“In Little Black Dress, I have finally found a group of like-minded women, all from different businesses and stages, that can get together and instantly have so much in common.
It is much more than networking, it’s the place I can go where I know there will be people who are open to helping me and importantly open to being helped.
There are no hidden agendas, just a desire to help and support each other to be great and to create the change we want to see happen.” – Alicia Beachley, CEO, April5
“I believe that running a successful business is like running a successful family, you just need to stick to your values and what’s important to you.”
After a successful career in below the line agencies, Alicia decided to single-handedly set up her own agency. In 2007, April5 was launched, an independent and specialised promotional marketing activation agency. April5 activates ideas and creates campaigns that change behaviour, drive consumer action and deliver measurable results. Driven by a passion for delivering great campaigns and exceptional client service, Alicia has successfully established April5 as a world-class agency destination with a local feel. Through Alicia’s leadership, April5 prides itself on being more than an agency partner to its clients, who include Nokia, Coty, Calvin Klein, Nature’s Care, Pilot Pens and Stockland, rather an invaluable part of its clients’ teams.
With 20 years industry experience, Alicia has managed a vast array of campaigns from million dollar sales promotions to new product launches and national retail and experiential events for a broad range of major clients.
Alicia began her agency career with international sales promotions agency The Continuity Group in 1993, where she gained invaluable experience in retail sales promotions working with major clients such as Coles, Woolworths and Franklins.
In 1996 her move to the role of Account Director at Creative Sales provided Alicia with experience in FMCG and sampling/events. Alicia was at Creative Sales for three years managing accounts including Unilever, Arnott’s, Philips Mobile Phones, Pepsi and Ozemail.
In 1998, Alicia moved to Hausmann Communications to set up the promotional marketing division. Working directly with Judi Hausmann, Alicia was responsible for the development of the group and integration with the PR teams. Alicia managed clients including Nokia, Unilever, Cerebos, George Weston Foods, Commonwealth Securities, Warner Home Video, and Starbucks.
Alicia is currently on the Executive Committee of the Australasian Promotional Marketing Association (APMA), the peak industry body for promotional marketing and brand activation agencies in Australia and New Zealand, and a subsidiary of The Communications Council. Alicia also finds time to manage the annual APMA Star Awards program, which acknowledges and rewards marketing agencies and clients for their outstanding creativity and strategic prowess, as well as writing and blogging for a number of key industry publications.
“Success is building a thriving business, while staying true to our core agency strengths in brand activation. Most importantly it’s about continuing to love what I do.”
Alicia Beachley
CEO
April5 Agency
ph: 029977 6255