RAISING THE BAR ABOUT WHO WE MARKETERS ARE

A recent study in the Journal of Marketing, based on the analysis of 167 large companies, found that the presence of a Chief Marketing Officer in the organization has no impact – positive or negative – on that company’s sales growth or profitability.  Back in November 2006, the front page of Advertising Age warned, “CMOs You Have 23 Months to Live!”
  
This negative, misrepresented  (and possibly true at times) publicity of the marketing profession is a growing concern for Chief Marketing Officers in their quest for respect in the C-suite and it is a problem and concern for marketers at all levels.

"It’s time we marketers raise our bar!”

The Pittsburgh American Marketing Association’s charge in 2007/2008 is to raise the respect of the marketing profession throughout the region by improving member skills, adding value to their investment and celebrating marketers who profitably and significantly improve their brands.
  
By June 30, 2008 our goal is that through strong Chapter leadership and the flawless execution of several new initiatives, a newfound respect for the marketing profession among our members and the Pittsburgh regional business community at large will be achieved.

And, all of us will be proud to declare that…I AM A MARKETER!

Our value packed calendar of events this year include:

• A September kick off with David Ciesinski, VP of Heinz Ketchup North America Consumer Products
• Monthly “Hot Topic” luncheons and summits through June announced via mailings and the web
• Fun networking events and member mixers
• National AMA programs throughout the country
• Powerful local speakers such as Kathy Savitt, EVP/CMO of American Eagle Outfitters and one of Advertising Age’s “30 Women to Watch in 2007”
• Hot National Speakers such as Brendan McGeever of Google and Joe Shantz of Turner Broadcasting
• Best selling authors such as Mike Moran of  “Search Engine Marketing” and “Do It Wrong Quickly” and Fara Warner, and “The Power of the Purse”
• Our first ever “Marketer of the Year Awards”

AMA Pittsburgh is the marketing thought leader and catalyst for growth, development and advancement of sound marketing principles relevant for southwestern Pennsylvania. We have a dedicated board of 10 people and over 30 additional volunteers who comprise our leadership team and work hard to make our events succeed and ensure that we offer our members the best return on their investment.  Without their efforts nothing would get accomplished.

Kim Butler drives our programming. Ian DeJesus runs our communications. Joe DiFalco handles our Collegiate Relations. Bruce Downing delivers key sponsorships. Lara Horton keep everybody in check as our Secretary. Mike Kaulakis is our Membership point person. Dave Oshlag is a valuable resource as our immediate past president. Rob Reuter is our Executive Vice President and Ed Scherer is our Treasurer.

A special thank you to this year’s corporate Gold Sponsors the H.J. Heinz Company and the Pipitone Group; Silver Sponsors are our good friends at PPG and the Executive MBA Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business; our highly valued in-kind sponsor partners are JA Interactive, the Pittsburgh Business Times, and Professional Graphic Communications, Inc.

We value our long standing relationship with Duquesne University, our growing relationships with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University and we’re excited about our new partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

I encourage all AMA Pittsburgh members to become more engaged by sharing your ideas with us, attend more events and join our leadership team. And, if you’re not a member…join now. Let’s work together to earn back our respect and be a significant part of the change we wish to see in the marketing world of Pittsburgh and throughout the country.

If you would like to join our leadership team or have ideas to help us serve you better please contact me. We welcome your input, look forward to seeing you at our events, value your investment, respect you trust and are honored to serve you.

I AM A MARKETER and wish you all the best,

Stephen Wayhart, President 2007/2008
Pittsburgh American Marketing Association