Qantas Promotes Olivia Wirth To Be Its New Loyalty CEO
Aussie airline Qantas has announced the appointment of Olivia Wirth as the new CEO of its loyalty business.
The change follows the resignation of current loyalty CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, who announced her departure from Qantas in December last year.
Wirth has been with the airline for nine years, spending most of that time as a member of its management committee and with responsibility for branding, marketing and corporate affairs. She is currently Qantas’ chief customer officer.
Following on from this change, Vanessa Hudson will take on the role of chief customer officer, joining Qantas’ group management committee and reporting to CEO Alan Joyce.
Hudson joined Qantas in 1994 and is currently the executive manager of sales and distribution.
Joyce said the moves, which take effect from 12 February 2018, reflect the best use of the executive talent within the Qantas Group.
“At the senior executive level, we have a number of very high-calibre individuals who have a deep understanding of our business, and Olivia and Vanessa are two standout examples of that,” he said.
“Olivia has been on the group management committee for eight years and has very successfully led the Qantas brand, including managing the marketing function for Frequent Flyer, as part of her portfolio.
“It’s a business she understands well and that will benefit from her strong customer analytics and marketing experience as this part of our portfolio keeps expanding.
“Vanessa has led many key customer improvements over her 23 years at Qantas, including the introduction of Neil Perry and Rockpool into our in-flight dining and the complete re-design of our domestic check-in experience.
“Combined with her understanding of our network and fleet, Vanessa will lead the many initiatives happening across the group to keep improving the experience for our customers.”
Qantas’ chief customer officer portfolio will retain responsibility for group marketing, while the corporate affairs function will move under the group executive of people and culture with a dotted line to Joyce.
Latest News
Would TikTok Be Missed?
In this opinion piece, Alpha Digital’s head of performance Amir Rezaee outlines the impact to brands of a potential banning of TikTok in Australia The six weeks or so since TikTok announced its local Australian office has been a busy period. Aiming to make a similar impression on SMBs as it has on its 1.6m […]
NextMedia’s frankie And Gardening Australia Magazines Report “Surge In Sales”
Amid the sadness of magazine closures, the challenges of COVID-19, and industry concern as companies merge or change hands, some magazines are thriving. NextMedia titles such as the much-loved frankie and ABC Gardening Australia magazine have been enjoying a surge in sales during this period of home isolation. Gardening Australia retail sales have been robust […]
Mag Closures & The New Landscape For Earned Media
In this guest post, MINT’s publicity director, Nathan McIlroy (pictured below), explores the new norm for Australian media and says Bauer’s/Mercury Capital’s recent mag closures should be viewed as an exciting opportunity for the brave… Last week’s announcement that new owners Mercury Capital were to permanently close eight of Bauer Media’s magazines sent shockwaves through […]
“Worst Year In Living Memory!” Aussie Ad Spends Plummet 14.7% In 2019/20
As expected, 2019/20 ad spends make for very difficult reading indeed. Even more so if you've forgotten your glasses.
Jamie Whincup And A Host Of Aussie Personalities Star In Club Marine Series
In a first for the Australian insurance market, Club Marine, Australia’s largest provider of boat and pleasure-craft insurance, has released a new series of videos to help explain insurance cover. With a few familiar Aussie personalities to help out, Club Marine is helping its members, as well as the broader boating community, to understand the […]
Ultimate Edge Communications Welcomes Michaela Fulop Back As Client Success Manager
Sydney, July 31st, 2020: Sydney-based media marketing consultancy Ultimate Edge Communications (UEC) announces a new hire in the company’s media team; Michaela Fulop returns to fill the vacant role of Client Success Manager, to be the go-to person across the full client roster.
No Change At The Top! Initiative Remains Top Performing Media Agency For June
June's new business wins is pretty much the same as May's, just with a few less factual inaccuracies this time around.
DDB Still Top Dog For New Business Wins For June
DDB still top agency for new business wins. Sadly, has postponed celebratory rooftop effigy burning due to high winds.
Australian Advertising Students To Compete In Advertising Capstone Challenge
Ad grads set to compete in the Capstone Challenge. Which sadly doesn't appear to include a hotdog eating component.
Harold Mitchell Wins Legal Battle Over Australian Open TV Deal
Harold Mitchell wins his battle with ASIC. Which is top news for the lucky restaurant in which he chose to celebrate.
KitKat Partners With R U OK?
No one enjoys a chocolate finger for morning tea like the B&T office. On other occasions we might even have a KitKat.
Microsoft Lays Out Plan To Acquire TikTok In The US And Australia
The Microsoft exec team are working on their dance moves ahead of this bumper acquisition.
Sunday TV Wrap: Ninja Swings The Night Nine’s Way
As a plus, Ninja Warrior affords B&T the wonderful opportunity of upping our quota of gym-hardened hotties photos.
Mark Read Admits “Huge Amount Of Work To Do” As WPP Reveals Diversity Workforce Numbers
WPP's workforce diversity numbers make for a very sobering read. Unless, you're already pissed, of course.
ABC Comic Unveils Riotous “The Ballad Of Bunnings Karen”
B&T admits it's a difficult time to be a Karen. However, spare a thought for the Adolfs, the Lucifers or the Mike Hunts.
“There’s A Lot Of Uncertainty!” Roxy Reveals How CV-19 & Bauer’s Mag Closures Have Wreaked A PR Apocalypse
In harrowing news for marquee hire, Moët sales & scallops served on spoons, Roxy says the PR biz is in for a pummeling.
oOh! Launches The Junkee Network
Junkee Media and parent company oOh!media have launched a powerful new way to reach young Australians – the Junkee Network. Combining Junkee Media’s content platforms with oOh!’s leading Out of Home assets in venues and universities across the country, the Junkee Network will be the largest and most influential youth content network in the country. […]
Cricket Australia Rejects Super-Sized McDonald’s Sponsorship Deal In Favour Of Incumbent KFC
Cricket Australia spurns Macca's' overtures, insisting it had nothing to do with getting soggy fries at the Drive-Thru.
Aimee Buchanan Says It’s Time To Evolve Historical ‘Maternity Leave’ Into ‘Parental Leave’
When Aimee Buchanan speaks, B&T listens. Our editor doubly so, due to him being slightly deaf in the left ear.
Indie Agency Channel T Wins Ego Pharmaceuticals’ Creative
Ego produce some of Australia's best-loved pharmaceuticals. Particularly if you suffer from a myriad of fungal diseases.
James Murdoch Quits News Corp Board Over Editorial “Disagreements”
Expect awkward silences & a distinct lack of joie de vivre at the Murdoch family Christmas lunch this year on this news.
The Opportunities & Challenges Of Working From Home
B&T lists the advantages of working from home as The Young & The Restless, chardonnay at 11 and noticeable weight gain.
GroupM’s Finecast Allows Advertisers To Measure BVOD Reach For The First Time
Admittedly, GroupM's Finecast can't help with the office footy tipping, however, it can help with your BVOD numbers.
Research Reveals Aussie Small Businesses Upping Digital Marketing Spend
Australian small business owners are turning to skilled local freelancers and upping their digital marketing spend as they move online to connect with customers and keep cash flow positive. The Federal Government’s pandemic response has earned a tick from small business owners as have those of New South Wales and Queensland, but one in three […]
Foxtel Announces Female-Focused Lifetime Movie Network
No one loves a good 'chick flick' like the B&T office. Our favourites being 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'The Terminator'.
“Sex Sells?” Yes, There’s Now An Instagram Page Dedicated To Australia’s Hottest Real Estate Agents
You opened B&T today expecting another 'Karen' story, didn't you? Instead, it's real estate agents in states of undress.
Amobee Launches OOH Offering For Aussie Market
Amobee throws off tech's slightly unhealthy, closeted indoors reputation and heads outside with new OOH offering.
Optus Assistant Chatbot Surpasses 2 Million Conversations
In the last 12 months, Optus’ AI Assistant Chatbot has surpassed two million conversations, with 1 in 6 Optus customers having their queries resolved immediately, providing a seamless experience without needing to speak to a person. Optus Assistant greets every customer that comes through My Optus App Messaging and its Web Messaging service with on average […]
SodaStream Introduces Respiratory Device For COVID-19 Patients
Sure, it might have a little 70s hangover about it, but SodaStream's proving it's very much on-trend with this top idea.
AKQA Recognised On Best Workplace For Innovators List
AKQA recognised on best workplace list and not merely for banning the Orange Cream from the office biscuit barrel.
