Erin Hodge

Senior brand, partnerships and marketing leader with 10+ years' experience shaping the growth, positioning and audience development of luxury, cultural and experience-led brands. Works across strategy, partnerships, communications and experiential concepts, translating brand vision into commercially and culturally relevant campaigns, collaborations and public-facing experiences. Particular strength in identifying opportunities, building strategic partnerships and developing initiatives that deepen brand identity, audience engagement and long-term relevance.

Brand and Marketing Consultant at Self-Employed (2024-09 – Present)

Advising luxury, cultural and hospitality-adjacent brands on positioning, partnerships, audience development and growth strategy. Working across brand launches, market-entry initiatives, experiential concepts and partnership development projects spanning Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

• Define positioning frameworks, narrative territories and strategic direction for cultural and luxury brands.
• Develop partnership, programming and experience-led concepts that strengthen cultural relevance and audience engagement.
• Structure strategic narratives and materials for partnerships, fundraising and platform expansion.
• Shape how projects are introduced, experienced and communicated across partnerships, programming, editorial and audience touchpoints.
• Selected projects include market-entry strategy for a US creative platform, experiential programming concepts for a luxury fragrance house, VIP strategy for an Abu Dhabi design fair, and partnership development for cultural and hospitality-adjacent brands.

Director, Marketing and Partnerships at Melbourne Art Foundation (2021-08 – 2024-09)

Led the repositioning and growth of Melbourne Art Fair, the launch of Melbourne Design Fair and early strategic development of FUTUREOBJEKT, shaping partnerships, campaign direction, audience strategy and public engagement while helping establish new sectors, experiences and institutional relationships that strengthened the fairs' cultural profile. Continued in an advisory and delivery capacity through Feb 2025.

• Led strategic campaign development, editorial planning and content direction across multiple fair editions, defining key narratives, artist profiling, interview series, video content and audience communications across paid, owned and earned channels.
• Led senior partnerships with global luxury brands and cultural institutions, including LOEWE, The Ritz-Carlton, Piper-Heidsieck and NGV.
• Secured the organisation's first Principal Partner in over 30 years.
• Acted as senior creative counterpart to partners, shaping activations, commissions and VIP experiences.
• Oversaw delivery of partner activations and events, ensuring alignment with brand and audience objectives.
• Developed public and VIP-facing experiences including talks, events and cultural activations that shaped the overall audience experience of the fairs.
• Defined brand positioning and contributed to creative direction across campaigns, platforms and on-site experiences, working closely with designers, content creators and external agencies.
• Delivered integrated campaigns across digital, PR and partnerships.
• Drove +14% visitation, +20% VIP attendance and +16% increase in artworks sold.
• Oversaw marketing budgets and cross-functional teams, ensuring quality and performance.

Marketing and Partnerships Manager at Melbourne Art Foundation (2019-09 – 2021-07)

Assistant Marketing Manager at Emporium Melbourne (2018-05 – 2019-09)

Played a key role in the pre-opening development, launch and growth of a $1.6B luxury retail and lifestyle destination, supporting brand positioning, partnerships, communications and experiential marketing initiatives.

• Delivered integrated 360° campaigns and brand activations across retail and digital channels.
• Led the award-winning "Reimagine" launch campaign, generating $10M+ in PR value and winning VIVA Best of the Best.
• Secured and developed 100+ brand, cultural and commercial partnerships including collaborations with Baz Luhrmann, Disney and leading luxury retailers.

Marketing Coordinator at Emporium Melbourne (2014-01 – 2018-05)

PR and Event Production Coordinator at Stella McCartney (2010-07 – 2010-12)

• Worked across London and Paris teams on the Spring/Summer 2011 and 2013 shows at Paris Fashion Week, supporting show production, guest management and press coordination.
• Contributed to the launch of Stella McCartney's children's collection, supporting international press and event delivery.

PR and Event Production Coordinator at Stella McCartney (2012-08 – 2012-11)

Mini MBA in Brand Management – Marketing Week (2022 – 2022)

Bachelor's Degree of Applied Science in Fashion and Textile Merchandising, Marketing – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2011 – 2011)

Diploma of Product Development and Merchandising in Product Development and Merchandising – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2010 – 2010)

Diploma of Management in Management – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2010 – 2010)