Vale Lisa Ronson: one of Australia’s top CMOs dies following tragic accident on her farm in Victoria

Lisa Ronson, one of Australia’s top CMOs, died on Saturday afternoon following a tragic accident on her farm in Ullina, near Daylesford in Victoria. The Medibank chief marketing officer had been riding on her an all-terrain vehicle when she lost control and crashed.

Ronson’s career has seen her hold senior brand marketing, advertising and sponsorship roles working across a range of diverse industries and global brands, including David Jones, Telstra, Visa International, Carlton and United Breweries, Westpac, Tourism Australia, Coles and most recently, Medibank.

Recognised within the industry as one of Australia’s top CMOs, Ronson led a number of award-winning Tourism Australia marketing campaigns, including ‘Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns’, created by Droga5 New York, which, amongst many honours, received a coveted Titanium Lion at the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Ronson was appointed to the chief marketing officer role at Medibank in July. She was also an adjunct professor at Deakin University and a board member of Wheelchair Rugby Australia.

Ronson’s husband Chris Taylor paid tribute to his late wife in a statement to the Herald Sun where he called her “the love of my life, my inspiration and greatest supporter”.

“I am lost without her. The sudden loss of our beloved Lisa has left us in profound shock, with words falling short of capturing the depth of our grief. Our hearts are broken beyond words. Yet, in our sorrow, we hold onto the memories of her spirit, her smile, laughter, and the love she so generously shared. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

Ted Horton, CCO of Big Red, worked with Ronson on and off for many years. Horton told CB: “Lisa was my colleague and friend for nearly 25 years. I worked for her at David Jones, Westpac, Coles and Medibank. She appointed me and she sacked me; but we always remained friends. Her passing is beyond sad and a great loss to Australian advertising, as evidenced by the work she championed and the many honours the marketing world bestowed on her. My thoughts are with all her many colleagues and friends, but especially her devoted husband Chris, her son and pride and joy Ben, her mother Gloria and sisters. Vale Lisa.”

Creative director Darren Spiller, who worked with Ronson when she was CMO of Coles, told CB: “Lisa believed that great ideas and executions made a big difference to brands. She was a great marketer and even greater friend to the point she was part of my family. We will miss her everyday, in the boardroom and in the fields. Vale Lisa.”

ADMA CEO Andrea Martens expressed her condolences in this statement to CB: “Everyone at ADMA is absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Lisa Ronson. Lisa was one of the most genuine and caring people you could meet, and one of the great leaders in the marketing industry. She cared about our craft, but she cared more about the people in the industry and worked hard to make it better for everyone.

“To my mind she was one of the very best marketers Australia has produced. Her work was always fearless, bold, inventive, but never forgetting the reason we do it – the people. She was always very generous with her thoughts and insights – never shying away from having the hard conversations in public, and always making time for everyone in private as well.

“The industry is a poorer place without Lisa in it, and we send our condolences and best wishes to her family at this tragic time.”

ACA chair Michael Rebelo posted this tribute on behalf of ACA: “On behalf of the Advertising Council of Australia Board and members, it is with such deep sadness that today we mourn the loss of our dear friend, Lisa Ronson.

“Lisa was the epitome of the dream client, truly valuing the agency partnership and what we create together. She had an amazing instinct for creative ideas that moved and connected with Australians.

“Lisa cared deeply for her team and our agency teams alike, and she had the ability to energise a room every time she walked in. Above all, she was a tremendous human being and a friend to all.

“Her loss leaves an undeniable gap in our industry. We extend our deepest sympathies to Chris, Ben, and Lisa’s family.”