John Noonan, Sales and Marketing Director at Flahavans has been awarded Marketer of the Year 2009 by Marketing.ie, sponsored by Alternatives. John, who has been with Flahavans since 1997, oversaw the successful strategic repositioning of the brand in the Irish breakfast cereals market.

Recruitment of new consumers to the brand was one of Noonan’s main objectives. He oversaw new product development at Flahavans with the introduction of new range Organic consumer products and “Quick Oats”, the company’s convenience offering. Today Flahavans has 73.7 per cent of the new Organic oat market and 86.4% of the newly emerged convenience segment.

The company continues to lead the way through innovative product development, ensuring that Flahavans maintains its position as market leader of the hot oats sector.

Noonan also progressed a move in Flahavan’s brand image in line with changing consumer needs and market segmentation. He oversaw the repositioning of the brand towards the compelling health benefits associated with oats and recognised that international trends in health and oats would filter through to the Irish consumer, which resulted in double digit growth over a number of years in the category.

John said, “I am greatly honoured to receive this prestigious award on behalf of Flahavans and all of its employees and staff. The last ten years has been an exciting time for all at Flahavans. We have seen a dramatic transformation in the company, brand portfolio and our relationship with consumers. The ability to deliver great food brands to market has to be about teamwork and the people that are involved from the production floor through to finance, logistics, sales and marketing. In smaller sized companies you especially need people with enthusiasm and a flexible approach. Plans can set direction but ultimately the endeavor succeeds or fails because of the people involved.

Commenting on the award, John Flahavan said, “Our congratulations to John on receiving this prestigious award. We are very proud to be an Irish indigenous manufacturing company and will continue to strive to produce brands that use Irish oats and other quality locally sourced raw materials to give us advantages in terms of taste, while staying close to the changing needs of our consumers’ lifestyles.”

Operating in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford for over 200 years, spanning six generations, Flahavans is Ireland’s oldest private family food company. Flahavan’s porridge is available in a variety of options, from the Progress, Real Fruit and Organic ranges to the the convenient Quick Oats range, including the single serving pots and the microwaveable sachets, which now includes an Organic option.

Issued by Walsh Public Relations on behalf of E. Flahavan & Sons Ltd.
For information contact:
Ciaran Curran, Walsh Public Relations. Tel.: (01) 661 3515 or 086 373 5874.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

John Noonan biographical information
John, a native of Cork, has over 25 years marketing experience having worked abroad and at home in various roles with Guinness GB, London International Group, C&D Petfoods and Cahill May Roberts Group.

In 1997, John joined Flahavans, based in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, as Marketing Director and was appointed Sales and Marketing Director in 2007.

John has also been a director of Waterford Chamber of Commerce (2002-2004), Chairman of the Tall Ships Marketing Committee (2005) and is a member of Waterford Tourism and Marketing. He is a director of Love Irish Food. He completed his term as Chairman of the Bord Bia Brand Forum in May 2009 and has been a member of its Steering Group since 2005.