Seek corporate affairs leader takes marketing reins at Aussie software firm

Seek’s former marketing and corporate affairs director is joining point-of-sale software provider, Vend, as its first director of marketing.

Sarah Macartney has spent the last eight years with Seek, starting in trade and public relations before rising to corporate communications manager and then head of corporate affairs. It was a position that saw her lead corporate comms for mergers and acquisitions, and advising Seek’s investment team of early-stage investments in marketing and communications.

Prior to this, she held a marketing and communication role with workplace benefits program provider, Maxxia, and has also worked in brand strategy.

At Vend, Macartney will be responsible for global brand and communications efforts, and reports directly into founder, Vaughan Fergusson. On the priority list are helping build momentum for Vend’s offering in the US, UK and Australia, as well as driving marketing efforts to take the product into the mid-market and key industry verticals such as fashion apparel, sporting goods and homewares.

Macartney is also tasked with overseeing strategic partnerships and co-marketing initiatives with Afterpay, Xero, Tyro and others, another key channel for the business.

Macartney said she was excited about the opportunity to help Vend’s next phase of growth.

“Working alongside highly motivated and talented people with a market-leading proposition is a really exciting opportunity,” she commented. “The independent retail sector is such an important contributor to creating the bustling high streets we all love to shop in and I can’t wait to see Australia’s retailers adapt and thrive.”

Fergusson said Macartney was joining at a crucial stage for the business. “We’re looking to double down on growth in our key markets – US, UK and Australia – and cement our position as the vendor of choice for retailers looking for cloud-based retail solutions to grow their business,” he said.

“It’s not only a crucial time for the business, but a crucial time for the industry, too, as retailers adapt to the new retail spring. Sarah’s appointment enhances our ability to support these retailers so they can focus on doing the important things as they adapt to the post-COVID retail environment.”

The 10-year old Vend business provides cloud-based retail management software. Among its 25,000 store users are Disney, Jurlique, Ecco and Sennheiser.

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