Leisa Bacon steps down as ABC's director of audiences and marketing

The ABC's director of audiences and marketing, Leisa Bacon, is leaving the national broadcaster after a decade leading its core marketing and strategic audience functions.

Bacon has led the ABC's marketing and audience teams, and the audience launches for the ABC Kids app, ABC listen app, ABC NEWS app, and the log-in to watch on ABC iview.

ABC managing director David Anderson said Bacon’s achievements and experience prior to joining the ABC in 2014 meant she has always had a strong understanding of audiences, stakeholder management, marketing, communications, digital, experience design, and change management.

“Leisa came to the ABC with the task of centralising our marketing and audience requirements to meet changing audience engagement in an increasingly fragmented media market," he said.

“The ABC needed a sharp and dynamic marketing professional to meet these significant changes in the industry and Leisa has always stepped up to the challenge.

“Leisa has developed and led strategies to ensure the ABC remains relevant to audiences everywhere. She is passionate about the ABC and has been committed to making sure Australians have been aware of the contribution we make to the community through the services that entertain, inform and educate.

Anderson added that Bacon played a key role in "managing the ABC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the ABC remained an important and central source of news, information, and entertainment during that challenging time for all Australians."

Bacon joined the ABC as director of audience and marketing in March 2014 after senior roles across the consumer products, health, and arts sectors.

“Since joining the ABC I have always viewed this as the best job in the country. We serve the Australian public, contribute to culture, and literally produce the best content in the country," Bacon said.

“I will always be an incredible supporter of the ABC, my amazing Audiences team and my fabulous boss, David Anderson.

“However, all things need to keep evolving. After an incredible 10 years with the ABC, I am going to be leaving on a bit of a career high."

Bacon’s final day at the ABC will be 6 September. Karen Madden will be acting director audiences while the ABC undertakes a recruitment process.