Kitchen renovation company Granite Transformations has announced Ita Buttrose as its brand ambassador for 2013.

This latest affiliation reaffirms the company’s enduring relationship with the renowned public figure, as Buttrose was the company’s brand ambassador back in 2003 and 2004.

For the next 12 months Buttrose will appear in all of Granite Transformations’ marketing materials, including its brochures, in-store posters and on it’s website, and she will be involved in a number of media engagements.

Colin Mackenzie, managing director, Granite Transformations told Franchising “we are having photographs of individual franchisees with Ita and we will make posters out of them and put them up in showrooms.

“We have made arrangements for Ita to do three media engagements with us, with the first one coming up later this month,” he said.

The event will see Buttrose team up with a celebrity chef as they chat about the brand and prepare a meal using a kitchen constructed by Granite Transformations.

He said an infomercial or television commercial could also be in the works.

“Back in 2003 with did an infomercial type video with Ita where she explained what it is that Granite Transformations does. We were considering doing one of those again because it was very successful, and we may do a television commercial.

“We certainly want to maximise our association with Ita,” he said.

Mackenzie said the company’s decision to use Buttrose as its brand ambassador was an easy one.

“We wanted to have someone who we thought was very recognisable, and someone who would relate with our main demongraphic, which is over 40s.

“Certainly In our business – because it is kitchen renovation work, it is often the lady of the house that makes the final decision so we thought someone like Ita would be perfect,” explained Mackenzie.

He said Ita is someone who almost anyone over 40, regardless of whether they are a man or woman, can relate to.

“She is someone that people really do recognise and admire, she is a real icon of Australia,” he said.

Buttrose said she is delighted to be involved with the brand again.

“My kitchen was one of the first to be installed by Granite Transformations, and 10 years on they are nearing their one millionth kitchen benchtop. I am proud to be endorsing Granite Transformations,” she said.

Buttrose’s duties as brand ambassador are effective immediately.