April 2025 President's Note
Happy April!
Spring is a time of rebirth and fresh starts. This year it’s also a time for Canada to come together to defend our economy and sovereignty. The CMA is actively supporting our community and advocating for the marketing profession to do exactly that.
My latest op-ed in the Financial Post advocates for removing interprovincial trade barriers to give businesses the stability they need to expand, innovate and compete both domestically and globally.
We are bringing together our community to discuss the rapidly evolving marketplace. Our upcoming CMA Café on April 8 about the rise of Canadian patriotism is one example. Plus, we’ll be releasing CMA Connect podcast episodes detailing how Canadians are responding and adapting their behaviours in the face of tariffs and an uncertain economy.
The CMA is dedicated to helping futureproof marketers. One of the many ways we’re doing this is by helping you understand and leverage AI. Here are three new ways you can benefit:
- Our CMA AI Committee is launching a series of AI Playbooks for marketers that are published each Friday. The first one will be issued this Friday. Watch for them weekly.
- Join us on April 10 for our CMAai virtual event where we’ll share research results on how Canadian marketers and businesses can accelerate AI adoption. The event is free for members.
- We offer a range of AI training programs, including our popular Generative AI Certificate course, and a brand new AI elective under our Chartered Marketer designation program.
Our CMA Marketing Week is six weeks away. This year, we have even more ways for you to learn, engage and come together with your industry colleagues from across Canada.
- The week will include in-person events in Toronto and Vancouver, virtual programming, training, learning and networking opportunities. Sessions will explore key industry challenges, evolving Canadian consumer trends and strategies marketers can use to drive business impact.
- This year features a keynote by international bestselling author Jonah Berger, Wharton School marketing professor and world-renowned expert on change, influence and how products and ideas catch on. Plus, there will be perspectives from more than 35 industry thought leaders.
- We’ll kickoff with two live CMA events on May 5. In Toronto, I’m hosting Neil Patel for a live CMA Connect podcast episode on the future of branding. Our Vancouver event will unveil the Most Loved Brands in BC.
- The signature event is CMAfutureproofon May 7. This hybrid event focuses on the ever-evolving state of the industry and how marketers can continue to futureproof themselves and their brands. We’ll also share lunch and end with a cocktail reception.
Members benefit from an exclusive early bird price of $25 (vs $200) for CMAfutureproof if you register before April 24. All other CMA Marketing Week events and training are free for members.
It’s going to be an inspiring week and it’s terrific to see the high level of interest already.
Spring signals the start of our awards season. I’m thrilled to announce our 2025 CMA Awards Co-Chairs: Mary DePaoli, our 2024 CMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the EVP and CMO for RBC, and Stephanie Yung, Chief Design Officer for Zulu Alpha Kilo. They’re both passionate about the crucial role creativity and innovation play in fueling business growth, and they’re excited to celebrate Canada’s marketing excellence.
Applications open for CMA Awards judges on April 8. Helping to select the year’s top campaigns is an inspiring role and I encourage you to apply. The 2025 Award submissions will open on April 24 with special early bird and member pricing.
Providing guidance, and advocating to ensure marketers can thrive in the evolving regulatory environment, continues to be a priority for us. In the last month, we completed three government submissions across a range of important issues. We were also active during Fraud Prevention Month to educate consumers and businesses on recognizing, reporting and stopping fraud.
I'm happy to share that our innovative Digital Marketing Skills Canada upskilling program has been extended for another year. After upskilling 1,200 marketers in the first year, we will now focus on three priority industries: advanced manufacturing, agriculture and cleantech. The sectors are quite broad and include grocery retail, consumer goods, automotive, and telco to name a few.
This year, marketers who are currently employed can apply. It's a great opportunity to earn the Chartered Marketer designation fully funded by the Government of Canada, in partnership with Palette Skills.
It’s an inspiring time to be part of the CMA community, and I look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to chat.
If you’re celebrating Easter or Passover later this month, I wish you a memory-rich time with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Alison Simpson
President & CEO
Our amazing CMA community continues to grow, with 22 organizations becoming new members since January. Please join me in welcoming: Deloitte, Pinterest, SAS, Equitable.ca, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Oetker, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, Invest in Canada, Centennial College, BrandPilot AI, Pathways to Education, Hamilton Health Sciences Volunteer Association, Geneva Centre for Autism, The Manitoba Museum, Gainwise, Listenmore, Alternative Sales Strategy, Pamper and Splurge, Care2, ODD Consultants, Tag, and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario
