Piyahatai “Ann” Autchayawat, Founder and Managing Director of The MarCom Pro, shares her inspiring journey from a hotel software specialist to the founder of one of Thailand’s leading PR and marketing communications agencies—driven by vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
A highly capable professional with a clear strategic mindset, Ann transformed her career path from the IT field into senior hotel management before establishing The MarCom Pro Co., Ltd., a marketing and communications agency that has achieved remarkable success today. Her story continues to inspire many through her determination, perseverance, and courage to step outside her comfort zone to create new possibilities.
An Unconventional Beginning: From Computer Science to Hotel Operations Software
Holding a degree in Computer Science from the United States, Ann began her career as a hotel software system administrator, a role she held for six years. During this time, she worked with Fidelio, a German-based hotel software developer, serving as Product Manager responsible for Sales & Catering systems.
This role allowed her to work closely with leading five-star hotels, providing her with in-depth exposure to luxury hotel operations—an experience that later became the foundation of her long-term career in the hospitality industry.
Entering the Hotel Industry: Determination Without Limits
Although Ann had always aspired to work directly in hotels, upon returning from the U.S. she found no available IT positions within hotels. She initially accepted a secretarial role, which did not align with her interests, and eventually decided to leave. She then joined Fidelio, where she spent six years building strong technical and industry expertise.
A pivotal turning point came when Shangri-La Hotel invited her to join as Director of Marketing Services, marking her formal entry into hotel management. She oversaw the hotel’s loyalty programme while continuing to support the Fidelio system, which Shangri-La also used.
Known for going beyond her job scope, Ann initiated additional projects such as exclusive events for loyalty members and partnerships with department stores to offer special privileges. While not part of her formal responsibilities, these initiatives demonstrated her drive and capability, earning recognition from senior management.
Diverse Leadership Roles in Leading Hotels: A Pioneer by Nature
Soon after, Ann was recruited by Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit as Director of Marketing Communications (MarCom)—a field in which she had no formal background. With confidence and strong support from management, she taught herself everything from scratch, relying heavily on books, as online resources were limited at the time.
She devoted her first six months to intensive learning, familiarising herself with the hotel and building strong relationships with the media. Ann firmly believes that hard work is essential for success, and she does not subscribe to a rigid concept of work-life balance during periods that demand exceptional results. During her tenure, the hotel launched several major projects, most notably The Living Room jazz bar, which became a signature venue and significantly elevated the hotel’s reputation.
After nearly four years, Ann moved to Royal Orchid Sheraton in the same MarCom role. Three years later, she achieved another milestone by becoming Director of Sales & Marketing at Sheraton Pattaya (now InterContinental Pattaya). This was a groundbreaking step, as no one from a MarCom background had previously transitioned into this role. Despite having no prior sales experience, Ann adapted quickly. She believes that sales are embedded in every aspect of life—just as PR requires “selling” a compelling story.
Driven by her dislike for routine, Ann consistently sought new challenges every three years. One of her most demanding roles was Director of Rooms at The Athenee, a Luxury Collection Hotel, where she managed a department of over 80 staff members. Despite lacking an operations background, her open-minded leadership and clear communication earned the trust and respect of her team.
The Entrepreneurial Leap: Founding The MarCom Pro
Working 12–14 hours a day with little personal or family time led Ann to reassess her career path. Seeking a better balance and greater independence, she founded The MarCom Pro in 2014, leveraging her extensive industry knowledge and professional network.
The company began with no clients. However, her first accounts soon came through long-standing relationships within the hotel industry. Ann accepted all projects—large and small—to build credibility and create opportunities for growth.
The Key to Success: Know-How and Flexibility
Over the past decade, The MarCom Pro has grown steadily through word-of-mouth and strong industry connections. While serving clients of varying scales, Ann treats every client with equal importance. She attributes the company’s continued success to three core strengths:
• Know-how: Her extensive experience across multiple hotel functions allows her to deeply understand clients’ businesses and provide practical, well-targeted advice.
• Flexibility: If an action benefits the client—even if it falls outside the agreed scope—The MarCom Pro is always willing to step in and deliver.
• Connections and Influencers: Ann maintains strong, organic relationships with media professionals and influencers, enabling clients to gain meaningful exposure and long-term value.
Adapting to the Digital Era and Looking Ahead
Ann acknowledges that adapting to the digital era has been challenging, as traditional media coverage has become more limited and influencers now play a significant role. However, she successfully navigated this transition, and her clients understand that achieving effective PR results today often requires dedicated budgets and strategic investment.
With a clear vision and unwavering commitment, Ann Piyahatai Autchayawat continues to lead The MarCom Pro forward—proving that adaptability, expertise, and genuine relationships remain at the heart of sustainable success in the PR industry.
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(Translated by The MarCom Pro)