KCF Australia recruits former Suncorp CMO

KCF Australia has confirmed the appointment of former Suncorp marketer, Kristi Woolrych, as its new local chief marketing officer.

Woolrych has spent the past 16 years working for Suncorp Group, initially in communications then as a marketing manager in insurance, before rising up to executive manager of digital marketing. She then took on group marketing in 2015, and became CMO in March 2016, before leaving the financial services and insurance group in July this year.

Managing director of KFC South Pacific and its former chief marketing and development officer, Nikki Lawson, told CMO Woolrych is in the process of completing her restaurant training and will officially join the restaurant support centre next week.

“Joining the KFC SOPAC business is an extremely exciting opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to bringing my passion for marketing to the brand,” Woolrych told CMO in a statement.

“I’m inspired to be joining a marketing team that is rich in experience and who have been able to develop strategy which has seen KFC become a brand in culture. KFC is a fast-paced brand with a strong focus on innovation across people programs, food offerings, digital platforms and of course marketing activations.  I love also how KFC has a promise to its people that it will support them to be their best selves, make a difference and have fun, which I am looking forward to being a part of.”

Woolrych fills a gap in the executive team, becoming the first permanent CMO since the departure of Catherine Tan, last October to join Yum Brands’ head office in Dallas.

KFC’s acting CMO, Annabel Fribence, meanwhile, has been promoted to CMO for KCF Asia, based in Singapore.

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