Tabcorp seeking new CMO as Mike Smith departs in build up to Melbourne Cup
Smith
Tabcorp is on the hunt for a new chief marketing officer with the surprise departure of Michael Smith after just 10 months.
Smith confirmed to Mumbrella he had left TabCorp saying it had “not been the right fit”, with his departure coming a week before one of the biggest days of the year for betting firms with the Melbourne Cup.
The Former Optus and Singtel marketing boss joined the betting giant in January after a long career with the telco.
During his time with Optus and then Singtel, Smith rose from consumer marketing director to chief marketing officer and then managing director consumer.
He then transferred to Singapore to take on the role of chief commercial officer, group digital life, returning to Australia last year for personal reasons.
Announcing his appointment to TabCorp he told Mumbrella it was a “new opportunity”.
Smith’s arrival was quickly followed by the launch of TabCorp’s Group 1 racing season and AFL and NRL season ads.
In recent months the war between betting firms has been heating up with William Hill launching ads mocking TAB’s methods.
A spokesperson for TabCorp confirmed Smith had resigned and that Claire Murphy, general manager of Keno and gaming had added the interim CMO role to her duties.
“We are currently assessing what we will be doing for that role,” the spokesperson said.
He said the departure of Smith would not have any impact on marketing over the Melbourne Cup period, which includes TabCorps biggest day of the year.
“We are rolling through the carnival as we speak,” he said.
In August the company reappointed OMD as its media agency.
Elsewhere, Scentre Group, operator of Westfield Shopping Centres, has confirmed Andy Hedges its director of operations, has resigned.
Hedges oversaw the operations of Westfield’s centres across Australia working closely with Scentre’s marketing head John Batistich to develop Westfield’s retail experience.
Simon Canning
