NEW YORK: The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have launched a CMO Growth Council to represent the voice and priorities of a slate of leading marketers.

Featuring 20 marketing heads from various blue-chip brands, the CMO Growth Council, launched in partnership with the ANA’s CMO Masters Circle, will advance what was described as a “first-of-its kind global leadership agenda”.

In activating this goal, it will leverage round table discussions, presentations and workshops that address common challenges and opportunities related to future growth.

The CMO Growth Council will be chaired by Marc Pritchard, chief brand officer at Procter & Gamble, the consumer packaged goods giant, and the ANA’s current chairman.

“CMOs all over the world are facing similar growth challenges and opportunities,” Pritchard explained in a statement announcing the Growth Council’s launch.

“The CMO Growth Council offers an important platform for marketing leaders from around the world to discuss, collaborate and take actions to help drive the entire industry forward. I have high hopes for what we can achieve together.”

Intended to be an annual partnership, this effort will “pivot” between the Cannes Lions gathering held in France each year and the ANA’s Masters of Marketing Conference, two yearly fixtures on the industry’s events calendar.

Bob Liodice, the ANA’s president/CEO, suggested the Growth Council’s agenda will build on the 12 priorities pursued by the ANA’s CMO Masters Circle, which include brand and creative excellence, measurement, inclusiveness, and purpose.

“Our goal with this partnership is to create a transformative, strategically aligned powerhouse that brings lasting impact to the international marketing scene,” added Liodice.

Philip Thomas, chief executive of Ascential Events and chairman-elect of the Cannes Lions, asserted that the Growth Council matched a long-standing focus on connecting creativity with business success.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the ANA on this important initiative, and working with the world’s biggest advertisers to unleash the power of creativity to drive growth,” he said.

Sourced from ANA; additional content by WARC staff