervised sponsorship agreements for the Vodacom cup, improved ways of working with suppliers and clients and managed financial processes and reporting activities.

  • Account Manager

    Jun 2015 - Jan 2017

  • Account Executive

    Aug 2014 - May 2015
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  Events in the Sky - London

  Feb 2017 - Nov 2017

  Account Manager

  • Managed various high-profile events in collaboration with partners spread across 50 countries • Improved relationships with suppliers and uplifted client relations• Managed financial budgets and quality assured logistics processes• Took accountability for client engagements and improved relations with client teams

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  Perception Live

  Jan 2018 - Jul 2021

  Account Manager

  • Worked in a team of expert production managers and technicians and managed high-profile accounts • Acted as a company ambassador and single point of contact for senior client stakeholders• Maintained excellent ways of working with clients, suppliers and partners• Enriched sales strategies to increase profitability results and managed the entire sales pipeline• Quality assured logistics processes and ensured adherence with deadlines communicated to clients• Validated the utilisation of financial budgets and identified ways to reduce costs Show less

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  VCL VINTNERS LIMITED

  Aug 2021 - now

  Senior Cask Broker

  VCL Vintners are a London Based Whisky Cask Merchants, the Market Leaders. Currently managing a whisky portfolio of over £150mWe source and manage the finest single malt Scotch whisky casks. These can range from young, new-fill barrels to some of the rarest and oldest casks known to man. We are nearing our 16th year of trading and have exchanged on tens of millions of pounds of whisky, wine, port, champagne and cognac.Client Acquisition: Identify potential buyers and sellers within the whisky market. Develop and maintain strong relationships with distilleries, collectors, investors, retailers, and other stakeholders to expand your network and clienteleTransaction Facilitation: Act as a mediator between buyers and sellers, facilitating smooth and fair transactions. Negotiate terms, prices, and conditions to ensure mutually beneficial deals for all parties involvedMarket Analysis: Stay updated on market trends, demand fluctuations, and emerging opportunities within the whisky industry. Conduct thorough market research to assess the value of different whisky types and brands.Risk Management: Assess and mitigate potential risks associated with whisky transactions, such as market volatility, and legal issues. Implement strategies to protect the interests of your clients and minimize financial risksClient Advisory: Provide expert advice and guidance to clients regarding investment opportunities, portfolio management, whisky collection curation, and other related mattersNetworking and Industry Engagement: Attend industry events, conferences, and trade shows to network with industry professionals, promote your services, and stay updated on industry developmentsDocumentation and Legal Compliance: Handle all necessary paperwork, contracts, and legal documentation related to whisky transactions. Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards Show less