Michelle Klein joins Westpac as chief growth and marketing officer

Westpac has appointed Michelle Klein as its new Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, who takes over from Annabel Fribence following her departure from the role earlier this year.

Carolyn McCann, Westpac Acting Chief Executive, Consumer, said in a statement: "We’re pleased to confirm the appointment of Michelle Klein to the role of Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at Westpac.

"Michelle is a customer-centric, commercial and data-driven leader, with global experience across a range of industries. She is the right person to take our growth and marketing agenda forward into the future, building on our proud 208-year history.

"We’re looking forward to Michelle joining Westpac later this year where she will be responsible for supporting our growth ambitions through our brand and marketing initiatives, including for Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA."

Klein's new role also marks her departure from IAG as Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, and recently hit the two years in the role with the insurance giant following her return to Australia.

An IAG spokesperson told Mediaweek: "Michelle leaves a very strong CXM leadership and broader team and we wish her the very best in the future."

Klein returned to Australia in 2023 after nine years with Meta. Klein joined the tech giant stateside in 2014 as Head of Global Marketing (Agency/Partners) before being promoted into senior roles within the company.

She was Meta's Vice President Global Business and Product Marketing for six months before stepping down from the role and coming back to home soil.

Prior to Meta, Klein spent eight years in senior roles with Diageo.

Last year, Klein featured in a Talking Media podcast and shared her thoughts on the importance of “doing the basics brilliantly” while providing an innovative experience for customers.

She said: “The experience and expectations a customer is looking for in your brand or business to deliver are usually quite straightforward.”

Top image: Michelle Klein

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