Last year an extensive review of marketing and communications activities and teams across the University, and its entities, was undertaken. Following this detailed review the University agreed to transform its approach to marketing to drive the development of a stronger, aligned brand reputation.

This week marks the official launch of the new Group Marketing team and approach with the overarching objective of Group Marketing being: ‘to align communications across the University to build a strong future-focused brand reputation that will engage our audiences as their preferred university.’ 

“This is an exciting opportunity to take the University’s marketing and communications efforts from good to great, to really understand our audiences and stakeholders so as to deliver on our objectives with each group, underpinned by a strong future-focused brand and reputation ,” said John Chatterton, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

The transition sees a mixture of continuing and new team members as the organisational chart shows. Reporting to the CMO are four directors, managing teams providing a range of marketing and communications services and expertise right across the University. 

• Tamera Bradley joins us as Strategy Director from the UNSW where she was Senior Marketing Manager. Her team includes Portfolio Partners servicing every area of the University, responsible for developing aligned and prioritised marketing plans.
• Shannon Kliendienst has been with us now for six months as Communications Director and leads a team looking after internal communications, PR and media liaison, social media and issues management.
• James Barrow comes to us from advertising agency Leo Burnett as Creative Director and will work with a team focused on brand execution and evolution, and creative and visual identity.
• Billy Lee is an internal promotion to Digital Director, who, with his team, is responsible for developing our web and CRM-based (email, SMS) communication channels.

“While the transition, the new team and the new strategy will take time to embed, the focus of the team is working collaboratively in partnership with all stakeholders across the University, to create aligned plans that will optimise the impact of marketing and communications efforts,” John said.

This month Group Marketing will start a regular monthly briefing for those interested in meeting the new team, and learning more about the Group Marketing strategy and how we can best work together. The first session is booked for 3.30pm on Friday 8 April. An invitation has been sent out to representatives of the teams we serve across the University, but if you would like to attend one of these sessions you are very welcome – contact Rachel Dunkley (rachel.dunkley@mq.edu.au or ext. 7378).