Former Meta and Coles Data Exec Joins Canva

Andy Ford, former Head of Data Intelligence and Measurement at supermarket Coles 360, is departing marketing data firm Analytic Partners less than three months after joining, for a new role at design software company Canva.

Miami-based Analytic Partners provides marketing measurement and commercial analytics to major corporates, including a decisioning platform called GPS-Enterprise. Last year it acquired marketing analytics company Analyx, six months after snapping up British marketing analytics company Magic Numbers.

Canva provides AI-powered tools for creating content, including options for a template-based or conversation-driven process. Two weeks ago it announced the acquisitions of Simtheory, an AI collaboration and agent management platform, and Ortto, a customer data and marketing automation company, as part of an evolution from a design tool into a system 'where teams do all of their work from start to finish.'

Ford (pictured) spent more than eight years in marketing science leadership roles at Facebook and Meta, before joining Coles in September 2023. He is based in Sydney, Australia.

According to marketing news publication mumbrella.com.au , the news of Ford's move comes amid reports that Canva will look to go through an IPO as early as next year. Last week it released a new version of its platform, Canva AI 2.0, promising to be 'a true creative partner' for in-house marketing teams.

The company is online at www.canva.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.