MSC Cruises names UK and Ireland PR manager
Europe’s biggest cruise line, MSC Cruises, has appointed Teneo Blue Rubicon’s Natalie Billington as UK and Ireland PR manager.
Natalie Billington
Billington joins the cruise company as the latest in a series of UK hires designed to support its expansion in UK and Irish markets.
Working across trade and consumer press, her role will include establishing relationships with media, communicating MSC’s values and building brand affinity.
Billington joins MSC from Teneo Blue Rubicon, where she specialised in reputation management for brands including McDonald’s and Heineken.
Prior to working in communications, Billington spent four years working for Princess Cruises, where she held the role of assistant cruise director.
Antonio Paradiso, UK MD ffor MSC Cruises, said: “We’re really excited to have Natalie on-board and think her unique experience in the industry, as well as extensive communications background make her a great addition to the team.
“Our growth plans for the UK and Ireland are ambitious and we are expanding our team on the ground in the UK to support these plans, which include the inaugural season of the first ever full EX UK season, which will see MSC Magnifica port from Southampton from April to October 2018.
“We have the right product at the right time for the UK and Irish markets and a key part of Natalie’s role will be communicating this, and the enhancements we’ve made which allow us to better cater to UK and Irish consumers.”
MSC has committed to investing €9 billion (£7.8 billion) over the next 10 years as they embark on 11 new ship builds. The first ship, MSC Meraviglia, launches in June from the French port of Le Havre, with a new class of ship, MSC Seaside launching from Miami in December 2017.
