Solomon Airlines has appointed Australian PR consultant Mike Parker-Brown to manage its international public relations portfolio.

Announcing the news General Manager Operations & Commercial, Gus Kraus said Parker-Brown’s high profile and experience with strong aviation, travel industry and media connections made him a natural fit for the newly created role.

“Mike’s CV is very well rounded and his contacts and expertise in aviation and travel industry media relations speak for themselves,” Mr Kraus said.

“We are sure these skills will provide a strong fit for our current marketing strategy.

“His work on the PR portfolio is expected to play an important part in our forward strategy as we move to expand our international network and further build on our status as the ‘best little airline in the South Pacific.’

“We are delighted to have Mike on the team.”While reporting directly to the airline’s Honiara-based executive, Parker-Brown will also work closely with Solomon Airlines’ Australian-based Regional General Manager Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Victor Sharan.

Sydney-based Parker-Brown is no stranger to the regional tourism industry where he has managed PR for several large organisations in recent years.

More pertinent to the Solomon Airlines role is his experience managing PR and consulting to a number of airlines and national tourist offices in Australia and New Zealand and also globally.

He is a recipient of the Australian Society of Travel Writers’ ’Communicator of the Year’ award.

His non-tourism industry work includes a stint with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) where he received a Johnston Award for his work on the Australian Federal Government’s Olympic business strategy, Business Club Australia.

He also assisted Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and his People’s National Congress party with international and domestic PR support during the 2012 PNG general election.