Brent Smart has stepped down as Chief Marketing Officer at Telstra after nearly four years, ending a tenure marked by a significant creative turnaround for the company.
Smart joined Telstra in June 2022 from IAG and led a series of high-profile campaigns, including the award-winning “Wherever We Go” platform, widely credited with reshaping the telco’s brand positioning.
Smart said the decision to step down comes after an intense period of transformation.
“I’ve put everything I have into transforming the Telstra brand over the last four years and I’m proud of the impact the brand has had in the business and in the market,” he said.
“I’ve decided it’s the right time to close this chapter and recharge before I take on the next challenge.”
A creative legacy
In a statement, a Telstra spokesperson credited Smart with driving a transformation of the brand.
“Under Brent’s four years of leadership, the brand has gone from strength to strength. Today, Telstra is one of the top 10 strongest brands in Australia and the fourth strongest telco brand in the world,” the spokesperson said.
The company also highlighted Telstra’s 2025 Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Film Craft as a defining achievement during his tenure.
Leadership transition
Jana Kotatko
The role will now be taken on by Jana Kotatko, currently an executive in Telstra’s Retail and Regional division and former Chief Executive Officer of Belong.
Kotatko also previously worked at IAG as General Manager of Marketing for its NRMA brand, bringing both marketing and operational experience to the role.
Main image: Brent Smart