Market Protection & Self Regulation:

CMA influences government policy with a comprehensive and proactive marketing advocacy program that ensures the views of CMA Members are heard and understood by policy-makers.

• CMA devotes a considerable amount of resources responding to key public policy issues affecting marketers and proactively ensures that the valuable views and opinions of our members are presented to governments.
• Through lobbying efforts and the management of key public policy issues, the Association helps protect the marketplace from undue restrictions
• The Association lobby’s to government on issues that include: consumer privacy, mobile marketing, behavioural marketing, advertising to children, spam email, deceptive marketing practices and telemarketing.
• CMA has participated in a variety of government-led task forces and working groups on issues such as privacy, ecommerce, spam email and fraud prevention

Through self regulation CMA provides one of the strongest protections for marketing in Canada.

• The benchmark for effective self-regulation, CMA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice has evolved over the years to become the best practices document for Canada’s marketing community.
• CMA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice is compulsory for members and as such is a comprehensive regulatory framework governing members’ conduct.
• It is a living document that is constantly reviewed to ensure that it reflects current marketing best practices.
• Occasionally CMA forms internal task forces to develop self-regulatory policies on marketing best practices, ethics and privacy.
• A series of guidelines have been created to assist member organizations to better understand the important obligations under the Code, providing practical, how-to information relevant to today’s marketing channels, technologies and practices.
• Governments and regulatory bodies often refer to the CMA Code of Ethics when enacting legislation and include key provisions of the document in those statutes and regulations. As well, the media often hold up the CMA Code as an example of best practices for business.

Information & Intelligence:

CMA provides members with timely industry news to keep them abreast of important industry happenings.

• Member communications delivered right to your inbox
  • Member Bulletins and Briefings
  • Weekly Watching Brief
  • Monthly e-newsletter

CMA supplies members with the resources to help them navigate through today’s competitive marketplace.

• Password access to the CMA member’s only section of the website to access a comprehensive list of marketing resources and research materials
  • Marketing-related articles
  • White papers/reports
  • Case studies
  • Marketing FAQs and guides
• CMA research
• Access to past member communications

CMA’s Thought Leadership papers explore the key business issues which are challenging marketers now and into the future, including:

• Marketing on a Global Scale
• Behavioural Advertising: Why Consumer Choice matters
• Personal, Powerful and Pervasive: the Future of Mobile is "In-Hand"
• Canadian Marketing: The Reality, Obstacles and Preparing for the Future

CMA has a list of publications available in our online bookstore including:

• Canadian Marketing Association: Marketing Facts
• Marketing Research Publications
• Studies & Reports

Education & Skills Development:

CMA provides staff training and skills development to enhance productivity and raise performance standards in the form of:

• Conferences: Designed to allow you to make an impact on a specific segment of the marketing industry.
  • Business of Ideas Forum
  • Atlantic Integrated Marketing Conference
  • Experiential Marketing Conference – ½ day
  • Mobile Conference – ½ day
  • Digital Conference
  • Direct Marketing Conference &Trade Show
  • Make Your Mark – Women's Conference – ½ day
  • Social Networking Conference
• Seminars: Seminars are targeted to the learning needs of new, intermediate, and seasoned marketers, including senior level marketers whose scope of responsibilities have broadened to include marketing disciplines new to them. In the areas of:
  • Social Media
  • Partnership Marketing
  • Marketing Math
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Advanced Email Marketing
  • Integrated Online Marketing
  • Media for the Non-Media Marketing Professional
  • Developing, Defining and Advancing your Brand
  • Marketing 101
  • Green Marketing
  • Learn to Present Like the Pros
  • Competitive Intelligence
  • Loyalty Marketing Workshop
• In-House Training: A cost-effective, highly targeted way to increase organizational effectiveness and enhance job skills and performance
  • CMA can adapt any course from our existing programs, or create entirely new seminars or curriculum specifically tailored to your unique staff needs.
  • CMA’s pool of training consultants are all recognized leaders in their fields. They are experienced and dedicated instructors who can help your organization identify and address its training needs
• Special Events Series: Topics of interest to our members and constituents, offered in partnership, and presented as breakfast events, webinars or other special formats.
• Professional Marketing Certificates: Designed to help marketers gain practical knowledge and skills to grow their career and keep pace with our rapidly changing industry.
  • Courses include: Advertising & Media, Customer Insight through Research and Analytics, Direct Marketing, E-Marketing (Digital), Integrated Branding and Promotions
• Advanced Marketing Management Series: A new stream of courses designed for marketers who are in management positions.
  • Developing the Marketing Plan and Leading it to Success
  • Additional courses to be developed
• National Convention: Canada’s largest marketing convention
  • This program is filled with actionable learning and amazing networking opportunities with marketers from across the country.
• CMA Awards: A symbol of marketing excellence for over 35 years
  • Be recognized for your outstanding marketing campaigns that have delivered results at Canada’s biggest and most prestigious marketing awards event.
  • Each November, approximately 2,000 of Canada's top marketers, clients, and business partners come together at the CMA Awards Gala to honour the stars of the marketing industry.

CMA Members receive exclusive member discounts on all CMA events, products and services.

• CMA members save 15% - 40% off the price of CMA events and resources including:
  • Discounted price to attend CMA Conferences, Seminars & Luncheons
  • Reduced price to exhibit at CMA's annual National Convention and Showcase Forum
  • Member pricing for CMA research materials and reference books

Networking & Business Development:

CMA provides a forum for members to meet and build business relationships.

• Networking opportunities at more than 60 events annually including the CMA National Convention, and CMA Awards Gala.
• Volunteer participation on CMA’s 8 Marketing Councils, Committees and Task Forces
• CMA Awards judging
• Teaching and speaking opportunities

CMA promotes industry growth, development and education through a network of eight Marketing Councils that provide a forum for members to exchange marketing intelligence through:

• Case studies
• White papers
• Articles
• Guidelines

The CMA Marketing Blog presents members with helpful information and a great way to interact with industry professionals

• A place where all marketing-related topics are fair game: branding, strategy, online, offline, marketing trends, technology, direct marketing, market research and more.

The Annual CMA Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide delivers corporate visibility and generates new business leads.

• Corporate Membership includes a complimentary membership listing
• The ability to be listed under all buyer’s guide categories that pertain to your business functions
• Print and online advertising opportunities, and listing enhancement features available to increase your corporate visibility

CMA Members have the right to display the CMA Member logo on any marketing materials and websites in order to build consumer confidence

• CMA Members can download the CMA Member logo from the Member’s Only section of the website.
• The CMA Member logo is recognized as a symbol of integrity and responsible marketing practices and will contribute to the credibility of your organization.

CMA offers many member advertising and marketing opportunities that help your organization standout and gain recognition.

• CMA Sponsorship Opportunities – learn how to reach your target audience, meet your corporate goals and restate your commitment to excellence in marketing.
• CMA Website Advertising – These valuable spaces are a new and unique way to reach the marketing community and get your message recognized.
• CMA Buyer's Guide and Source Book Advertising – reach powerful, influential marketing professionals in the CMA Buyer’s Guide and Source Book. Check out the advertising opportunities in the all-new marketplace section of the print directory or gain exposure by purchasing a category heading in our online directory.
• E-Communicator newsletter advertising – Reach valuable decision makers in the marketing industry by advertising in the Canadian Marketing Association’s monthly e-newsletter.

There are exclusive CMA Corporate and Event Sponsorship programs available to CMA members that help reach target audiences and increase corporate visibility.

• Corporate Sponsorships: Year-round benefits including recognition at all CMA Major events and conferences and in CMA’s published materials
• Event Sponsorships: Immediate impact and high profile visibility to a targeted audience