Telstra snares Brent Smart

SYDNEY, Thursday: AU telecoms outfit Telstra has hired IAG CMO Brent Smart – formerly MD at Colenso BBDO NZ – as its new chief marketing officer.

Telstra’s AU ad agency is The Monkeys.

“Telstra Australia’s ad agency is The Monkeys Sydney.”

Smart will join Telstra in September, replacing Jeremy Nicholas, who will become Telstra’s digital channels executive.

Smart joined IAG Australia five years ago from Saatchi & Saatchi New York where he was ceo.

He said: “There aren’t many Australian brands that can play as big a role in culture as Telstra. You can feel a real positive momentum in the business. it’s an exciting time to join and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”