Amanda Johnston-Pell resigns from Telstra

As many in the industry suspected would happen, Amanda Johnston-Pell (left), former executive director of brands and marketing communications at Telstra, who is currently on maternity leave, has decided not to return to the telco in December, as originally planned.

In an all-staff memo today, Kate McKenzie, chief marketing officer at Telstra, said: “After eight years of service in a career of significant achievements, Amanda Johnston-Pell has decided not to return to Telstra at the end of her maternity leave in December.

“Amanda was the driving force behind several campaigns that became partof the Australian psyche, such as the internationally recognized andmulti-award winning “rabbits” campaign and her significant contributionto the organisation will be remembered by Telstra, and its customers,for many years to come.

“On behalf of the team at Telstra Ithank Amanda for her leadership, creativity and passion at Telstra andwish her the best of luck with future endeavours.”

Speculationon Johnston-Pell’s future withe Telstra has been rife since theappointment of Kate McKenzie to chief marketing officer in March,followed by the appointment of top creative director Mark Collis (left) as Telstra’s first director, creativity and innovation in May and the expansion of his role in June.

All these changes may have ramifications for Telstra’s rosteragencies down the track. The current roster includes Ogilvy, BWM, DDB,Droga5 and Three Drunk Monkeys.

Watch Amanda Johnston-Pell review the seminars for CB at Cannes in 2007, when she was director of sales and marketing, Bigpond, Australia.