Later this morning expect an announcement from AOL that John Burbank, most recently VP of marketing for heavy spender AT&T, is joining the company as chief marketing officer, finally filling a major gap in the TW unit’s executive ranks. Burbank reportedly had a $165 million budget at AT&T and left before two of its biggest campaigns truly kicked off—the iPhone and the branding switch from Cingular to the “new AT&T.” Hopes to hire Burbank were first reported by Online Media Daily late last month.

Next question: how long will it take to see a difference in AOL’s marketing strategy?

Update: The official announcement is out.