Joanna Cooke is leave the Tourism Authority of Thailand after more than eight years to become trade marketing director for Visit California in the UK and Ireland.
Cooke, TAT marketing and PR manager, leisure, for the UK & Ireland, leaves on September 18 after eight and a half years to join marketing and PR firm Black Diamond as trade marketing director for its Visit California account.
Her departure has led to the promotion of TAT trade marketing manager Chris Lee, who will assume a larger role as head of marketing and PR.
He will be in charge of both consumer and trade marketing and PR for the Thai tourist board in the UK and Ireland and is in the process of recruiting a marketing and PR executive to support him.
He said: “We are sorry to lose Jo and we have had a very good relationship with her but this is a fantastic opportunity for her and we wish her all the best.”
Black Diamond strategy director Jonah Whitaker said: “We are delighted that Joanna Cooke is joining Black Diamond at such an exciting and pivotal time for the agency. Joanna will be working on the expanding Visit California account as trade marketing director, covering the UK & Irish markets.
“Visit California recently increased its global budget and will continue to target the UK as one of its primary brand markets investing more into consumer advertising, PR and travel trade. Joanna has done an amazing job at Tourism Thailand and we look forward to adding her skills and experience to an incredibly passionate and talented travel team here at Black Diamond.”
Cooke said: “After nearly nine amazing years, and 49 trips to Thailand I will be saying a sad farewell to the Tourism Authority of Thailand next month as I continue my career in destination marketing with an exciting new opportunity.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with my colleagues and trade partners over the years promoting Thailand and I’d like to thank them for all the fun moments, happy memories and kind support.
“I am very much looking forward to joining the talented team at Black Diamond, as they continue to grow and expand, and meeting with and getting to know the USA travel industry over the next few months.”