Melina Cruickshank switches to top marketing job at REA Group from rival Domain
Real estate company Domain’s most senior marketer Melina Cruickshank has defected to direct rival REA Group.
Cruickshank’s departure comes days before Nine takes control of Fairfax Media, which owns 60% of Domain.
Cruickshank will be REA Group’s chief marketing and content officer, the same role she has been in at Domain for the last four years. She will report to CEO Tracey Fellows.
Cruickshank: Joining the market leader
She replaces chief marketing officer Kieren Cooney, who was announced as Foxtel’s new CMO in October. REA Group’s EGM of media and marketing Libby Minogue left in August.
Fellows said: “Melina was the standout candidate and I’m delighted she has agreed to join us. She is passionate about this sector and has a track record of success leading teams and growing product and content revenue streams in Australia and abroad. Melina will drive our global marketing and content strategy, working with our talented teams in Australia and around the globe.”
Majority ownership of Domain is about to shift to Nine
Cruickshank said: “It is difficult to leave Domain. I’ve enjoyed my time here and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. The transition offers a global role for the industry leader, and I’m excited about stepping up to lead teams at that level. I also have enormous respect for Tracey and the REA executive team and am excited to work with them.”
Fellows is herself due to step down as CEO but will remain on the REA Group board, while moving into a new global role as president of News Corp’s global real estate offering.
REA Group has hired Cruickshank
The move comes less than a fortnight after The SMH reported speculation that Cruikshank had been offered the REA Group role and declined.
Domain, which floated on the ASX in November last year, is a relative minnow compared to the News Corp aligned REA Group. Domain’s current market capitalisation is $1.4bn, compared to REA Group’s $10bn.
REA Group told Mumbrella it did not yet have a start date for Cruickshank. Given the competitive nature of the two property platforms, she may have to sit out a significant non-compete period.
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Loss for Domain. We’ll miss you Melina
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A very smart, talented and well respected leader. Congratulations Melina!
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Such a big loss for Domain! REA have done well to secure her.
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Huge opportunity on a global scale, all the best!
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Cruikshank or Cruickshank?
Come on Tim! 😉
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Good luck Shanks. We’ll all miss your spirit and outrageous observations.
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Massive! Shock…! What about the annual Manly skiff club
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She who had took risks and hated small talk. Avalon says thanks.
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That’s a massive loss for the green. Hopefully they pay to keep her out of market forever (sorry Shanks)
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Point taken… sorry! Sorted
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Huge loss for Domain. Risk taker and always one step ahead of the game.
Honoured to have worked with you, have learnt so much. Exciting times for you ahead Shanks!
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Can’t beat em. Join em.
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Such a big loss for Domain! REA have done well.
Good Luck Melina!
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Coup to the RED team. Domain will miss the ideas and energy. Congratulations Melina. I will miss your banter with our CFO.
We will continue competing !!!!!!!!!
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That’s a coup. Strategic precision Tracey Fellows and realestate team. Reason they are number 1.
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Domain will be losing a limb. Masterstroke by REA. This might be the beginning of a brain drain from Domain.
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People in red should be warned that Melina is a regular and notorious smoke bomber. Hopeless.
Good luck Shanks!
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An unbelievable loss for Domain. Melina is a truly inspiring, bold and adored leader. Congratulations Melina on this exciting move to a global role, Tracey is very lucky to have you now on her team.
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Two dinosaurs arguing about who’s larger while the (even bigger) meteor is coming crashing towards them.
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Dreadful shame – phenomenal leader and visionary!
The first victim of the new ‘Nine’?
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Melina has crafted strong relationships with Nine and Domain. We’ll miss the opportunity to work with you Melina. We should have bribed you with more Prosecco! All the best.
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Big loss for Domain but so fantastic and much deserved for Melina. You go girl!!
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Starting a countdown to non-compete proceedings.
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Indeed, who drafted her contract?
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Fantastic coup by REA. Congratulations Melina!
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