Says board member Heidi Brauer, “Initial objectives of the new board were to re-establish the marketing industry in terms of representation on key bodies that had been left vacant since the unfortunate demise of the Marketing Federation. We are happy to report that MA(SA) now has board members serving on the boards of ASA, SAARF, LCA and ABC”.
Inter-dependant partnerships have been realised through re-establishing professional links with ACA, CGCSA, DMA, Chartered Marketers and the Services SETA. Mirroring PRISA, DMASA and even organisations such as the IoD, MA(SA) now represents marketers from both the individual and corporate environment. To this end, 13 out of the Top 20 corporate companies and six out of the Top 10 in South Africa are members. Individual membership of senior marketers currently stands at 112.
Vodacom has continued its anchor sponsorship for the second year and Standard Bank remains a committed sponsor. These sponsorships, together with the increased membership, has assured MA(SA) of an income stream to enable it to facilitate initiatives such as the recruitment of an executive director. This person will be tasked with increasing membership, building on inter-dependant relationships, leveraging the power of complimentary bodies in addressing issues of mutual relevance, such as food labeling, media inflation, advertising to children and free pitching.
“MA(SA) is very clear on its positioning as a promoter, not a provider of services to the marketing profession, and as such is working with complimentary bodies on issues dealing with education, legislation, lobbying and regulations. The re-establishment of an independent oversight committee is also nearing finality and we are in discussions with several international bodies, like the WFA and other relevant organisations,” says chairman Bonang Mohale.
The next AGM will be held on 28 July 2008 in Johannesburg. Go to www.marketingsa.co.za for further information.
