Cartology nabs senior Google and Coca-Cola talents as new GMs
Cartology, Woolworths’ retail media arm, has nabbed Google’s Robbie Lawson and Coca-Cola’s Sam Way for two new general manager roles, under its new sales operating model.
Cartology’s new operating model brings together sales and support functions across four verticals — everyday needs, food, agency, and New Zealand — with an bigger focus on value and client-centricity.
Lawson and Way will cover everyday needs and food portfolios, respectively.
The pair will report to Tony Prentice, director of client partnerships and sales.
“Our sales set up reflects our strategic vision and meets our clients’ needs to partner even more effectively across our trans-Tasman business,” Prentice said in a media release on Monday.
“I’m incredibly pleased to bring the skills and capabilities of Robbie and Sam into Cartology, aligning to our ambitious growth plans and opportunities in the food and everyday needs categories. I’m confident that their combined deep understanding of both consumer behaviour and digital acceleration will be a tremendous asset to lead our everyday needs and food teams.”
Lawson joins Cartology after nearly seven years at Google, where he led digital transformation initiatives. Prior to that, he held various sales and business management roles at Unilever, L’Oreal, and Mars Food.
Lawson said the opportunity to help brands connect more meaningfully with shoppers is what drew him to the role.
“I can’t wait to start working with the team to deliver exceptional value for our clients,” he said in the release.
Meanwhile, Way joins with 20 years of experience across Nestlé and Coca-Cola. He spent nearly seven years with Nestlé, working his way up to brand management, before moving to Coca-Cola where he has spent over 11 years. Most recently, Way was vice president of digital acceleration.
“Digital is now fundamental to consumer behaviour and retail media has a huge role to play in helping brands bridge their digital and physical strategies for best in class results,” Way said in the release. “I’m looking forward to helping brands achieve this and more.”
Their appointments are effective immediately. They follow the recent appointment of Hannah Siddiqui, who leads the business’ intelligence and effectiveness function.
