According to the Australian Marketing Institute’s latest Directors Report and Annual Accounts, it made a net operating loss of $176,072 for the year ending 30^th June 2009 compared to a surplus of $92,340 in the previous year.

It details an operating loss built on the back of a net increase in membership of 2.8%, a 15.7% net increase in Certified Practising Marketer’s (CPM) and a 9% increase in function revenue. The loss means that the Institutes cash reserve has now been reduced by nearly a third.

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This week the Australian Marketing Institute announced the 11 successful NSW councillors to represent their fellow NSW AMI members.

It is a shame that there isn’t any representives from NSW’s second largest city or the Hunter AMI Group.

Here are the NSW councillors for 2009/10:

• President: Paul Nicolaou AFAMI CPM
• Deputy president: to be advised
• Christopher Mooney AFAMI CPM (state director to National Board)
• Nicholas Ridis FAMI CPM
• Sean Grant AFAMI CPM
• Louise Nock AFAMI CPM
• Frank Cohen AFAMI CPM
• William Scully-Power AMAMI
• Alan Sarkissian FAMI CPM
• Martyn Riddle AMAMI CPM
• MaryJane Aviles AMAMI CPM
• Michael Locke AFAMI CPM

OMG! Is it true? The Australian Marketing Institute is actually having state elections in NSW, elections where members can actually vote for real candidates. Something I’ve been calling on for years.

I would like to encourage all AMI members in NSW to VOTE! It doesn’t matter if you agree with me or not, this is your chance to make a difference and have your say in the future direction of the Institute and the marketing profession.

Image by jrbrubaker

If you are going to vote do it quickly, your ballot paper has to be returned by post or in person to the nominated address, which must be received by 5pm on 28^th September 2009.

There are 9 candidates for 5 vacancies on the NSW State Council.

Here is my ‘How to Vote Card’ for change:

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I’m not one for marketing or advertising awards. I don’t know anyone who enters them and I’m a little bit suspicious about who decides the winner. But saying that…if I was involved and won, I’m sure I’d be the first to jump up and down in self promotion.

So, I’d like to congratulate the winners of the 2009 Australian Marketing Institute Awards for Marketing Excellence for New South Wales. However, except for the NRMA campaign, I haven’t heard or seen any of the winning campaigns. 

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The King is dead. Long live the King! is a traditional proclamation made following the accession of a new monarch in various countries. With this proclamation, I hope Paul Nicolaou has a successful tenure as the AMI’s new NSW Council President.

Worst President Ever
Originally uploaded by Kier42

However, the AMI NSW Council is full of the same old faces and same old marketing ideas.

They have even elevated the OLD NSW Council President for the past three years to the position of NSW Director to the National Board.

What did he achieve over the last three years other than trying to threatening me over the phone?

Here is the new presidents plan as cut and pasted from the AMI’s Website:

“It is my intention during my term to develop strategic alliances with other similar specialist membership organisations to assist marketing professionals do their work.

Further, I will be working with fellow councillors, the National Board and the AMI’s other state councils to develop "principles and standards" in marketing practices across all facets of the marketing mix.

In addition, I will be taking a proactive approach in increasing the profile of the NSW Council in the business sector and the wider community. This will be done by participating in community debates on important issues affecting our society where marketing has an impact.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas or thoughts on our NSW Council or any other marketing issues, please feel free to email or call me. My details are nicolaou@bigpond.net.au or 0419 400 038.”

I do hope Paul Nicolaou has a successful tenure!

I’ve just received a letter from the Australian Marketing Institute calling for nominations to the State Council.

Should I or shouldn’t I nominate myself?

The last time I was elected to the NSW State Council, I was not allowed to take my seat at the table.

Why you may ask?

Well…the good old dudes on the AMI’s NSW Council, supported by the Institutes CEO and a few Directors, got together and decided to ignore the Institutes constitution to stop marketers living outside Sydney being elected. Especially regional marketer’s.

I’d love to find out how long this has been going on!!!

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