The future of business is in the hands of young marketers, and nominations are now open for year two of The Marketing Academy program.
The Marketing Academy is a free professional development program that invites 30 future marketing leaders to take part in a nine-month program of mentoring, coaching, lectures and boot camp to set them up for the next stage of their careers and shape them into the marketing and business leaders of the future. The idea is to raise the standard of marketing and leadership in Australia.
“The program is there to bridge the gap between an emerging generation of leaders and the guys at the top who have been there and done it,” Sherilyn Shackell, CEO and founder of The Marketing Academy, said.
“It's completely free because we don't want finance to be barrier to learning. We believe that wisdom and knowledge should be freely given, and gratefully received. The academy is all founded on the basis of people gifting their time.”
The scheme, which is modelled on a UK program that's been running for five years, is funded by sponsors including Commonwealth Bank, Google, Foxtel and News Corp – all the major sponsors from year one have signed up for the second year.
Of the 30 that took part in year one from Mindshare, Clemenger BBDO and Naked, a third of those have already received a promotion, and all credit it as a life-changing experience.
The program is open to candidates from client side, agencies and mid-organisations with between 10 and 20 years' work experience, but being nominated is the easy part. To get on the program, candidates go through a tough three-part process which begins with an application, then a 10-minute pitch to a panel, an interview and then a selection panel. Last year there were 200 nominations, whittled down to 30.
It amounts to 15 days of learning over nine months – but adds up to a lifetime of lessons.
Yesterday (22 October) the cohort of 30 presented learnings gleaned from the last nine months in a showcase presentation in front of 800 marketers, peers and business leaders. One of the founding principles of the program is that people should use their knowledge and wisdom and “pay it forward” by sharing it with others.
Mick McKeown, head of international brands at Carlton & United Breweries and a 2015 delegate said: "Being part of the first Australian Marketing Academy has been an extraordinary experience that has not only helped me grow as a leader but also as a person. I am truly grateful for what I have learnt and the people I have met, and whilst the selection process is intense, the reward is truly priceless."
Another 2015 graduate, Adam Ross, head of co-creation at Mindshare, said: “When I was nominated for The Marketing Academy, I didn’t really know too much about it, so whilst I really wanted to get onto the program I wasn’t desperate. Knowing what I know now though, I really should have been. It is not just something that will propel me forward in my career, but has been a genuine life-changing experience.”
Some of the industry’s most high profile leaders and marketers give up their time to provide mentorship and coaching. Mentors include M&C Saatchi CEO, Jaimes Leggett; Clive Stiff, CEO Unilever; Mark Reinke group executive of marketing at Suncorp; Megan Brownlow, executive director of PwC; Professor Mark Ritson of the Singapore Business School; and Leigh Terry, CEO of Omnicom Media Group.
The lecture series is supported by Seven West Media, Kmart, IAG, Macquarie University and the Sydney Opera House. The AANA, ADMA, MFA and the Comms Council also support the scheme.
Ed Smith, CMO of Foxtel, one of the academy’s premier sponsors, said: “Foxtel is committed to achieving the highest levels of marketing excellence; developing our people is key to developing our capability. As a founding supporter, we’re proud to return for our second year. Having seen the Marketing Academy in action, it has exceeded our already high expectations. There is no doubt in my mind this is the most exciting and comprehensive development opportunity available to aspiring CMOs in this market.”
The deadline for applications is 18 December 2015. To nominate someone you think would benefit from the program and offer something to the cohort, visit: www.themarketingacademy.org.au
Meet the 30 2015 Marketing Academy Graduates:
The 30 graduating are:
1. Amy Lee-Hopkins, Brand and Reputation Manager - Barnardo's
2. Claire Whish-Wilson, Brand Manager - AAMI Insurance at Suncorp Group
3. Justin Edward Taylor, Category Marketing Manager - Mondelez International
4. Nicole Bardsley, Director of Brand and Communications -Virgin Mobile Australia
5. Justin Robinson, Director of Marketing Operations & Media - Foxtel
6. Vanessa Sanford, Executive Manager Digital & Social Channels - Commonwealth Bank
7. Sharon Lewis, Executive Producer - M&C Saatchi
8. Lucy Plunkett, General Manager - Play Communications
9. Sean Hall, General Manager Employee Experience - Telstra
10. Hamish Strahorn, Group Business Director - Starcom MediaVest Group (Aus)
11. Ian Edwards, Group Business Director - MEC Global
12. Tim Kirby, Head Of Account Management - Naked Communications Sydney
13. Adam Ross, Head of Co-Creation - Mindshare
14. Alex Light, Head of Content - Vice Australia
15. David Halter, Head of Digital - Clemenger BBDO
16. Jo McAlister, Head of Group Marketing - SBS
17. Jane Merrick, Head of Marketing Communications - IAG
18. Ernesto Soriano, Head of Marketing, Google Play - Google
19. Kim Hamilton, Head of Performance - OMD Australia
20. Duncan Parfitt, Head of Performance and Analytics - Match Media
21. Pia Coyle, Head of Trading & Amplification - Ikon Communications
22. Paul Connell, Homecare Business Team Leader - Unilever ANZ
23. Damon Robbins, Manager, Digital Marketing - Tabcorp
24. Victoria Cooper, Marketing Director - Goodman Fielder
25. Heilan Bolton, Marketing Manager - 20th Century Fox
26. Mim Orlando, Marketing Manager - Carlton & United Breweries
27. Rachel Taylor, Marketing Manager - PepsiCo
28. William Papesch, Marketing Manager - DBG Australia
29. Michael McKeown, Marketing Manager - Carlton & United Breweries
30. Nick Turner, Senior Marketing Manager News Corp Australia
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop me a line at rosiebaker@yaffa.com.au
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