Rideshare service Ola appoints Andrew Balint as ANZ marketing boss
Former Amaysim CMO and commercial director Andrew Balint has joined rideshare service Ola to head its Australia and New Zealand marketing as the Indian-founded business ramps up its local operations.
Balint takes the role after former marketing director Natasha Daly stepped down last October.
Along with Amaysim, Balint has previously worked across telecommunications, media, aviation, fintech and e-commerce sectors in roles with Qantas, eBay, News Corp and Optus.
Speaking of the announcement, Balint said: “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity to join Ola.
“Digital is in my DNA and I plan to bring this passion to the company, along with my expertise in transformational marketing, to drive entrepreneurial thinking and embed the customer at the heart of every part of the business. I join a team of exceptional, driven professionals as we look to providing Australia’s best rideshare experience for both drivers and riders.”
Having launched in Perth last February, Ola now also operates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra, with New Zealand operations staring late last year.
Simon Smith, managing director, Ola Australia and New Zealand, said: “Securing Andrew’s appointment is a great win for Ola’s Australian and New Zealand business and a key element of building a stellar local leadership team.
“Having worked with Andrew in the past I know he’s capable of big things, and I am confident that he has the energy, experience, strategic thinking and customer-centric approach that will be critical in continuing to grow Ola across the two markets.”
Balint joins Camilla Smith, Ola’s HR director and Ann Tan, senior counsel, Ola’s ANZ leadership team, and will work with other recent hires including head of corporate affairs and communications Claire Robinson, product manager Akshay Gupta and strategic partnerships manager Ulysses Luther.
