Myer has named former marketer and Coca-Cola boss Gary Williams as executive general manager of strategy planning and business development, a month after it was left red-faced when it had to fire a exec hired into the strategy role when it was revealed the new apointee's CV didn't exactly stack up.
A spokesperson for Myer told AdNews that the role is “completely separate” from the ill-fated appointment of Andrew Flanagan a month ago who turned out to have fudged much of his CV, after claiming he had previously been managing director and vice president for Asia Pacific at Inditex Group. He hadn't.
Williams will take on a “much more senior” role as executive general manager of strategy planning and business development, whereas Flanagan had been taken on as a group general manager of the same function.
The spokesperson told AdNews that Myer CEO Bernie Brookes has been in talks with Williams, who he has known for some years, for over a month to take on a role at Myer in the wake of the failed previous appointment.
Williams will take on a more senior role due to his extensive experience and will report director to Brookes and start in August. Flanagan would have reported to CFO Mark Ashby.
Williams is currently senior executive vice president of Westfield Property Group, based in the US. He was previously managing director at Coca-Cola Australia and has held senior international marketing roles at Westfield, Puma and Reebok.
He will work closely on marketing and branding initiatives with Daniel Bracken, who was appointed as CMO last month and will join in August.
The ongoing pitch for the Myer creative account is still up in the air and agencies are having to “wait and see” what happens until Bracken joins and takes control of the process.
In a statement, Myer CEO said: “Today’s announcement, along with the recent appointments of Daniel Bracken as Chief Merchandise and Marketing Officer and Richard Umbers as Chief Information and Supply Chain Officer further strengthen our Leadership Team.”
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