Paul Bacanu, Founder and Managing Director of Pilot Marketing
Paul Bacanu is a marketer, builder and trainer based on the Gold Coast. He has spent 14+ years in partner, channel and digital marketing across Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and globally, working for global technology companies and running his own consultancy, Pilot Marketing. Today he combines that marketing experience with hands-on AI, web and martech delivery.
The short story
Paul Bacanu built his first websites in high school in the early 2000s. He was already designing graphics in Photoshop and Illustrator for the events, radio shows and clubs he managed as a DJ and MC in Romania and New Zealand. While at university he managed retail stores in New Zealand and Australia, where he learned sales, customer service and how to lead a team.
In 2012 Paul Bacanu moved into marketing with a Sydney-based agency. Two years later, in 2014, he founded Pilot Marketing to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses, local bricks-and-mortar companies go digital, and established businesses grow and expand internationally. Since then he has helped dozens of companies grow, build their brands and transform digitally, first through digital marketing and now through ethical AI implementation.
Experience
- Pilot Marketing, Founder and Managing Director (Feb 2014 to present): client go-to-market strategies, websites, HubSpot, Google Ads, GA4 and Google Tag Manager implementation, and email, social, content and webinar campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Dubai.
- TEDU Learning, Vice President of Partnership Marketing (Oct 2025 to present): built and launched the global channel marketing, partner recruitment and enablement program from the ground up, including AI-driven marketing programs.
- Instructure, Senior Global Channel Marketing Manager (Feb 2022 to Jan 2025): built the global partner marketing program, partner training courses in Canvas LMS and an award-winning partner program.
- Curious Thing AI, Global Head of Marketing (Feb 2021 to Aug 2021): website relaunch, HubSpot workflows, email automation and the launch of a second AI product for an Australian voice AI company.
- Dropbox & HelloSign, Channel Marketing Manager APAC (May 2019 to Feb 2021): designed the ANZ then APAC channel marketing strategy and launched HelloSign in the region. Top Achiever 2019 and Top Team Player 2020 awards.
- Autodesk, Marketing Manager ANZ (Sep 2018 to Mar 2019): quarterly ANZ marketing plans, HubSpot nurture programs and channel marketing.
- Dell EMC, Marketing Manager ANZ (Jan 2017 to July 2018): ABM, digital campaigns, events and marketing automation across Australia and New Zealand.
- Perspective Promotions, Sales & Marketing Consultant (Dec 2012 to Feb 2014): client go-to-market and social media strategies and marketing campaigns.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business, Marketing, Charles Sturt University
- TAFE NSW Diploma / Advanced Diploma in Marketing
- TAFE Queensland (2025) Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment
- Blue Card holder for paid teaching and working with children
Certifications (2026)
Paul Bacanu keeps his skills current. These are the certifications he completed in 2026.
Google AI Professional Certificate
Google AI Essentials
Google Analytics (GA4) Certified
Anthropic Academy, 16 certificates
HubSpot Academy certified
6sense Next Gen Marketing
Asana Workflow Specialist
Replit Verified Builder
The full list, grouped by provider, sits below the logos.
Anthropic
- Claude 101
- Claude Code 101
- Claude Code in Action
- Claude with the Anthropic API
- Introduction to Model Context Protocol
- Model Context Protocol: Advanced Topics
- Introduction to Agent Skills
- Introduction to Subagents
- Introduction to Claude Cowork
- AI Fluency: Framework and Foundations
- AI Fluency: AI Capabilities and Limitations
- Teaching the AI Fluency Framework
- AI Fluency for Educators
- AI Fluency for Students
- AI Fluency for Nonprofits
- AI Fluency for Small Businesses
- Google AI Professional Certificate
- Google AI Essentials
- Google Analytics (GA4) Certification
- AI Fundamentals
- Introduction to AI
- AI for Brainstorming and Planning
- AI for Research and Insights
- AI for Writing and Communicating
- AI for Content Creation
- AI for Data Analysis
- Discover the Art of Prompting
- Use AI Responsibly
- Maximize Productivity with AI Tools
- Stay Ahead of the AI Curve
Marketing technology and development
- HubSpot: Email Hub, Sales Hub, Content Hub, Social Media I and II Certifications
- 6sense: Next Gen Marketing Certification
- Asana: Workflow Specialist Certification
- Replit: Verified Builder Courses and Certifications
- Claude Code: The Practical Guide (Udemy, Academind)
Full list of certifications: LinkedIn
Tools Paul Bacanu works with
Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Replit, Zapier, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Salesforce, Marketo, Eloqua, 6sense, Asana, GA4, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads and Search Console.
Languages
English, Romanian, German and Spanish.
Outside work
Paul Bacanu has been a Rotarian since 2013, helping run community fundraisers in Sydney and on the Gold Coast, and is a founding director of the Australian Romanian Commerce Chamber (AUSROCC).
Channel Pilot
Paul Bacanu also runs Channel Pilot, a consultancy that helps technology companies build partner and reseller channels.
Connect
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulbacanu
- Email: paul.b@pilotmarketing.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Who is Paul Bacanu?
Paul Bacanu is the Founder and Managing Director of Pilot Marketing, a marketing, AI and web consultancy he founded in Sydney in 2014 and now runs from the Gold Coast, Queensland. He has 14+ years of experience in partner, channel and digital marketing with Instructure, Dropbox, Autodesk, Dell EMC, Curious Thing AI and TEDU Learning.
What does Paul Bacanu specialise in?
Paul Bacanu specialises in AI implementation for marketing and business, website and app development, Google Ads, SEO and AEO, martech implementation with HubSpot and ActiveCampaign, B2B campaigns and strategy, and course production and training.
Is Paul Bacanu the founder of Channel Pilot?
Yes. Paul Bacanu also runs Channel Pilot, a consultancy that helps technology companies build partner and reseller channels.
How can I contact Paul Bacanu?
Email paul.b@pilotmarketing.com.au, call 0450 698 690, or book a free 30-minute consultation through the contact page.
Want to work with Paul Bacanu?
Book a free 30-minute consultation.