California State University

Strategy, Scale up, Business Development, Marketing, Communications

Cathy was hired by Sir Richard Branson to start up the Virgin Active company in Italy. It proved to be the biggest European success story of all the Virgin brands to date. The Virgin Management went on to fund the start-up of CD Communications, founded by Cathy, with a goal to roll-out more Virgin brands in Europe. 

CD Communications proceeded to roll-out Virgin Active into Europe, Virgin Games, Virgin Radio, Virgin Cafe, Virgin Money and Virgin’s charity arms Virgin Unite and the Virgin Strive Challenge throughout Europe. 

In addition to Virgin Group brands, CD Communications has gone from strength to strength, building clients in many countries and across multiple industries; Entertainment, Fitness and Wellness, Luxury Goods, Sports and Technology: Web3, Meteverse providing managment consulting services such as Strategy, Scale up, Business Development, Brand, Marketing, Communications and PR.

Brand examples include AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Formula One, Nike, Adidas, Fiat Group,  Vodafone, Technogym, and America’s Cup, etc.  

As well as famous individuals, such as HRH Princess Charlene of Monaco, Clarence Seedorf and Director Ron Howard to name a few. 

And Cathy's passion, Not-for-profit clients have included The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Prince Albert Foundation, Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, The Special Olympics (Kennedy Family), The Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation (President Clinton), Not On Our Watch (Brad Pitt, George Clooney), Figo Foundation, Rainbows and Virgin Strive Challenge the most recent.

(full list attached)

CD Communications

Founder & CEO

Skills: Start-ups · Advertising · Strategic Communications · Marketing Strategy · Sports Marketing · Brand Development · Social Media Marketing · Brand Management · Digital Marketing · Strategy · Public Relations · Corporate Communications · Leadership · Digital Strategy

Superson

Advisor EMEA

The next frontier of digital music and culture.

STAGE11

Chief Commercial & Communications Officer

Scale up: managed novation of YooMoo brand to Natur., opened UK entity and office in London, set op full operations: staff, product, marketing, sales, business plan and budget.

Natur.

Chief Executive Officer UK - Interim

Scale up: Global strategic business development, scaled up Amsterdam office/team with clients such as Nike, Microsoft, Apple, Congnizant, Vodafone, Surrey Canal, G&S Atrium, PWC, AS Roma and FC Barcelona

Downstream

Director Global Strategic Accounts - Interim

"Cathy is one of our best brand managers " - Richard Branson

Scale up for diverse Virgin Companies expanding into Europe started with Virgin Active Italy and went onto Virgin Radio, Virgin Games (VirginPoker.it), Virgin Money, Virgin Green, Virgin Active Cafe, Virgin Active Spa and the charitable arm of the Virgin Group- Virgin Unite and The Virgin Strive Challenge through CD Communciations.

Virgin

Scale up, Brand, Marketing & Business Development 

"Virgin Active in Italy was the most successful Virgin company expansion ever into Europe and continues to be one of our most profitable." - Richard Branson

Scale up: Was hired directly by Richard Branson to expand Virgin Active into Italy. Set up the Italian entity and office in Milan and grew the company to 700 employees within the first 4 years and was profitable within the first year. Responsible for the business strategy, brand, marketing, communications, partnerships, operations and people & culture.

Virgin Active

Executive Director Brand Marketing & Communciations 

Scale up- expanded the company into 13 countries opening over 200 stores.  Was an integral part of the leadership leading Fitness First to become the largest health club chain globally.  Instrumental in the alliance with Technogym. Developed and implimented a global brand refresh, responsible for global brand, marketing & communications and managed directly Marketing teams in 5 European countries.

Fitness First

Global Brand Marketing Director

Rose through the ranks from Technical Rep to Category Women's Brand & Marketing Manager and EMEA Fitness consultant.  Responisble for product development, brand, marketing, communications, liscensing for equipment and gyms,  Athlete management, and EMEA Fitness events.  Integral in the transform of the Reebok brand into a global powerhouse as market leader in Category Womens's for the industry.  Concept developed, produced and screen wrote a 50 program TV series for Reebok - Fitness broadcasted throughout EMEA and a accompanying book "Reebok: The Total Workout".

Cathy Desaunois