The COVID-19 crisis has changed consumer behaviour now and probably forever, presenting both challenges and opportunities for marketing professionals. According to Helen R. McIntee, President of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC), the marketing profession’s most pressing imperative today is “to kick start a new conversation on how best to address a radically changed business environment as the world slowly emerges from the COVID-19 chaos”.

To this end, the AMC has announced its relaunch, with an updated vision and goals, she says. Launched in 2011, the AMC is a Pan-African body of marketing professionals that has so far brought together the national marketing bodies and associations of nine countries. Members are committed to the ongoing development of the marketing profession, to ensure the highest possible standards. The Confederation provides a platform for networking opportunities, the exchange of knowledge and expertise and the continuous development of professional marketing skills.

The AMC consists of member bodies that include the Institute of Marketing Management South Africa (IMM), Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, The Zambia Institute of Marketing, The Marketing Society of Kenya, The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, the Institute of Marketing and Management, Mauritius, Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM) and The Moroccan Association of Marketing and Communications (AMMC). 

“We are more committed than ever to growing and developing the profession and to ensuring that African marketing specialists have the support needed to survive and thrive today and in a post-COVID new normal. The AMC’s vision of connecting marketers across Africa will provide the best platform to allow us to engage, share and find new solutions,” McIntee states.

The AMC’s new vision and goals will be outlined in detail on 30 September 2021 at a relaunch event, which will also include compelling presentations and discussions with top marketing thought leaders and experts. “If you are a marketing professional, work in a marketing-related field, are an academic, a business owner, or if you are just interested in marketing, this event is not to be missed,” stresses McIntee.

“I was honoured to be re-elected as President of the AMC for its re-launch year, and I look forward to addressing our AMC members at our relaunch event on 30 September 2021,” she says.

Time for African marketing profession to shine on a global scale

AMC Secretary General Gillian Rusike, who is also the Chief Executive of the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, believes that this is the time for marketing professionals to take the lead at the front of strategic planning. “It is marketing that identifies customer needs; it is marketers who interact with customers; and it is the same professionals who tailor make products and services to meet the changing needs of the customers and excite demand and consumption of the same. A lot has changed in the way we are doing business and we want to see marketing at the front. This is the time for Africa to shine on a global scale through the AMC,” he asserts.

The speaker line-up for the relaunch event includes Dr. Alistair Mokoena, Country Director at Google South Africa, who will share his insights and deep experience with attendees. Mokoena spent 14 years in various marketing roles at Unilever, Tiger Brands, SABMiller, Cadbury and Barclays Bank. His roles ranged from Brand Manager to Marketing Director. This was followed by eight years in advertising agencies where he was the Managing Director of FCB Johannesburg, Managing Director of Ogilvy Johannesburg and Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy South Africa. Externally, he serves on various South African marketing bodies and is a visiting Professor of Practice at the Johannesburg Business School. He is a Chartered Marketer with a BCom Degree, an LLB and MBA. His most recent academic qualification is a PhD.