Celebrating Progress in 2024
Highlights from the Marketing Skills Trust AGM at LinkedIn HQ
The Marketing Skills Trust's Annual General Meeting on April 30th, graciously hosted at LinkedIn's London headquarters, was packed with information and interesting content. The event brought together industry leaders, mentors, and supporters to reflect on the Trust's achievements over the past year and to look ahead to future initiatives.
A Year of Impact
Chairman Martin Troughton opened the AGM by acknowledging the Trust's significant accomplishments over the past 12 months. He introduced the 2024 Impact Report, which details the Trust's efforts in supporting marketing talent from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The report showcases initiatives such as the School of Marketing's Mentor Programme, DMA Talent initiatives and the Brixton Finishing School's ADventure Programme, all of which have made substantial strides in promoting inclusivity and skill development within the industry.
Enhancing Professional Presence
One of the event's sessions featured Trustee Zara Easton, LinkedIn's Group Head of Brand Marketing. Zara shared her top tips on optimising LinkedIn profiles to maximize professional visibility and engagement.
Inspiring Conversations
A highlight of the AGM was the live recording of "The Places We'll Go Show," a podcast hosted by Ritchie Mehta and Mark Evans. The episode featured an engaging interview with Nishma Patel Robb, former Head of Brand at Google. Nishma captivated the audience with her insights on embracing artificial intelligence in marketing, emphasising that leveraging AI is not "cheating" but rather a means to enhance efficiency. Her perspective encouraged attendees to view AI as a valuable tool in the evolving marketing landscape though to Nishma having worked with it at Google for the last 4 years, it was something she was supremely comfortable with and nothing new.
The Hour of Power
Another exciting moment at the AGM was the official launch of The Hour of Power - our innovative new mentorship exchange. This initiative invites some of the industry’s brightest minds to donate one hour of their time, offering one-to-one sessions in return for a charitable donation to the Trust. It’s a powerful way to share knowledge, raise funds for the Trust, and extend opportunity - and the response at launch was overwhelmingly positive.
Looking Forward
The AGM served as a testament to the Marketing Skills Trust's ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic marketing industry. The event celebrated the Trust's achievements and set the stage for continued growth and innovation. As the Trust moves forward, it remains dedicated to honouring the legacy of its founders and to empowering the next generation of marketing professionals.
