TORONTO — The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) and nabs Canada announced Thursday a new partnership to increase awareness of, and support for, programs provided by the nabs charity that assist professionals in the marketing and communications sector who face personal, career and family challenges.
“We are delighted to enter this partnership with nabs because of the scope and calibre of its programs, focusing on the health, well-being and development of all individuals in the media, marketing, production and communications industry in Canada,” John Wiltshire, president and CEO of the CMA, said in a news release announcing the new partnership. “The vast majority of the people nabs serves are connected to one of our members, and we are well aware of the profound impact of nabs’ assistance.”
Jay Bertram, executive director of nabs, added: “With more than 400 company members across the client, agency and marketing services sectors, the CMA represents the full spectrum of our charity’s constituents and provides a powerful platform to increase awareness and appreciation for how nabs helps our industry every day, respecting the confidentiality of people’s circumstances, and providing a customized circle of care to help support them. Working together, we can make an even more powerful impact on our changing industry.”
For more than 35 years, the nabs charity has been providing short-term financial assistance, professional workshops, private counselling and assistance programs to professionals in the broad marketing and communications sectors in Canada. Over the past year, nabs supported more than 3,000 individuals and their families. Programs and services are funded by the industry, for the industry, and available to individuals at no cost.
As part of the new partnership, the CMA will offer one spot in its Chartered Marketer program, a two-year designation program valued at $8,000, to an individual identified by nabs. Other partnership elements include speaking and fundraising at various events to raise awareness about nabs, an expanded presence at the annual CMA Awards, and partnering at business schools and colleges to ensure the people entering the industry are aware of all the services provided by both organizations.
“nabs is a critical and important resource that all our members can access and support,” said CMA board chair and former national nabs board chair Aldo Cundari, in the news release. “I have experienced first-hand how nabs supports individuals and their families in their greatest time of need. The industry needs nabs. As the leading marketing association in Canada, the CMA is proud to partner with nabs.”
