Leveraging Digital for the Hospitality Industry
Updated: Mar 15, 2022
Julie Hastings is the Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels and a visiting Professor at the Ulster University. She is a powerhouse in the world of business and hospitality.
On todays episode, Julie shares with us how the hugely successful family business grew over the years to what we know as the Hastings Group of today, seven beautiful, well known hotels across Northern Ireland:
The global pandemic brought extremely challenging times to the hospitality industry. Julie, a creative at heart, speaks of how Hastings Hotels rose to this challenge by launching new and innovative digital campaigns where collaborations were key.
As the hospitality industry is trying to return to the ‘New Norm’, Julie speaks of the challenges and gives advice to both the staff on the ground and management.
A true lady with a wealth of knowledge. This is one not to miss.
Leveraging Digital for the Hospitality Industry with Julie Hastings
Check out the episode here:
Here is the episode highlight reel:
[2:38] Julie shares why her father, who had inherited working men pubs in Belfast from his father, decided to go into the hotel industry.
[4:54] From not knowing what she wanted to do career wise, to starting the marketing department in Hastings Hotels, Julie talks about how her roll came about and how it has changed over the past thirty three years.
[10:07] "I don't think there is such a thing as a typical marketing strategy." Julie explains how they were cost effective during a global pandemic and how students can play a valuable role on a marketing team.
[15:19] With only three out of their seven hotels open for frontline workers, Julie explains how they got creative, kept their brand alive and how collaborating made the magic happen.
[25:04] "People need each other." Julie describes how 'Line of Duty Tour' and 'Derry Girls at the Everglades Hotel' came to fruition.
[30:29] The famous Hastings Hotel duck and seahorse, Julie explains how this iconic branding was born, how it is growing, changing and how many they get through in a year!
[33:45] Story telling and Instagramable settings, how Hastings Hotels marry the two.
[36:17] Julie shares how they keep up to date in this fast paced digital world.
[38:47] As the hospitality industry is reopening and adjusting to a 'New Norm', Julie shares reassuring advice to people entering or who are currently in the industry.
Links from Episode:
Sponsored by:
Johanna Scullion, HR Made Easy