Katrina Allen
Hall of Fame Alumni
De Jour Sanitary Products
- Art Director
About Me - My Biography
Katrina Allen obtained her degree in Graphic Design at Swinburne in 1984. She then spent 10 years working as an Art Director at Y&R Melbourne, George Patterson Bates Melbourne and lastly at M&C Saatchi in Sydney. During her career she was responsible for using Seinfield’s Kramer character in the Vodafone commercials as well as working for brands such as CUB, Qantas, Nintendo and Witchery.
In October 1998, she decided to leave her 10-year career to take on the multinationals, Johnson & Johnson and Sancella, to launch her own range of tampons into the $85 million dollar Australian market. Using her creative flair and marketing knowledge, she designed a product that was more relevant to today’s woman. The result was “De jour” tampons, which come in discreet zip lock bags. After initiating its debate, Katrina also campaigned to have the GST removed from sanitary products.
Since then, Katrina has developed several other successful businesses including Budons™, a range of children’s stationery. Budons™ is distributed through WH Smith in the UK and can also be found in various store outlets in Australia and New Zealand. Budons™ is a new concept in kids’ stationery that appeals to kids because of the funky cool range of characters they can clip on and off their pencil case, back pack, diary etc. The unique Budons™ locking system allows characters to be popped on and off as quickly as you change your mood.
She is also the co-founder and creator of a new service called Social Callout.com. With a background in the advertising industry, Katrina is passionate about creating a portal that allows bloggers and social media publishers to connect with brands. Social Callout helps bloggers and social media influencers connect more easily with brands and businesses. Brands post targeted callouts to engage with social media influencers and if they find the callout appealing, they can connect directly with the brand/business.
Her Story
Katrina Allen obtained her degree in Graphic Design at Swinburne in 1984. She then spent 10 years working as an Art Director at Y&R Melbourne, George Patterson Bates Melbourne and lastly at M&C Saatchi in Sydney. During her career she was responsible for using Seinfield’s Kramer character in the Vodafone commercials as well as working for brands such as CUB, Qantas, Nintendo and Witchery.
In October 1998, she decided to leave her 10-year career to take on the multinationals, Johnson & Johnson and Sancella, to launch her own range of tampons into the $85 million dollar Australian market. Using her creative flair and marketing knowledge, she designed a product that was more relevant to today’s woman. The result was “De jour” tampons which come in discreet zip lock bags. After initiating its debate, Katrina also campaigned to have the GST removed from sanitary products.
Since then Katrina has developed several other successful businesses including Budons™, a range of children’s stationery. Budons™ is distributed through WH Smith in the UK and can also be found in various store outlets in Australia and New Zealand. Budons™, is a new concept in kids’ stationery that appeals to kids because of the funky cool range of characters they can clip on and off their pencil case, back pack, diary etc. The unique Budons™ locking system allows characters to be popped on and off as quickly as you change your mood.
She is also the co-founder and creator of a new service called Social Callout.com. With a background in the advertising industry, Katrina is passionate about creating a portal that allows bloggers and social media publishers to connect with brands. Social Callout helps bloggers and social media influencers connect more easily with brands and businesses. Brands post targeted callouts to engage with social media influencers and if they find the callout appealing, they can connect directly with the brand/business.
Strategies for Success
1. If you can dream it you can do it – Walt Disney
2. You’ve got to love your own company, because when you start a business, you spend a lot of time with yourself.
3. Expect the unexpected – opportunities exist everywhere.
4. A successful business is not about luck but hard work.
5. If you don’t have a good idea, forget it.
6. Remember, if starting a small business was easy, everyone would do it.
