CMO moves: AGL hunts for new marketing leader, Jetstar’s gets promoted to customer chief, Polycom appoints APAC CMO

AGL has confirmed a search in underway for a new marketing chief following the departure of its general manager of marketing and retail.

The energy giant has confirmed Mark Brownfield, who was general manager of marketing and retail customers for the past year, has left the business to pursue other interests.

Brownfield had been with AGL for more than eight years, holding a number of general manager roles including GM of business customers, GM of retail sales and distribution, and GM of marketing and retail sales.

A company representative told CMO Brownfield had already left the organisation and a search is currently underway for his replacement.

Jetstar gets new CMO

Jetstar also has a new CMO and is looking to redouble its efforts around data and digital.

The budget airline group has appointed Target’s former marketing director, Phil Wade, as its new CMO from 1 July.

Wade left Target last year to join the Qantas Group and run the hotels platform for Qantas and Jetstar, Hooroo. He takes over the CMO’s post from Liz McCarthy, who will now head up Jetstar’s group customer care and share services functions across Asia-Pacific.

Prior to joining Target for 18 months, Wade built a career in senior marketing and ecommerce roles with the likes of UK retail giant, TJX, as well as Unilever.

In a statement, Jetstar’s chief commercial officer, Catriona Larritt, said Wade’s pedigree in marketing and ecommerce were key reasons for his appointment.

“Under Phil’s leadership, we’ll redouble our focus on data and digital,” she said. “ We’re working to become one of the great travel retailers in the region and Phil’s appointment will help us get there.”

Polycom appoints Sydney-based marketing chief

Collaboration technology vendor, Polycom, has also gained a Sydney-based Asia-Pacific senior director of marketing. Gabrielle Cichero joins from security vendor, FireEye, where she was head of marketing for APJ covering partner marketing, digital and Web marketing and executive programs.

Prior to that, Cichero was at HP, where she spent seven years undertaking multiple roles including senior direct of marketing for Asia-Pacific. She also worked for Mercury Interactive in various marketing roles for nine years prior to it being acquired by HP in 2006.

Cichero is tasked with establishing the company’s marketing strategy for APJ, primarily focusing on sales alignment and leading key field marketing initiatives.

“Polycom has amazing opportunity in Asia-Pacific to improve business productivity, social equity and communication through the power of collaboration,” Cichero said. “The impact of true collaboration is incredible – when every meeting is more productive, every product cycle shorter, and every customer connection more intimate, distances disappear. The positive effects are not only reflected on the bottom line, but also in people’s lives. I am excited to join the team and look forward to delivering winning marketing strategies for the region.”

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