Taylor to exit Heart Foundation, hints at new role in financial services

Chris Taylor has confirmed his departure from the National Heart Foundation after nearly three years as its first national chief marketing officer.

Taylor joined the not-for-profit to help transform a decentralised, state-based approach to marketing and go-to-market activity into a national best-practice modern marketing tSaving hearts and capturing minds: Heart Foundation CMO on his purpose-driven marketing planeam.

In a statement, Taylor said he was proud of the work done at the Heart Foundation and results his team had changed. It’s work that saw Taylor recognised as one of Australia’s top 25 marketers in both the CMO50 2019 and CMO50 2020.

However, Taylor said it was time to pursue fresh professional opportunities. He flagged an announcement about a move into the financial services, payments and fintech space in coming weeks.

“I am sorry to leave behind one of the best marketing teams in the country whose passion, dedication and experience have led us to achieve some amazing results. Not only did we support each other as a team, but we were able to have fun along the way,” Taylor commented.

“I leave behind some lifelong professional and personal relationships and couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them. But for me, like for most of us, 2020 has been a time of true reflection, and I am ready for the next challenge in life and my career.”

Heart Foundation Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John Kelly, said Taylor played an incredibly important transitional role at the Heart Foundation during what had been an extensive period of transformational change.

Among his achievements, Kelly said the most powerful was spearheading the multi-award winning ‘Serial Killer’ campaign, which achieved outstanding results and was arguably the most successful campaign in the organisation's 60-year history. Taylor also helped spearhead recognition of the Heart Foundation in the World’s Most Effective Brands in the 2020 Global Effie Index, and fostered a raft of other commercial and media relationships with the likes of News Corp, Channel 7 and Coles.

Read more: Saving hearts and capturing minds: Heart Foundation CMO on his purpose-driven marketing plan

“Chris’ enthusiasm, professionalism and strategic thinking helped us to focus and develop impactful outcomes that helped move us closer to achieving our vision of an Australia free of heart disease,” Kelly said. “Chris was a critical hire as our first CMO. He leaves a true legacy behind at the organisation with our activities much more effective as a result of his tenure. We are very sorry to see Chris go but understand that, for him, the time was right.”

A replacement for Taylor at the Foundation has not been confirmed.

Prior to joining the Heart Foundation, Taylor spent several years with Woolworths. Most recently, he was head of marketing for the WooliesX business, but also spent two years as head of services marketing and two years as head of product marketing. His resume also included senior marketing roles with Goodman, VISA and Mastercard.

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