Canadian Marketing Association

The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) is a national not-for-profit trade association established in 1967, serving as the voice of marketing in Canada. Its core mission is to champion marketing's powerful impact, acting as a catalyst to help Canadian marketers thrive by influencing change, enhancing skillsets, facilitating relationship building, and promoting best practices. The CMA also works to protect consumer rights and govern how marketing professionals communicate their messages. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, the association is managed by a full-time professional staff and guided by an elected Board of Directors.

The CMA offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including thought leadership, professional development, and networking opportunities for its diverse membership. A key offering is the Chartered Marketer (CM) designation program, Canada's only professional designation for marketers, which ensures professionals are highly qualified and up-to-date with industry best practices. The association provides various certificate courses, training, events, and resources, and actively advocates for the marketing profession with government and regulators. It also develops and upholds self-regulatory standards, such as the Canadian Marketing Code of Ethics and Standards. The CMA serves over 400 corporate, not-for-profit, public, and post-secondary members, encompassing major brands, agencies, research firms, and technology companies across Canada.

In recent leadership news, Esther Benzie was appointed as the new President and CEO, effective March 9, 2026, bringing over 30 years of diverse marketing leadership experience to the role. The association also unveiled a reimagined brand identity on June 18, 2026, in anticipation of its 60th anniversary in 2027. This rebrand draws creative inspiration from 1967 modernism, the year of the CMA's founding, reflecting its heritage while signaling its continued evolution and forward-looking direction. The CMA maintains its position as Canada's largest community-based marketing association, dedicated to strengthening marketers' significant impact on business across the country.