Coles has appointed Samantha McLeod as general manager brand, digital and design.
McLeod joins Coles following a highly successful 20-year career working in creative agencies leading campaigns including the Tesco account for UK agency BBH, where she oversaw the brand’s turnaround to a position of trust. McLeod steered Tesco’s COVID communication response, winning the prestigious IPA Effectiveness Awards Grand Prix for the agency’s work for its five-year brand turnaround story. Prior to BBH, Sam led accounts with major agencies including Mother, Lowe, M&C Saatchi, and George Patterson Y&R.
McLeod will be report to Coles’ chief marketing officer Lisa Ronson and accountable for delivering a unified brand and digital marketing strategy for Coles, and help the business achieve its vision to become the most trusted retailer in Australia and grow long-term shareholder value.
Ronson said McLeod’s appointment will help drive Coles’ strategy of creating trusted value for its customers and helping Australians lead healthier, happier lives.
“I am very excited for Sam to join Coles. She has a real passion for leadership and building positive team cultures; I know she will be a fantastic cultural fit at Coles and can’t wait to make a difference with the dedicated team we have,” Ronson said.
McLeod will commence her role in September and is looking forward to returning home from London where she has been working for the past 10 years.
“I love working on retail brands, I love the pace, the dynamism of responding to ever-changing market needs, the tangibility of the offering, and after 2020 I particularly love working on brands that can make a real difference in customers’ lives,” McLeod said.
“Coles is such an iconic Australian brand and really stepped up to genuinely help Australians last year from the fires through to COVID. I couldn’t think of a better role, brand or team to work with on my return home.”
