ADMA is boosting its reach and capabilities by hiring data-driven marketing specialist Richard Harris to be the association’s new commercial director.

Harris will be responsible for increasing the association’s footprint into new sectors and regions. He will oversee the membership, education and partnership/sponsorship divisions of ADMA, and report to CEO Jodie Sangster.

“ADMA is now relevant to every industry vertical and sector thanks to our data-driven marketing mandate which has made us the largest marketing association in Australia. Many organisations are now coming to ADMA because they recognise the value of data and the importance of customer experience. We’re now relevant not only to the marketing industry, but also the advertising, media, PR, analytics and data science sectors. Richard will be responsible for growing our footprint, driving more value for ADMA members and delivering against our agenda in creativity, data, content, technology and customer experience,” said Sangster.

“Having Richard at ADMA is a strategic step. It’s essential to have someone from the industry leading us in this new direction,” she added

Harris joins ADMA from Inivio, the marketing division of VEDA, where he was director of client engagement for three and a half years. Prior to Inivio, he worked at data management company, Acxiom Australia, for five years as a senior consultant where he was responsible for new business development and sales support within the NSW team.

“ADMA has achieved great success in the last three years and is now Australia’s premier data-driven marketing and advertising association,” he said.

“The growth and relevance of ADMA’s education programs, its recent alliance with the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA), and the way the association nurtures young marketing talent are all excellent. Now we need to further develop the offer and also ensure we’re being cost effective,” said Harris.