By Robert Kahn, Chapter President
To provide some context, New York is one of 75 AMA chapters across the country representing a combined membership of over 30,000 marketers, academics, researchers, client-side marketing executives, consultants and those who work for various agencies. In terms of membership, programs and thought leadership, we are arguably one of the most successful chapters in the network. Our 15-member board of directors plays an active role in shaping our strategy and overseeing our operations.

Perhaps you may be familiar with our annual flagship event, the Marketing Hall of Fame, a democratic process which culminates in an induction ceremony held every spring to support the overall mission of the AMA New York, to “inspire and celebrate brilliance in marketing.” This past May we inducted four outstanding individuals: Gary Briggs, vice president, chief marketing officer, Facebook; Jon Iwata, senior vice president, marketing and communications, IBM; Jim Stengel, former global marketing officer, Procter & Gamble and president/CEO, The Jim Stengel Company, and Jerry Wind, PhD, Professor of Marketing, The Wharton School.

Marketers get involved throughout the year with a busy calendar of monthly events that address the most current topics and challenges facing marketers as well as numerous networking events to facilitate career and business relationships.

My personal favorite is the annual summer baseball outing to either a Yankees or Mets game, that typically includes a high-level discussion with the team’s marketing leadership, topped off with a few beers and cuisine that is definitely not on anybody’s eating regime.

We are extremely proud of our mentorship program which is now in its third year and provides a structured way for seasoned executives to guide younger professionals in their careers and business challenges. To date over——mentor and mentee pairings have been completed.

I encourage you to consider joining if you were not already a member as there are many benefits to membership. You might think of the AMA New York as a resource to help you with either your career or your job by providing new opportunities for leadership, professional advancement and networking.

Please let me know if you have any ideas for programming, events, sponsorships or content that would be of interest to our members and the New York market and community.