It could  be  said that  the origins of  Mediatravel date back to 1992 when Danny Cahalan and Tim Murphy  formed an  integral part  of  the United Nations movement control unit in Phnom  Penh, Cambodia.  The operational  logistics,  in  a country  in turmoil,  required  solutions to problems that simply could not be anticipated in any other country.
This formed  the  basis and  work  ethic required  to provide  a  truly  professional  travel management team with the ability to think outside the square.

The opportunity for  Danny and Tim to establish  their own company finally arrived in 1999 when Mediatravel Pty Ltd  was inaugurated.  Since that time the reputation of Mediatravel has grown  through its  high service  levels  and abilities  to provide  solutions to complex travel.

Today Mediatravel provides travel management services to some of the most prestigious and high profile media companies within Australasia.

Mediatravel - Our Personnel

Danny Cahalan - Joint Managing Director

With a Bachelor Degree of Visual Arts and a Masters Degree of Tourism  Management, Danny entered the travel industry in the late 1980's. Initially working in and subsequently managing a successful  Sydney travel agency  specialising in South America and Africa for four years.

In 1993  he   joined  the United Nations  and  was  responsible  for   the handling  of  travel arrangements  for UN personnel and cargo in Cambodia, Mozambique, Kenya & Somalia. Danny was also responsible  for the rotation and repatriation of some 26,000 personnel to 156 countries on a nine month cycle. This was achieved utilising commercial carriers and chartered aircraft, up to and including Boeing 747's.

Danny  returned   to Australia  in 1995  to manage  the Travel Services division of Channel Nine,  part  of  the  largest  media  group  in   Australasia.   In 1997,  he  established  and managed   the  Australian  Consolidated  Press  implant  to   manage their Travel Services division.

In 1999, Danny saw the opportunity for a new and independent venture. Mediatravel commenced operations in that year.

Tim Murphy - Joint Managing Director

As a graduate   of  engineering  in Victoria,  Australia,  Tim  spent five years working in the airline &  travel  industry in  Europe,  the Middle East and  Africa.  In 1989  he  returned to Australia,  working initially with outbound tourism before returning to aviation. In 1990, Tim was appointed  as the  Manager of the GSA company, South Pacific Express. In this role Tim  was  responsible  for  the  sales   development  of  such  airlines  as  Emirates  & Air Zimbabwe amongst others.

In May of 1992,   Tim was  transferred to Phnom Penh as  the Manager, Cambodia, where the company held a contract with the United Nations to handle the travel arrangements of UN  personnel  and  cargo.    As  part   of   this  operation,  Tim  was  responsible  for  the representation of KLM  Royal Dutch Airlines,   Northwest Airlines and Lufthansa in Cambodia.

When the   United Nations  mission was  completed in Cambodia  at the end of 1994,  the contract concluded and Tim returned to Australia to the position of Business Development Manager,  Australia and New Zealand. In April of 1995,  he started a new and independent venture, Transglobal Aviation Pty. Ltd.  Transglobal Aviation held the aviation management contract for  Australia and New Zealand  with  the  government of Kuwait  and  its national carrier, Kuwait Airways. Tim sold Transglobal Aviation Pty Ltd in February of 2002 in order to concentrate his efforts on Mediatravel.

David Barnett - Technology, Administration

As a graduate of engineering in the United Kingdom and computer programming in Sydney, Australia, David has 16 years industry experience in various aspects of travel including Retail Travel, General Sales Agencies, Global Distribution Systems and specialising in travel industry software & administration.

David commenced his travel career working at the STA Travel head office in London. In 1989 David returned to Australia to provide system implimentation and running of the IT services for two Sydney based companies, South Pacific Express and the Africa Travel Centre. In the latter half of 1992,   David was responsible for the smooth setup and initial operation of the United Nations travel office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.     

After 2 months in Cambodia, David was seconded to the UTAG Travel Group, comprising of some 350 travel agencies Australiawide, (now Travelscene), as Network Manager, developing and maintaining the UNET travel system and internal network systems. Dubai then became David's home for one year where he managed an internet business development project, researching countries and business models for placement of an internet based business.

Kristy Williams - Consultant

Kristy joined the travel industry in 1994, selling retail travel in Newcastle, Australia for a 6 year period before travelling to London in 2000 to move into the corporate travel industry.  Two years in London saw Kristy working on corporate accounts in the music, advertising and financial sectors.  During this time, Kristy developed a passion for providing excellent service levels to these high end VIP clients.   "Nothing is ever a problem" became her corporate motto.

Kristy returned to Sydney, Australia in 2002 to continue her successful corporate travel career on some of the most prestigious corporate travel accounts in Australia.  Kristy was ranked #2 Australia-wide and #3 worldwide for customer service within her company in 2004.

Kristy loves to travel and experience new places and people.  She has travelled extensively throughout the east coast of Africa, Egypt & Turkey.

Nicola Smith - Consultant

With seven years of corporate travel experience, Nicola has been very successful in her various consulting roles before joining Mediatravel in June of 2003. A four year position as the Assistant Manager in a travel implant office servicing the challenging needs of Australia's largest media and entertainment network has given Nicola the background and ability to meet client needs above and beyond their expectations

When other people suggest that there is no solution to a particular problem, Nicola has proven time and again her expertise in looking outside the square in order to solve the problems and present alternatives.

This "Can Do" attitude has made a significant impact on many of our clients already and  Nicola has been an excellent addition to the Mediatravel team.

Nicola also brings with her a wealth of information on travel destinations worldwide with her own extensive travels throughout Europe, USA and Australasia.

Simon Quodling - Consultant

Simon started his travel career in 1998 and quickly moved into corporate travel. In 2001 Simon travelled in Asia for a year where he taught English in Bangkok for 9 months. 2002 saw Simon continue to gain valuable experience with some of Australia's largest corporate travel companies before joining Mediatravel in 2006.

Simon prides himself on excellent customer service, reliability and professionalism which gives clients the confidence they need.

Tina Mexas - Consultant

Melina Hayes - Consultant

Jack Anderton - Consultant