AMC welcomes more French-speaking African countries into the fold

A high-level delegation from Le Club Marketing Avis+ joined members of the AMC leadership team for discussions and to sign the AMC Membership Agreement. There was also a handover of the AMC Membership Certificate and Member Trophy, followed by a handover of AMC and Le Club Marketing Avis+ membership pins to the respective delegations. 

Speaking during the ceremony, Avis+ CEO Euphrem Odilon Gbaguidi, who is also a prominent African market research executive, outlined the club’s low-key beginning in Benin as a forum for senior marketers and market researchers to get together and discuss common interests – including the challenge of a lack of suitable data in Africa. 

Marketers in Togo came to hear of the concept and wanted to become involved. Côte d’Ivoire followed, as did other Francophone nations on the continent. 

Today, the activities of Le Club Marketing Avis+ include a conference and an awards event. It also has its own one-year certification programme for leaders.  

“Our members are very proud to join the African Marketing Confederation and be part of the global marketing conversation,” said Gbaguidi, referring to the AMC’s partnerships with various international marketing bodies. 

Concept of pan-African marketing umbrella body 

Also speaking during the ceremony, AMC President, Helen McIntee-Carlisle, said the confederation had been formed following a meeting of marketers from several African countries in Livingstone, Zambia in 2011. 

The concept of pan-African umbrella body for marketing associations, which would seek African solutions to African marketing problems, had taken seed then and had subsequently evolved into a body with 16 member countries – including Tunisia and Morocco from French-speaking North Africa. 

“The AMC has exploded; I think the timing is right for Africa and I think everybody is interested in Africa,” McIntee-Carlisle said. “We have recently signed memorandums of understanding with the Asia Marketing Federation, European Marketing Confederation and CIM UK, as well as being a founder member of the new World Marketing Council. 

“This is all part of our effort to put Africa on the global stage in terms of marketing and marketing solutions. There is so much interest from Asia and Europe in Africa because of our young and growing population, as well as our expanding economies and potential for the future. We are very excited.” 

Addressing the Le Club Marketing Avis+ delegation, McIntee-Carlisle emphasised: “I am thrilled to have greater representation from the French-speaking countries, so that we can begin to be a truly Africa-wide organisation.” 

Says Le Club Marketing Avis+ in a social media post: “This step strengthens our visibility, expands our collaboration opportunities and further values the expertise of our Avis+ leaders. Together, let’s raise the standards of marketing in Africa.”