Leisa Bacon, Gillian Franklin, Jeff Krug, Suzana Ristevski join AANA board

National industry body the Australia Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has appointed four new board members: independent directors Gillian Franklin and Jeff Krug; ABC's departing director of audiences, Leisa Bacon; and Google country marketing manager ANZ, Suzana Ristevski.

The four will join the existing group of senior marketers and industry leaders that make up the board, which works alongside the AANA team to oversee its goals of promoting a trusted and sustainable industry in Australia, including governing its regulatory body, Ad Standards.

"Their impressive skills and expertise will seamlessly complement the high calibre of directors already on the board as we strive to continuously grow and improve as Australia’s leading marketing industry body," said chair of the AANA board, Martin Brown.

"Together, they bring a wealth of experience across marketing, advertising, customer and governance. Leisa and Suzana are some of the most respected marketing chiefs in Australia, while Gillian and Jeff’s stellar careers at executive and board level will enhance our non-executive director strength."

Franklin joins the board with over 30 years of experience across various industries as a commercial executive, CEO and non-executive director at companies including Revlon, Creative Brands, and as founder of The Heat Group.

Krug is an established chief financial officer and director with over 40 years experience. He also has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, budgetary controls, and risk management. Beyond Australia, he has worked across Japan, Africa, and New Zealand.

Bacon has worked with well-known brands including P&G and the Coca-Cola Company, leading some of Australia’s largest new product launches and marketing campaigns. She stepped down from the ABC last week.

Ristevski has grown businesses and brands in categories such as financial services, telecommunications, private health insurance, and industrials. Throughout her career, she has tenured at organisations including NAB, GE, Optus Telecommunications, Medical Benefits Fund, and 20th Century Fox in London.

In June, the AANA added 15 new members to its community, including the ABC, BHP, BlackBay Lawyers, Carsales, DoubleVerify, Hismile, MECCA, Mutinex, Murmur, OPTUS, Paramount, Revolution360, Volvo, v2food, and 7Eleven.

See also: Mutinex, Paramount, ABC among newest AANA members

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Top image: Gillian Franklin, Jeff Krug, Leisa Bacon, and Suzana Ristevski