Former Tourism Australia chief marketing officer dies

Former Tourism Australia chief marketing officer Lisa Ronson has died in a tragic farm accident in rural Victoria.

According to Victoria Police, the 52-year-old lost control of her all-terrain vehicle at about 7pm on Saturday, 23 November, 2024, at a property near Daylesford, northwest of Melbourne.

Emergency services were called to a farm on Clunes-Daylesford Road, in Ullina, following the single-person accident, in which the vehicle rolled, but Ronson was unable to be revived.

The adjunct professor at Deakin University had been working as chief marketing officer at Medibank since July 2024, having also spent four years in the same role at Coles.

From 2015-2019, Ronson was Tourism Australia’s chief marketing officer, and she oversaw the creative for the agency’s famous Crocodile Dundee campaign that aired during the NFL Super Bowl in 2018.

Current Tourism Australia CMO Susan Coghill has led the tributes to one of Australia’s top marketers.

“As so many in the industry would say, Lisa was much more than a colleague, she was a friend,” she says.

“The outpouring of love for her is testament to that.

“She always had big ambitions, made the journey fun, and created opportunities for those around her.

“My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”

Ronson, who was a keynote speaker at AIME’s Knowledge Program at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in February 2024, is survived by husband Chris Taylor and son Ben.

“I am lost without her,” says Taylor in a statement.

“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, her laughter and the love she so generously shared.

“May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

Medibank CEO David Koczkar has also paid tribute to Ronson.

“We are devastated by the news of Lisa’s passing,” he says in a statement.

“Lisa was a brilliant, loved and much respected member of our team at Medibank.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this very difficult time.”

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