Chatime names GYG’s Alison Walsh as CMO amid marketing restructure
Alison Walsh moves from GYG to Chatime
Bubble tea chain Chatime has appointed long-serving Guzman y Gomez marketer Alison Walsh as its new CMO for Australia, amid an apparent reshuffle of its marketing structure.
Walsh takes over a role previously held for the past year by national marketing manager Rachel Druce, who left the Taiwan-founded chain in December, two months after the departure of its global CMO Jeff Chang.
Druce, who has since joined St Vincent de Paul Society NSW as marketing manager, previously reported to Singapore-based Chang. However, Walsh will report to Charlley Zhao, managing director of Chatime Australia.
“We are entering the next phase of growth for Chatime Australia,” a company spokesperson told Mumbrella.
“After building a strong national footprint with more than 150 stores, the focus now shifts to strengthening the brand, driving sustainable sales growth and evolving our core range beyond bubble tea to keep the brand relevant in a highly competitive beverage market.”
The spokesperson added that Chatime moved to a global marketing leadership structure led by Chang, alongside Druce locally. in 2022 after former CMO Joanna Robinson moved to The Iconic.
“However the business is now moving back to a locally led C-suite model as the Australian market enters its next stage of growth,” they added.
Walsh previously spent 17 years with the Australian-founded Mexican fast-food chain, most recently serving as its head of sales and marketing.
According to an announcement, Walsh will lead Chatime Australia’s brand, marketing, product development and growth strategies, covering digital, campaign delivery, social and product development.
In a press release statement, Walsh described Chatime as “a fun brand with great foundations”.
“Together, we are all focused on driving sales growth by aligning strategy, brand and commercial outcomes,” she said.
“There’s a clear opportunity to re-energise our core customers while continuing to broaden appeal with young Australians. The priority is moving with pace, staying culturally relevant, and ensuring every initiative delivers measurable commercial impact.”
In the same release, Zhao said Walsh came at a “pivotal moment for the brand” and will help oversee its “next phase in Australia.”
