ANZ Bank confirms new CMO as former marketer emerges at Coles Group

ANZ bank has confirmed head of consumer marketing, Carolyn Bendall, as its new group marketing chief.

The announcement came as the banking group’s former general manager of marketing, Karen Donaldson, re-emerges in her new role as general manager of loyalty and financial services marketing at Coles Group.

Donaldson resigned from the chief marketer’s post at ANZ in January after three years with the Australian banking giant. Bendall, who had been reporting directly to Donaldson, was chosen as the interim CMO last December, and will now assume the post permanently, effective immediately.

Throughout her career with ANZ, Bendall has held roles in institutional, corporate, commercial and retail market segments in both Australia and New Zealand with broad responsibility across a number of marketing disciplines.

An ANZ spokesman said no decision has yet been made on a permanent replacement as head of consumer marketing.

It is understood Donaldson started at the Coles Group this month. A Coles spokesperson sidestepped questions on her appointment, but confirmed the supermarket giant is expanding its financial services division.

“We are employing a number of highly experienced senior people at Coles to support our growing financial services business,” the spokesperson stated.

Prior to joining ANZ, Donaldson worked briefly as CMO and partner at Springboard Marketing, and also held several marketing positions within GE. Her resume also includes stints at Diners Club Australia as marketing director, and group product marketing manager at Rowntree Hoadley.

Coles Group also announced that its current managing director, Ian McLeod, will move to a senior role within the wider Wesfarmers Group from 1 July this year. He will be replaced at Coles by current chief operating officer, John Durkan.

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