Membership Digest

Direct Marketing: What’s Old is New

Direct mail remains a powerful tool in a marketer’s toolkit, offering a personalized approach to engage with audiences and drive measurable results. As digital channels dominate the marketing landscape, successful direct marketing strategies must seamlessly integrate online and offline touchpoints to create cohesive customer experiences. When customers are overwhelmed with content and touchpoints, however, how much is too much?  

In this members-only webinar, our panel of marketing leaders, academic researchers and industry experts will explore direct marketing through the lens of the customer experience. Join us as we dive into discussions on the synergy between digital and traditional direct marketing channels, leveraging data and creativity to cut through the clutter, and the strengths of different channel to drive engagement, conversions, and brand loyalty.

Happening at AMA | We’re all about the podcasts!

AMA Marketing / And Season 1 is Live

Season 1 of Marketing / And is live! Ready to explore the intersection of marketing and innovation? Dive into captivating conversations with visionary marketers, creative geniuses, and trailblazers who are shaping the world around us.

• Human-driven Innovation and Career Journeys: Paul M. Rand, Vice President of Communications at the University of Chicago
• Creative Endeavors and System Design: Sean Adams, Dean of Visual Art and Communication at the ArtCenter College of Design
• Value of Saying Yes and Strategic Approaches: Zontee Hou, Founder of Media Volery LLC & Managing Director for Convince & Convert
• Innovation Journey and Finding Patience in Tech: Elav Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Applied Innovation, Gen AI Lead of McCann Worldgroup
• Strategic Intent and Driving Enduring Change: Dr. Sylvia Long-Tolbert, PhD, MABA, MBA, Founder of Know More Marketing
• Value of the Platform and Business Re-Engineering: Ted Moser, Senior Partner at Prophet & Author of Winning Through Platforms
• Marketing to Children and Privacy in Advertising: Katie Goldstein, Global Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at SuperAwesome

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You Did What!?

Content Chaos: Staying Relevant in an Overcrowded Landscape

Content is everywhere, and what we see dictates what we know and consume. Therefore, content marketing is critical for keeping your business top of mind, but how do you stand out from the crowd? Will jumping on the latest content trends keep you relevant, or will it end up hurting your brand?

In this members-only webinar, our panel of marketing leaders, academic researchers and industry experts will explore content marketing through the lens of content presence. Join us as we dive into discussions on how and where brand content should show up, the perception of UGC, and the role content plays in achieving your business goals. 

The Value of Career Mentors

AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson sat down with Marketing Career Mentor to talk about his career, his love for marketing, and what triumphs and challenges led to him becoming the CEO of AMA. Bennie also shares his one piece of advice for those interested in a marketing career. You can watch the Marketing Career Mentor interview here.

Interested in more information on mentorship and why it matters? This article by AMA Toronto’s Alan Middleton provides more insight.

Leveraging Partnerships in Association Learning

In a new article from ASAE’s Associations Now Leadership Blog, AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson and Molly Soat talk about when to look for a partner, the value it can bring to a membership organization, and why evaluation is always part of the discussion.

Read the article about our learning partnerships.

Suzanne Buzek Named Volunteer of the Year by AMA

“AMA is an amazing community, and that is all thanks to the individuals who dedicated their time and efforts, and energy—over 1 million hours of volunteer time—to making this marketing space an incredible experience,” said Bennie F. Johnson, AMA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Suzanne does more than simply volunteer. She makes our community and our industry better, her impact is felt through her creativity, her guidance for new chapter members, and her dedication to our mission. Congratulations, Suzanne, on being named the 2024 Ric Sweeney Professional Chapter Volunteer of the Year award winner!”

Read the full release honoring AMA’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year, Suzanne Buzek.

AMA Marketing / And Podcast—Season 1 Live in April

The new season of Marketing / And will release in April with new guests and conversations that stretch the boundaries of marketing and how we view the profession. Season 1 guests include:

1. Paul M. Rand, Vice President for Communications at the University of Chicago
2. Sean Adams, Dean of Art and Communication at ArtCenter College of Design
3. Zontee Hou, founder of Brooklyn-based digital marketing agency Media Volery and managing director for Convince & Convert
4. Elav Horowitz, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Applied Innovation, Gen AI Lead, McCann Worldgroup
5. Dr. Sylvia Long-Tolbert, founder of Know More Marketing
6. Ted Moser, Senior Partner at Prophet and author of Winning Through Platforms
7. Katie Goldstein, Global Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at SuperAwesome

We’re excited to share these insightful conversations and dive into the expansive world of marketing. Listen to AMA’s Marketing / And with Bennie F. Johnson.

Beyond the Logo: Exploring Strategic Branding and Effective Brand Management

Perception is power, and when it comes to your company and products, your brand is everything. From the logo to the tagline, the power of your brand impacts customer perception and loyalty. From the creative elements to the ongoing brand management tactics, what are you doing to showcase your company’s values and value proposition? 

In this members-only webinar, our panel of marketing leaders, academic researchers and industry experts will explore branding and brand management through the lens of customer perception. Join us as we dive into discussions on what makes a brand successful from the creative design to the ongoing management tactics that keep customers wanting to come back for more.

Brand Perception Survey

A survey to quickly understand how your brand is viewed in the market.

Transitions Guide: Doctoral Student to Professor

This comprehensive guide is for marketing doctoral students transitioning from student to professor.

AMA CEO Joins the University of Maryland’s CEO at Smith Lineup

On February 13, AMA’s CEO, Bennie F. Johnson, joined students and faculty at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business to talk about marketing innovations, imposter syndrome and being fearless, AI and technology, and personal branding.

“Marketing should be the good trouble maker. Be good at creative destruction,” Johnson told the attendees.

Read about the event

AMA’s Journal of Marketing Takes on Nostalgia and Gets Featured in Fast Company

In a new Journal of Marketing article, researchers from University of Newcastle–Australia published a study that examines how brands can use references to the past via vintage typography to establish emotional bonds with today’s consumers. The study, titled “Typography Talks: Influencing Vintage Anemoia and Product Safety Perceptions with Vintage Typography,” is authored by Alicia Kulczynski and Margurite Hook.

Read the Journal of Marketing release and the Fast Company article

What Role Does Marketing Play in Shaping an Inclusive and Equitable Future?

That is the driving question brought to a group of 25 marketing executives who shared their insights on how they are addressing supplier diversity as part of their marketing strategy. this report is a collaborative effort from leaders of the AMA New York, AMA Cincinnati, and AMA PDX chapters.

Learn more about the report

The Power of CX: Exploring the Nexus of Marketing and Customer Experience

In this members-only webinar, our panel of marketing leaders, academic researchers and industry experts will explore customer experience through the lens of playing the long game. Join us as we dive into discussions on the role of technology, the economy, and current trends impacting customer experience.

Toolkit: Customer Engagement Maturity Model

Our customer engagement maturity model is designed to help organizations with a roadmap for improving their customer engagement capabilities.

Virtual Conference: Customer Experience

Tailored for marketers, the AMA Customer Experience Virtual Conference explores how CX shapes successful marketing strategies through insightful presentations by industry thought leaders. Get ready to learn about how leading brands have elevated their marketing through exceptional customer experiences and connect with fellow marketers seeking answers to the questions you need to know to make an impact.

2024 Conferences and Virtual Events Announced

AMA is pleased to announce the schedule of 2024 virtual events and in-person conferences for the marketing community.

Focused on academic development, equipping students to build the future, leadership events for CMOs and executives, professional development for marketers in the higher education space, and a public policy conference to address issues at the intersection of consumers, organizations, and policymakers are just a few of the 2024 learning highlights for in-person conferences. Learn more.

Virtual event will focus on professional, B2B, B2C, customer experience, branding, analytics, leadership, and higher Education events will be showcased in 2024. Learn more.

Grab Your Headphones. AMA has a New Podcast!

In early 2024, AMA released a new podcast, Marketing / And with Bennie F. Johnson. This new podcast is an invitation to explore opportunities that help us uncover the innovation, design, and the cutting-edge strategies that are the future of marketing. 

Want a behind the scenes look at what happens when you record a podcast trailer? We recently stepped into the studio and wanted to share the experience and the trailer. We’re in planning mode for season 1 and will be sharing new episodes.

And Speaking of Podcasts…

AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson was recently interviewed on the Higher Voltage podcast. You can listen here to learn more about Bennie, his career journey in marketing, and the fun of working at AMA.

Tapping into Influencers: A Community Approach to Marketing

In this members-only webinar, our panel of marketing leaders, academic researchers and industry experts will explore influencer marketing through the lens of community building, authenticity, and growth. Join us as we dive into discussions on what makes an influencer marketing program successful while balancing the factors you need to consider along the way.

Toolkit: Customer Engagement Project Plan

Use this project plan to outline the key components of your customer engagement program to steer the direction of your project.

2023 Leonard L. Berry Marketing Book Award Presented to Nancy Harhut 

The Book—“Using Behavioral Science in Marketing: Drive Customer Action and Loyalty by Prompting Instinctive Responses”—illustrates the application of behavioral principles to marketing.

The AMA Foundation (AMAF) is thrilled to recognize “Using Behavioral Science in Marketing: Drive Customer Action and Loyalty by Prompting Instinctive Responses” by Nancy Harhut as the 2023 Leonard L. Berry Marketing Book Award recipient. This award recognizes books published in recent years whose innovative ideas have had a significant impact on marketing and related fields.

Introducing AMA’s New Podcast Marketing / And with Bennie F. Johnson

In a world where marketing is everything, and everything is marketing, we explore the world through the reflection of marketing. Everything can be a marketing conversation, we’ll take it one step further and explore the space at the intersection of marketing and…

Join Bennie and our guests as we delve into conversations that flourish at the intersection of the unexpected. In this podcast, we’ll introduce you to the visionaries whose stories you might not have heard but are exactly the ones you need to know. Through thought-provoking conversations, we’ll unravel the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that have been shaped by marketing.