Brent Smart
Telstra's chief marketing officer, Brent Smart, has departed the business after almost four years, AdNews can confirm.
“I’ve put everything I have into transforming the Telstra brand over the last four years and I’m proud of the impact the brand has had in the business and in the market," Smart said in a statement sent to AdNews.
"I’d like to thank Telstra leadership for their faith and my team and partners for their support. I’ve decided it’s the right time to close this chapter and recharge before I take on the next challenge.”
Smart is credited for pioneering Telstra's newer marketing wins, including the 'Wherever We Go' campaign by Bear Meets Eagle on Fire, TBWA, OMD and Telstra's bespoke agency model, +61.
He was previously the chief marketing officer at IAG.
The role will be filled by Jana Kotatko as the newly created chief marketing officer and retail executive.
Kotatko joined Telstra in 2017 and has held a number of senior leadership roles, including CEO of Belong, executive for customer value management, and executive for fixed products.
She brings more than two decades of experience across telecommunications and consumer services, with a strong background in marketing, brand and customer value leadership.
"After an incredibly impactful chapter at Telstra, Brent has chosen to take some time out to recharge his creative batteries. Under Brent’s four years of leadership, the brand has gone from strength to strength," a Telstra spokesperson told AdNews.
"Today, Telstra is one of the top 10 strongest brands in Australia and the fourth strongest telco brand in the world. We also earned the most prestigious award in advertising, the 2025 Canne Lion Grand Prix for Film Craft. That doesn’t happen by accident.
"Brent and his team have truly transformed our brand and taken it to new heights. His legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come."
Telstra released the next iteration of 'Wherever We Go' earlier this year, called 'Telstrut.'
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