Koala marketing and technology boss Peter Sloterdyk departs as the business removes CMO role
Koala has parted ways with chief marketing and technology officer Peter Sloterdyk just 16 months after he was appointed to the role.
Sloterdyk was the first CMO for the mattress company, having previously led the marketing function at Netflix and Grindr, and had planned to move from his LA base to Sydney. He was also tasked with the CTO role as well.
A spokesperson from Koala revealed that ongoing travel restrictions had played into the decision, which was made mutually between the two parties. Sloterdyk, who was largely based in Denver, Colorado, but intended to move to Australia, has worked remotely since beginning his role last year.
“Peter Sloterdyk and Koala have parted ways on mutual terms after the ongoing situation with COVID continued to delay his relocation to Australia,” the spokesperson said.
Koala will not be replacing Sloterdyk with another chief marketing officer. Instead, the role to be absorbed by a new chief commercial officer. The search has already begun to full that role.
“We have recently moved to align our strategy closely with ongoing expansion, Koala is now looking for someone who will be able to fill the chief commercial officer role to lead the company’s growth from Australia outwards.”
The spokesperson also said Koala continues to support remote working for its employees.
Koala was hiring for a ‘Head of Marketing, Australia’ role as recently as July, however the job link is no longer live.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Sloterdyk appeared to hint as to his forthcoming departure. Earlier this morning he confirmed his departure, writing: “Over the last 16 months, I have had the extreme privilege of leading a team of amazing individuals across multiple countries in APAC.
“I joined Koala at the very beginning of the pandemic and disappointingly, was never able to relocate to Sydney as planned.
“While I am so very sad to leave my role, I am so excited to continue supporting, helping, and celebrating Koala from across the ocean as a lifelong advocate as they continue to grow and scale a truly impressive business.
“Thank you to every single member of the Koala family for making me feel so very close, even though I was a few thousand miles away. I am so insanely grateful for all of you!
“I look forward to sharing the exciting challenge I’m taking on next, but for now I am thrilled to celebrate all that my remarkable team and I accomplished together at Koala. I will always be in your corner!”
Mumbrella understands Sloterdyk has already secured a new role.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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