IAG is restructuring its marketing department to allow for a new brand strategy across the business. As a result, Jane Merrick, general manager of marketing at IAG, has exited the insurance firm after eight years.
CMO Brent Smart, who took on the role in February, has put in place the major overhaul of the marketing strategy and structure designed to "set it up for success with future marketing initiatives".
AdNews understands that the broader marketing team was required to reapply for roles within the new structure and it has led to a number of redundancies, but it's not clear how many roles were affected.
A spokesperson tells AdNews: "There are further roles impacted with the restructure and the formation of the new marketing division, as we work to reduce duplication, simplify our structure and put our business in the best position to deliver for our customers.
"We are working hard to support our people affected during this transition, and find them roles within the business wherever possible. It is too early to provide detail on the number of roles impacted while we work through this process."
The marketing team now sits within the IAG Customer Labs division which is designed to "simplify and streamline business operations" and "create a more connected team across our brands, and put creativity at the heart of our business," according to the spokesperson.
They added: "Brent has huge aspirations for the future of our marketing division. He is focussed on creating not just great ads, but great experiences which connect with the customer and generate cultural impact. By having the marketing division within Customer Labs, the team will be linked to the data, digital and innovation capabilities required to deliver on this vision and advance into the future."
AdNews also revealed last week that Smart handed the creative account for NRMA to The Monkeys with no pitch, dropping M&C Saatchi after three years.
An all-new creative direction for the brand is expected early in 2018. It's also thought that IAG delayed a multimillion-dollar media spend planned for late 2017 to accomodate the new direction. In a profile interview with AdNews in July, Smart outlined his bold vision for the brand. You can read it here and download a copy of the print magazine here.
Merrick was most recently general manager of marketing and customer experience and was previously head of marketing for IAG’s three largest brands NRMA, SGIO and SGIC. IAG thanked her for her leadership during her time at the company.
She was part of The Marketing Academy leadership programme in 2015.
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