Introduction
In 2024, AANA delivered more value to members than ever before.
In this challenging economic environment, we know marketing budgets are under pressure and the need to grow, often with less, has never been so important.
In 2024, we dialled up our membership offering to ensure our community felt supported, inspired and armed with the tools they need to navigate the changing marketing landscape and grow.
- Community & Connection – being part of a growing and supportive community that offers opportunities to connect with peers while enjoying thought-leadership
- Education & Training to help our member’s teams advance their knowledge and grow
- Leading the Conversation on the big issues that shape the future of our industry.
The following sections offer a summary of the impact AANA has been able to deliver to members in 2024 as well as a little of what you can expect in 2025.
Thank you for your ongoing support of AANA and the industry.
The AANA team
CEO Highlights
A word from the Chair
After more than five years as Chair of AANA, it’s time for me to step down.
I’m delighted that Jenni Dill, our Deputy Chair and a key driver of AANA’s mission, will take on this role moving forward. Her vision and dedication will serve AANA and its members well.
Reflecting on my time as Chair, I feel privileged to have been part of the remarkable journey that has solidified AANA’s position as the leading marketing industry body in Australia.
This journey was made possible thanks to the trust and collaboration of our members, the dedication of the AANA team, and the wisdom and unwavering support of our board.
Together, we have raised the standards of marketing, while shaping the future of a vibrant and sustainable industry.
This year, we focused on delivering real value to members—advancing knowledge, supporting professional growth, and amplifying the industry’s voice. These efforts drove growth and ensured members saw clear benefits from their involvement with the AANA community.
I am proud to leave AANA in such a strong position, and I am confident it will continue thriving as a trusted partner for Australian marketers.
Thank you for your trust and support. It’s been an honour, and I look forward to seeing all that Jenni and the team accomplish next.
Building
Community
& Connection
One of the greatest benefits of AANA membership is being part of a growing community of supportive and inspiring marketers from across the industry.
This year, the AANA community has grown to its largest size in its 95-year history.
Marketers from across the industry have come together at AANA events and meetings to form meaningful connections and talk about the big issues that matter most to our members and the industry.
In 2024, AANA delivered an impressive lineup of events that featured some of the world’s most remarkable marketers and thought leaders, sparking conversations and building relationships that are shaping the future of marketing in Australia.
RESET for
GROWTH
Senior leaders
6 speakers
1 epic conference
Marketing
Masterclass
Across 4 events in Sydney and Melbourne
Connect
Events
C-Suite leaders
Webinars
Across 8 webinars
01.
RESET for Growth
on 1 May
Our premier marketing conference is back and we’ve turned up the volume on everything you loved.
02.
In 2025 we will be putting on more of our much-loved CMO and Marketing Directors connect events
03.
Marketing
Masterclasses
And more opportunities to learn and grow for you and your team via our Masterclasses.
Education and Training
In 2024, AANA expanded its education and training to help members grow professionally and future-proof their careers. This year, we launched two new training programs:
AANA Academy
Expert-led virtual classroom-type sessions on key topics like Market Mix Modelling, sustainability, and marketing effectiveness. With strong member interest, we’ll increase class frequency in 2025.
Online Code Training
In 2024, we launched Online Code training to raise the bar on responsible marketing. An large number of our members (including marketers, legal teams and anyone responsible for brand) have already become certified for:
- The Code of Ethics
- The Food and Beverage Code
- Children’s Advertising Code
Online Code Training for The Environmental Claims Code is coming soon!
Thought leadership
To complement training, AANA offers the latest thinking on the big issues through our monthly newsletter, regulatory alerts, regular social media updates as well as guides, videos and reports from reputable sources.
The appetite for self-regulation training and our complimentary Ad|Check service has continued to prove a valuable member asset.
AANA provided 144 lots of copy advice via Ad|Check
AANA engaged 480 members in bespoke code training
01.
AANA Academy now every 3 weeks
In 2025, we will be putting on a AANA Academy every 3 weeks – that’s over 20 subjects delivered by experts to learn about in 2025.
02.
New Online Code Training for Environmental Claims
We will grow our offering of Online Code Training courses available to our members. Plus launch to the broader industry.
03.
Look out for AANA’s podcast series!
AANA is taking it’s Meet the Marketer recordings to another level. Partnering with B&T we are set to launch a new marketing focused podcast in 2025.
Leading The Conversation
AANA is leading the conversation on the issues that matter most to AANA members and the industry.
Marketing as a critical driver of growth and profitability
In this tough economic climate, when pressure is on marketing budgets, AANA has been promoting and defending the role of marketing as a critical driver of growth and profitability.
Privacy
This year privacy reform was front and centre for the industry. AANA worked with members to effectively advocate to the Australian Government on the importance of targeting and the need for exclusion targeting tools.
Sustainability + Ad Net Zero
Taking action to transition the industry to a sustainable future was a priority in 2024.
To bring the industry together and inspire meaningful change, AANA joined forces with Advertising Council Australia (ACA), Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia (IAB) Australia, the Media Federation of Australia (MFA), to launch the Australian Chapter of Ad Net Zero.
By applying globally developed principles, standards and frameworks to the local landscape, Ad Net Zero Australia aims to drive meaningful change and position the industry as a leader in the fight against climate change.
The work starts now. Together, we can make a significant impact towards a more sustainable industry.
Member Councils
AANA’s Member Councils are shaping the future of the marketing industry in Australia. Whether it is developing industry codes, launching Ad Net Zero or leading the conversation on measurement, these marketing leaders are making an invaluable contribution to the health and vitality of our industry.
Diversity & Inclusion
AANA is a proud member of the Unstereotype Alliance. Together, we are working towards ending harmful stereotypes in advertising and continue to drive the movement towards more diverse and inclusive content and media. Get involved or download the latest guidebook.
This year, the AANA proudly supported the Shift 20 Initiative led by Dylan Alcott (AO) – this important work contributes to increasing the representation, inclusion and accessibility of marketing to people with disability.
Protecting and promoting our world-class self-regulatory system.
Australia’s world-class advertising self-regulatory system that has been operating effectively for decades. This year, a range of regulatory proposals for advertising restrictions have threated the integrity of this system. In response, the AANA has stepped up its engagement with government to defend our industry against these regulatory risks.
01.
Ad Net Zero builds momentum
Now the Australian Chapter of Ad Net Zero has been launched, the real work begins to transition our industry to a more sustainable future.
02.
Working to improve representation
AANA will be working to improve representation and accessibility in advertising of people with disability.
03.
Defending self-regulation
Engaging with government and spearheading the industry’s response to regulatory threats.
Our community
A huge thanks to all our members for your ongoing support. 2024 has seen the AANA member community swell to 95 members. We have more brands from more industries than ever before.
Thank you
None of what we have achieved this year would be possible without our members. So, a big heartfelt thank you to all our members for your ongoing support of AANA and the industry!
To our small but mighty team – thank you. We do so much with so little and we couldn’t be prouder of what we have been able to achieve this year.
To the Board, thank you for your leadership, tireless support and guidance throughout the year. AANA and the industry benefits enormously from your contribution.
To our Member Councils – PRAC, Sustainability Council and Marketing Communications Council – thank you for donating your expertise and precious time to give back to our industry. Many of our big achievements this year would not have happened without your drive and contribution.
Finally, while AANA may have a big voice, we are a small not-for-profit and simply cannot afford to deliver the quality of events and programs without the help our partners. Thank you to all our dedicated partners for their support of AANA and our members.
Together, we are shaping the future of a trusted and sustainable marketing industry in Australia.
Josh