Telstra promotes Pollard to group executive of marketing and media

Telstra’s marketing and media leader, Joe Pollard, has been promoted to CMO and Group executive media as part of three group executive appointments.

Pollard joined Telstra and group managing director of media and marketing last November following the departure of former marketing chief, Mark Buckman. Under her new role, she will continue to lead all of the telco’s marketing and media functions including the chief marketing office.

Prior to joining Telstra, Pollard was CEO of Publicis Mojo. Her resume includes work in marketing, media and digital across Australia, the UK, Hong Kong, US and Japan with the likes of Nike, Nine Entertainment Co and ninemsn.

Alongside Pollard’s rise to the group executive, Telstra has appointed former group MD of consumers and acting group MD of products, Karsten Wildberger, as group executive of retail. That decision follows the departure of former retail head, Gordon Ballantyne last week.

Group MD of strategic finance and acting group executive for international, Cynthia Whelan, has also been promoted to group executive of international and new business. This role sees her driving new growth initiatives such as Telstra Health, Telstra Ventures, Smart Home Solutions and new premium services.

Telstra said responsibilities for strategic finance will remain with its CFO, Warwick Bray.

“Karsten, Cynthia and Joe are outstanding executives who have already made significant contributions to our growth ambitions and will take even larger roles in this new structure,” said Telstra CEO, Andrew Penn, adding that all bring significant international experience to their positions.

Penn took over as CEO from David Thodey in May.

“These positions reflect our commitment to improving consumer and product offers to customers through one laser-focused team, to elevate our media and marketing activities and align them across the business, and our continued focus on growth.”

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