The Marketing Academy has appointed global Diageo CMO Syl Saller and founder of the Mini Marketing MBA Mark Ritson (main image) to its Board of Directors.

The Marketing Academy, which marks its 10^th anniversary this year, runs highly selective development programs for talent within marketing, media and advertising and has over 600 alumni of its program all of which are delivered free of charge.

Sponsored by global brands such as Facebook, Salesforce, Accenture, KFC and Mars, the Academy currently operates in UK, Australia and the US.

Sherilyn Shackell founder and Global CEO of The Marketing Academy said: “2019 was a big year for the Academy with the launch of The Scholarship and CMO Fellowship programs in the USA and expanding our Board is a key pillar in increasing our impact globally.

“I’ve known Syl and Mark for many years and have immense respect for them both. I have no doubt they will add tremendous value to the Academy and our community around the world”.

Saller said: “The Marketing Academy plays an incredibly important role in developing the next generation of marketing leaders in The Scholarship Program and exceptional senior leaders in The Fellowship programme.  I have been a huge admirer of their work for many years and am proud to be a member of their coaching faculty.

“The Academy’s approach to professional and personal development has been described as truly life changing for the people who make it through a highly selective process. The Marketing Academy team do genuinely inspirational work and I am thrilled to support them by joining the Board.”

Ritson added: “I’ve been speaking at and supporting The Marketing Academy from its inception ten years ago. I have been continually impressed with both the quality of the programs the Academy offers and the quality and high potential of the marketers their programs attract.

“So, I am delighted to join the Board along with Syl and the rest of the directors. Marketers need mentorship and life-long development more than ever and I can think of no better organisation than The Marketing Academy to provide this for them.”

The non-profit organisation is chaired globally by former Cannes Lions Chair Terry Savage and the current board includes Phil Rumbol Partner at MullenLowe Group, Steve Back Group CFO at MRH and Sally Cowdry Chief Customer Officer at Travelopia.