Woolworths Group today announced the launch of a new stand-alone media business to ensure supplier partners are able to better communicate and engage with customers along the path to purchase.

The new business, named Cartology, managed by industry executive Mike Tyquin (feature image), will ensure new and existing Woolworths customers are being engaged with more timely offers and content from suppliers via the Group’s owned media assets.

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said: “At Woolworths, we know in order to continue to grow our business in the future, we need to better connect our customers in a relevant and engaging way with our brands and the products we sell.

“We’ve been watching closely how other large-scale retail businesses internationally are better engaging customers along the path to purchase.

“Many are now leveraging new digital and data technologies to become major media businesses in their own right.

Banducci continued: “In Australia, we are well placed to provide a platform for our suppliers to engage potential customers with close to a billion searches to our websites for food and drinks in the past year alone.

“We also know our suppliers are looking for simplified ways to engage with customers.

“Cartology has been established to provide a more streamlined approach for suppliers to better communicate to customers via our in-store, digital and other media assets.

He concluded: “It’s an exciting time for our partnerships and we look forward to working closely with suppliers and industry as we launch the business and further innovate the retail media landscape in Australia”.

Media Industry veteran Mike Tyquin has been appointed as Cartology’s managing director.

Tyquin has over 25 years of experience in media across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Rod Evenden has been appointed as general manager of operations.

Evenden has been with Woolworths for over 35 years and in his new role will ensure that Cartology continues to work end to end with all areas of the Woolworths Group.

Banducci added: “Having led some of Australia’s leading media operators, Mike brings with him a wealth of knowledge in media strategy and developing customer facing technologies and channels.

“Along with Rod’s extensive experience in marketing operations and connections within our business, we believe we have a leadership team that is well placed to spearhead a business to deliver on the future communications needs of our partners”.