Blab Business
Australian Advertising Bodies AANA and ADMA Merge to Form Marketing Association of Australia
On July 1, 2026, two of Australia’s most influential marketing bodies will fold into a single entity. The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) and the Association for Data‑Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA) will combine to form the Marketing Association of Australia. The merger will be overseen by AANA and led by its chief executive, Josh Faulks.
AANA, headquartered in Sydney, has long championed advertisers, agencies, media owners and platforms across the country. ADMA, which grew out of the former Australian Interactive Media Industry Association and now sits within the Australian Computer Society, focuses on data‑driven marketing, technology, education and responsible practice.
An internal email from ADMA’s parent CEO, Prins Ralston, confirmed that the new organisation would carry the name Marketing Association of Australia – a detail that was not in the public release but was later reported by Mumbrella.
In a media release announcing the merger, Faulks said the marketing industry is “at a defining moment” and that the move is about meeting that moment. He added that the combined body would deliver “stronger leadership, a more influential collective voice, deeper capability and a more connected community, while protecting Australia’s world‑class self‑regulatory system.”
Jenni Dill, chair of AANA, echoed that sentiment, stating the industry “needs a clearer and more influential voice.” She explained that uniting the two bodies would create a platform with the scale and influence needed to champion marketing’s role in business growth and innovation. Steve Brennen, ADMA’s deputy chair, highlighted the complementary strengths: ADMA’s specialist expertise in data‑driven marketing and technology, and AANA’s broader industry reach.
The merger will not disrupt existing member services. AANA confirmed that all current member services, events, education and training programmes will continue as planned through the transition period. ADMA’s roughly 600 corporate members are expected to transition to the new entity, preserving their access to industry resources.
Industry observers note that the consolidation reflects a broader trend of professional bodies merging to increase influence and streamline operations. By combining resources, the Marketing Association of Australia aims to provide clearer guidance to marketers navigating rapid change and uncertainty, particularly in areas such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and the evolving digital advertising landscape.
The new organisation will serve a wide range of stakeholders, including brand‑side marketers, agencies, media owners, platforms, publishers and the wider data, technology and customer experience community. Its leadership structure will place Faulks at the helm, with support from AANA’s board and ADMA’s existing leadership.
The merger is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Members of both AANA and ADMA will be notified of any procedural changes and will receive guidance on how to engage with the new body. The industry will watch closely as the Marketing Association of Australia begins to shape its agenda and policy positions in the months ahead.
The consolidation marks a significant shift in Australia’s advertising ecosystem, positioning the new body to influence policy, standards and best practice across a rapidly evolving market.
AANA, headquartered in Sydney, has long championed advertisers, agencies, media owners and platforms across the country. ADMA, which grew out of the former Australian Interactive Media Industry Association and now sits within the Australian Computer Society, focuses on data‑driven marketing, technology, education and responsible practice.
An internal email from ADMA’s parent CEO, Prins Ralston, confirmed that the new organisation would carry the name Marketing Association of Australia – a detail that was not in the public release but was later reported by Mumbrella.
In a media release announcing the merger, Faulks said the marketing industry is “at a defining moment” and that the move is about meeting that moment. He added that the combined body would deliver “stronger leadership, a more influential collective voice, deeper capability and a more connected community, while protecting Australia’s world‑class self‑regulatory system.”
Jenni Dill, chair of AANA, echoed that sentiment, stating the industry “needs a clearer and more influential voice.” She explained that uniting the two bodies would create a platform with the scale and influence needed to champion marketing’s role in business growth and innovation. Steve Brennen, ADMA’s deputy chair, highlighted the complementary strengths: ADMA’s specialist expertise in data‑driven marketing and technology, and AANA’s broader industry reach.
The merger will not disrupt existing member services. AANA confirmed that all current member services, events, education and training programmes will continue as planned through the transition period. ADMA’s roughly 600 corporate members are expected to transition to the new entity, preserving their access to industry resources.
Industry observers note that the consolidation reflects a broader trend of professional bodies merging to increase influence and streamline operations. By combining resources, the Marketing Association of Australia aims to provide clearer guidance to marketers navigating rapid change and uncertainty, particularly in areas such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and the evolving digital advertising landscape.
The new organisation will serve a wide range of stakeholders, including brand‑side marketers, agencies, media owners, platforms, publishers and the wider data, technology and customer experience community. Its leadership structure will place Faulks at the helm, with support from AANA’s board and ADMA’s existing leadership.
The merger is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Members of both AANA and ADMA will be notified of any procedural changes and will receive guidance on how to engage with the new body. The industry will watch closely as the Marketing Association of Australia begins to shape its agenda and policy positions in the months ahead.
The consolidation marks a significant shift in Australia’s advertising ecosystem, positioning the new body to influence policy, standards and best practice across a rapidly evolving market.
