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December Newsletter 2025
What’s changed in marketing, and what it means for 2026
It’s been a landmark year for the marketing profession, and across our community we’ve seen one consistent theme: the need to lead through complexity, not just navigate it.
This month, we’re examining how to stay ahead of that curve – not by reacting to change, but by leading it. Highlights include:
- AI with guardrails: From hyper-personalisation to enterprise adoption, we unpack what responsible AI looks like in practice – and why trust, transparency and governance now define competitive advantage.
- Capability that counts: Discover the skills marketers will need in 2026, and why commercial fluency, customer insight and data literacy now sit at the heart of high-performing teams.
- Leadership under pressure: Industry leaders share the mindset, resilience and strategic clarity required to navigate transformation – and bring others along with them.
Explore the full line-up below.
2025 in Review: ADMA on change, AI acceleration and the fundamentals that will define 2026
AI, uncertainty and a defining moment for marketing. ADMA reflects on 2025 and what will matter most in 2026.
ADMA's Productivity Commission submission - AI focus
ADMA’s submissions to the Productivity Commission shape AI, privacy, and data reforms that safeguard marketers’ flexibility, trust, and innovation.
The impact of effective internal AI adoption
Effective AI adoption hinges on people, not tech. Explore why culture, leadership and readiness determine whether organisations cross the GenAI divide.
Direct personalisation - Creepy or the future of marketing?
Deep personalisation is reshaping marketing. Discover the privacy rules, risks and responsibilities every marketer must navigate in the age of AI.
Master the skills marketers need to succeed.
Learn how to think, plan, and execute with confidence. In today's data-rich world, the real competitive edge doesn't come from more information - it comes from the ability to turn data into insights that spark strategy and action.
Learn to translate insight into intelligent strategy with ADMA’s new course.
Three forces redefining marketing in 2026 and beyond
Marketing is at a pivot point. Explore how privacy reform, capability building and AI innovation are reshaping the profession and demanding stronger leadership.
Cut to the chase: TikTok’s guide to short-form success
Discover TikTok's secrets to short-form video success and learn how to capture and hold viewers' attention in the fast-paced digital world.
Marketing moves fast. These 5 skills will help you keep up in 2026
Discover the top 5 essential marketing skills for 2026, from AI fluency to content strategy, and learn practical ways to build them now.
From FMCG to Big Four: David Phillips on Modern Marketing Challenges
David Phillips from Deloitte Digital discusses his career journey, the evolving role of CMOs, and the future challenges and opportunities in modern marketing.
Master the skills marketers need to succeed.
We are excited to announce that the Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising is partnering with Marcus Evans for the upcoming 18th CMO Summit 2026! The Summit takes place at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, Sydney on February 25-26, 2026.
The CMO Summit is an in-demand, premium forum bringing together leading Australian marketing executives, innovative agencies and solution providers.
The mission of Marcus Evans is to modernize outdated business development and sales processes by replacing them with an efficient and cost-effective approach that creates partnerships between leaders in the marketing community. We exist to add value to the decision-making of our CMOs and senior Marketing executives and to the search for qualified prospects for our suppliers and service provider clients.
What's more, ADMA members can access an exclusive discount on both summit tickets and accommodation. For more details, please contact Stavros Karelidis.
Notable Speakers: https://tinyurl.com/52ute846
From insight to impact: Leap Insight’s Sharlene Zeederberg on putting the customer back at the centre
Explore how Sharlene Zeederberg helps marketers reconnect with customers, sharpen critical skills and navigate a fast-changing digital landscape.
Understanding the impending Children's Online Privacy Code
Understand emerging requirements in Australia’s Children’s Online Privacy Code and the key privacy, consent and marketing impacts for organisations.
Taking career risks - and what it has taught me about leadership
Joanne Smith reflects on career-defining risks and the lessons they revealed – showing why resilience, preparation and mindset matter for every marketing leader.
Staying sharp over summer: What leading marketers are doing to reset for 2026
Leading marketers share the books, podcasts and rituals helping them reset, recharge and stay curious as they prepare for a big year ahead in 2026.