Ex Publicis Mojo CEO Joe Pollard named as Telstra marketing chief
Former Publicis Mojo chief executive Joe Pollard has been named Telstra’s head of media and marketing.
The appointment, made internally this morning, will see Pollard step down from the board of Nine Entertainment Co.
She will join the telco on November 25 as group managing director media and marketing and will report to group executive Gordon Ballantyne.
Pollard joined Publicis as CEO in June 2012 and left in January for personal reasons. She also had a five-year spell at Ninemsn from 2006 to 2011, the last three as chief executive.
In a statement Telstra said Pollard’s “strategic digital credentials” will enhance its “already strong media and marketing capabilities”.
The telco added it was as “important time as we continue to develop our media business as a key growth opportunity and continue to grow the value of the Telstra brand”.
Prior to Ninemsn Pollard held the position of Nike Japan marketing director for two years after eight years as global director of media, digital and content.
Telstra has been searching for a new marketing chief since July following the resignation of Mark Buckman. It was widely thought the race was between two internal candidates, director of segment marketing Andy Bateman and director of corporate marketing Inese Kingsmill. But both have been overlooked.
Telstra previously said it was splitting Buckman’s role, with a head of media being recruited in addition to the key marketing position.
A spokesman told Mumbrella that while splitting the role had been the original intention, the company “has found someone in Joe Pollard” who is “more than capable” of overseeing both departments.
Steve Jones
Congratulations Joe! Great choice for that role.
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Congratulations Joe. That’s great news.
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Great hire Telstra!
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Congrats – Well Done
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Fantastic appointment!
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Having worked directly for Joe I can say that she is one of the best managers I have worked for in my long career. Congratulations Telstra on a great hire!
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Obviously a good marketing hire and great experience generally. But telstra has a string of big decisions ahead on the business side if they are really planning to be in media. Joe has taken on two big jobs. I hope for my money’s sake that she does one really well. Marketing with Telstras budget is a nil brainer.
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Top hire! Well done Telstra.
Congratulations Joe.
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Congratulations Joe! Great hire Telstra. She’s a rare marketer who “gets it”.
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Congratulations to Joe. I had the pleasure of working for her for a brief period of time – a lovely lady and top notch at what she does.
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Sounds like a good appointment however Telstra keeps saying it wants to be customer centric, yet the head of marketing will not report to the CEO. Who is responsible for the customer at the ELT level? Same old same old.
http://www.afr.com/p/business/.....I5xkDx1byO
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