Greek-Australian Honored as Australia’s Marketer of the Year

Greek-Australian Demetri Hughes has celebrated more than one professional accomplishment in recent years. Now he has one more distinction to add to the list.

Already recognized as a marketing expert in his accomplished career, Hughes is the managing director of 1Up Communications, a firm which offers consultation to both CEOs and corporate boards regarding business creation.

Hughes has, in the past, been awarded a 2017 Lifetime Member award from the AMI National Board as well as the peer-nominated 2016 Certified Practising Marketer of the Year for the State of Queensland. He has now been recognized as the 2018 Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) Certified Practising Marketer of the Year for the state of Queensland.

With over 200 organizations from all over Australia completing to win the prestigious AMI honor, Hughes has reason to be proud.

“AMI membership shows that professionals are willing to be held to account and consistently strive to deliver best practice,” he said to greekcitytimes.com.

Hughes also stated that he is proud of his Greek heritage.

“My Greek ancestral roots are a deep source of pride for me and my family, just like it is for many Greeks, irrespective of whether they were born in Australia or over in Greece,” said Hughes.

“You could say being half Greek and born into a Greek household had its subtle differences from a traditional Aussie household and had its elements of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding!'” he added.

He also had a great inspiration in his late grandfather, Papou Demetri, that continues to propel him to greater achievements today.

“Whilst Papou Demetri may have had a thick accent and spoke with broken English, he overcame challenges through his strength of personality and likeability,” Hughes explained, adding, “Pappou Demetri is my founding example for what it is to be a businessman who can be ambitious yet motivated for success for the right reasons.”

“He came to Australia with absolutely nothing and as the patriarch of our family showed what it is to be hardworking and a business owner. His down to earth nature resulted in him commanding respect from all those around. Today, many people attempt to simply command respect before they have earned it,” said Hughes.