5 minutes with
Jeanette Mao

Meet Cathay Pacific manager cargo global accounts & marketing

Tell us a little about yourself

I joined Cathay Pacific Group in 2002 and have worked in a variety of positions in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, with experience in various roles from Passenger Sales and Product Development to Government Affairs.

Prior to my role in Cargo, I worked in Cathay Pacific’s International Affairs department, looking after aeropolitical issues and governmental relationships. I have a master degree in finance from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. I’m married with two daughters, two and five. I swim and do Tai Chi, and I also enjoy travelling with my family to explore new experiences.

What do you like best about your job?

I joined the cargo family last summer as Manager Cargo Global Accounts & Marketing, looking after partnerships with global freight forwarders and overseeing cargo marketing and communications. This is a very exciting role for me.
I have found some commonality between passenger sales and cargo sales. Understanding customers’ needs and finding win-win solutions are key to any partnership.

What are the challenges and opportunities?

With more than 100 destinations in our network, they vary market by market, and this requires different approaches. When we work with global forwarders, one of the challenges/opportunities is how to effectively leverage on both sides’ needs and be able to respond to market changes. Last year ended with a very strong peak season. I hope that is a good indicator for 2017.

What’s next?

Following the launch of Madrid, Gatwick, Brisbane West Wellcamp and Portland last year, we’ve announced that we’re flying to Tel Aviv, Barcelona and Christchurch in 2017. Though they’re passenger services, we expect good cargo support from our customers.

One of the important initiatives that my team is working on is this year’s launch of a digitalised Cargo Clan. It plays an important role in promoting our brand, product and services, and by going digital we will have closer engagement with our customers – vital in such a fast-changing industry.