Note from the CEO: January 2018

Welcome to 2018. It's time to banish all thoughts of January blues because we’ve planned a brilliant year ahead for you.

Last year, we started something with our focus on being brave.

We know this is just the beginning, so we’re sticking with it, except this time we’re being even braver.

Our new fishbowl format, which encourages big, open conversations between the audience and speakers, is just one of the ways we’re mixing things up. At the beginning of February in New York, we’re taking on sexual discrimination in the workplace. And, in London we’re getting together with Society Fellow Karen Blackett OBE and co-founder of BAME 2020, Adrian Walcott to talk about race and diversity in marketing on 20 February.

I’m also really excited about bringing together two of the boldest marketing leaders I know. Our president, Diageo’s Syl Saller will be joining our new chairman, Craig Inglis, customer director, John Lewis for a frank and honest conversation on 31 January in London. No surprise that this event is sold out but let us know if you want to be put on the waiting list.

With the support of our new board alongside Syl and Craig, it feels like the sky’s the limit.

We’re going to continue encouraging you to push boundaries, have uncomfortable conversations and be braver marketers.

So put some Marketing Society dates in your diary, come along and together we can make an impact. And as 2018 unfolds, I want to encourage you all to get involved. This is your society and your feedback is as important as ever because it’s the only way we can get better.

Until then, look out for The Edit later this month showcasing our highlights across the global network and don’t forget to submit your best work for The Marketing Society Excellence Awards by Friday 9 February 2018.

Here’s to a great year for all of us.

Very best

Gemma Greaves
Chief Executive