Officeworks brings on executive-level marketing chief

Officeworks has brought on 7 Eleven’s brand and digital marketing leader as its new general manager of marketing.

Jess Richmond joins the Officeworks team in what’s been called a newly created executive-level role, reporting director to managing director, Sarah Hunter. The position encompasses advertising, brand and CRM.

Most recently, Richmond was head of brand and communications at 7 Eleven, with responsibility for advertising, marketing, category marketing, packaging, brand and digital. Prior to this, she was head of digital marketing at Coles, where she also previously held campaign planning, category marketing and local marketing manager roles.

Her resume also includes a marketing role with Boost Juice Bars and account director at M&C Saatchi. Richmond replaces Officeworks’ former national manager of marketing, Karl Winther, who left in December for the CMO role at Australia Post.

“It’s such an exciting time to join the business – our customers’ expectations and needs are changing faster than ever, against a backdrop of increasingly competitive environment,” Hunter said in a statement.

“Jess is an experienced retailer and marketing leaders who is hugely passionate about building on the strong foundation of the Officeworks brand to create a true connection with our customers. She will be instrumental in driving our marketing and brand forward.”

Richmond saw it as an exciting time to be in retail. “It’s a brilliant opportunity to help Officeworks continue its fantastic work on delivering a culture of customer-centric communications,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to building a deeper connection with our customers and exploring new ways to better understand and inspire them to make bigger things happen.”

In February, Officeworks' former advertising and communications manager, Simon Davenport, was appointed GM of marketing at the National Basketball League.

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