Marketing Associations (US)

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Marketing associations can be great career resources to learn and network with your fellow marketers, whatever step of your career you’re at — and even when you’re in college before beginning your career (the American Marketing Association has historically had a very good presence at colleges across the country). We strongly recommend looking into relevant marketing associations near you and determining what kind of a local presence and resources they have before joining.  

4 A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies)

The national trade association of advertising agencies (not for individual members). Membership requires approval by the 4A’s board of directors. Their mission is  ‘…help empower members to deliver insightful creativity that drives commerce and influences culture, all while moving the industry forward’.

Chapters include Chicago, Heartland, Michigan, Northeast Ohio, St Louis, Kansas City, Twin Cities, New England, New York State, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolinas, Dallas, Florida, River States, South Texas, Northern California and Southern California.

Academy of Marketing Science

The Academy of Marketing Science Foundation is an international, scholarly, professional organization founded in 1971.

African-American Marketing Association (AAMA)

Founded in 2019, the AAMA aims to “foster the growth and professional development of African-American marketers, creatives, and entrepreneurs.”

American Advertising Federation

The American Advertising Federation was established in 1905 and claims to be the only organization that includes members across all disciplines and career levels in advertising.  It has more than 200 local clubs, with more than 40,000 members.

American Marketing Association

One of the most respected marketing associations in the US with a large base of members (30,000) with 76 professional chapters and 250 collegiate chapters across North America in the business world, associations and academia. The AMA has both professional and collegiate chapters. According to the AMA: “The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, an essential community for marketers. 

Note from MarketingHire’s founder and CEO/CMO, Peter DeLegge: “The AMA is a great marketing association that’s valuable for professionals and college students and membership only costs $29 a year for students. We’d highly recommend college marketing majors consider joining.”

ANA Business Marketing

Formerly known as the Business Marketing Association (BMA), ANA Business Marketing serves business-to-business (B2B) marketing professionals with chapters in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. 

Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF)

Founded in 1999, the mission of the 3AF is “to advance the Asian American marketing and advertising industry for Asian American consumers through education, advocacy, promotion, and increased collaboration of all industry stakeholders including but not limited to marketers, agencies, research partners and media.”

Association of National Advertisers

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) is the US advertising industry’s oldest and largest trade association. The ANA acquired and combined with the DMA (Data Marketing and Analytics, formally the Direct Marketing Association)  in recent years.  

Black Marketers Association of America (BMAA)

A national group, the BMAA was founded in 2017. The BMAA states that their mission is to “empower, elevate and educate Black Marketers financially, mentally and emotionally through their marketing careers. We aim to improve the marketing industry by highlighting and supporting Black Marketers’ careers as employees, freelancers and business owners.” 

Branded Content Marketing

The BCMA is the leading global member association for branded content practitioners, run by practitioners, promoting best practices, sharing knowledge and growing the branded content industry.

Chicago Interactive Marketing Association

”CIMA’s purpose is to equitably serve, empower and amplify the voices and careers of every member of our organization and the interactive/digital marketing community in the great(est?) city of Chicago. “

Content Marketing Association

“Our overarching aim is to promote the use of content marketing as an effective marketing tool and ensure the growth of our industry, from content creation right through to measurement.​” Their members encompass professionals in the content marketing industry, “from contact publishing and branded content, to content production, SEO, and PR.” 

Federation of African American Advertisers and Marketers (FAAAM)

Founded in 2019,  FAAAM’s mission is to “connect African American marketing and advertising professionals and ensure authentic representation of African American culture in brand marketing.”

Global CMO Growth Council

The Global CMO Growth Council, part of the ANA, was founded in 2018 and is led by the Chief Brand OFfiicer of Proctor and Gamble, Marc Pritchard. A global community of chief marketers that states is “committed to helping CMOs look much further ahead to envision what their brands, business, and society will need to grow in the coming months and years ahead.”

Hispanic Marketing Council

Founded in 1996 as the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, the vision of the Hispanic Marketing Council is: “To champion the Hispanic consumer segment and the importance it signifies to corporations seeking to grow their revenue and market share. To advocate for responsible & intentional investment in Hispanic marketing, commensurate with the enormous opportunity the multicultural majority presents.”

International Advertising Association

The IAA claims to be ‘the world’s most influential network of marketing and marketing communications professionals” and have a presence in 56 countries. 

Interactive Advertising Bureau

The IAB ‘empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy’. Its membership is comprised of more than 650 leading media companies, brands, and technology firms.

Internet Marketing Association

IMA is one of the fastest growing Internet marketing groups in the world. It is underwritten by corporate partners to provide members an opportunity to learn, engage and define Internet Marketing best practices without making a financial commitment.

International Public Relations Association (IPRA)

Founded in 1955, IPRA is a network for PR professionals. IPRA developed a code of conduct to provide an international ethical framework for PR professionals. It is also the organizer of the Golden World Awards for Excellence.

Mobile Marketing Association

The Mobile Marketing Association has more than 800 member companies globally and 14 regional offices. It claims it is “the only marketing trade association that brings together the full ecosystem of marketers, tech providers and sellers working collaboratively to shape the future.” The MMA’s global headquarters are located in New York with regional operations in Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), and Latin America (LATAM).

Network Advertising Initiative

NAI is a non-profit organization that is the leading self-regulatory association dedicated to responsible data collection and its use for digital advertising.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

PRSA is a national organization for public relations professionals. In addition to workshops and conferences, they offer an accreditation in public relations.

The Insights Association

“As the leading voice, resource and network of the marketing research and data analytics community, the Insights Association helps its members create competitive advantage.” Formed through the merger of CASRO and MRA (both founded in 1957).

Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association states that it is “working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet.” Staffed by volunteers that encompass Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals.

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