Emilee Cocuzzo speaking at the new Hult AMA chapter at their inaugural event.
Deep Reflections
As I wrap up my Presidency, I wanted to briefly reflect about my journey at AMA Boston. At the end of 2020, I moved back to Boston from DC. I was looking for a community and joined an AMA Boston virtual event with the CMO of Dunkin Donuts. After the session, I met with Meg McGrath, the President of AMA Boston at the time, and I joined the Collegiate Committee and quickly became the Director and then VP of Collegiate. I took immense pride connecting students with AMA members. It was one of my favorite roles thus far in my career.
Now as President of AMA Boston, I get to work with some of the smartest marketers in the area!It has been a pleasure working with some of the most interesting and creative folks in the industry.
I quickly realized a few problems that stem in our community:
- In this competitive marketing environment, it is hard to keep up with the fast-paced industry.
- Often, networking events are made to one up each other.
- While, job seekers are constantly disappointed each time.
At AMA Boston, I have seen firsthand how a strong marketing community not only supports an individual’s career journey, but also their personal growth.
A Place to Learn and Grow
Since 1934, AMA Boston has been a long-standing cornerstone in the Greater Boston marketing community. Through our events, workshops, and networking opportunities, we provide marketers educational opportunities to grow and learn from other marketers.
For the last 90 years, we have been providing core educational events for our community and have stayed on top of marketing trends as they quickly evolved in front of us. For example, our recent panel on AI and inbound marketing showed how quickly the marketing world is being disrupted.
Beyond events, AMA Boston offers access to a wealth of resources. From curated thought leadership content in our blogs to informative podcast episodes from our 5-star rated Talking Marketing podcast (go Allen and team!), members are equipped with the tools to tackle their most pressing marketing challenges. This focus on continuous learning ensures our community remains competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing landscape.
Collaboration Over Competition
One of the greatest strengths of AMA Boston is its emphasis on collaboration. While marketing can often feel like a solitary endeavor, especially in competitive agency or corporate environments, our chapter fosters a sense of community. Our members come from diverse backgrounds from CMOs to students. Our superpower is the collective diversity of this group.
At our networking events, it’s not uncommon to see freelancers exchanging tips with agency professionals or students learning from senior marketing leaders. These interactions often lead to partnerships, mentorships, and friendships that extend far beyond the event itself.
What I am most proud of is the genuine kindness and openness at these events. I am often told that our events are some of the most welcoming events folks have been to. To me, that means the world to me. It brings me incredible joy to know that our events are a safe space for all – from people new to the city to AMA returners!
In this way, AMA Boston acts as a bridge. I am lucky to have met some of my closest friends and some of my favorite people through AMA Boston.
Driving Innovation
Boston has always been a hub for innovation. At AMA Boston, we are proud to contribute to this legacy. By hosting discussions on emerging trends like experiential marketing, influencer collaboration, and brand storytelling, we ensure that our members are at the forefront of industry advancements. More importantly, these discussions don’t happen in silos; they’re enriched by diverse perspectives from marketers across various sectors.
For instance, during our annual Marketing Innovation Summit, we bring together thought leaders to explore cutting-edge topics while encouraging attendees to share their own experiences. This two-way dialogue not only sparks new ideas but also positions Boston as a leader in the global marketing community.
The Power of Belonging and Embracing DE&I in Times of Uncertainty
Ultimately, what makes AMA Boston’s community so impactful is the sense of belonging it fosters. Marketing can be a challenging profession, filled with tight deadlines, high stakes, andconstant change. Having a network of like-minded individuals who understand these challenges can make all the difference. Through AMA Boston, our members find encouragement, guidance,and camaraderie that support both their personal and professional journeys.
We just hosted a Pride LGBTQ+ marketers panel. I am truly pro
Intergenerational Marketers
One of my proudest moments at AMA Boston was awarding the first AMA Boston collegiate scholarship in over 10 years. We awarded this prestigious award to a first-generation college student from Plymouth State University. As VP of Collegiate for two years, I loved getting to know the many college students who were so passionate about having a career in marketing.
As I said above, I am so happy to see CMOs networking with students at our events. I see a bit of hope for the future of marketing in these environments. I see that AMA Boston is truly intergenerational. Our Board is extremely diverse as well. We truly take pride in our work to make our community as inclusive as possible.
My Last $0.02
Though I will enjoy sleeping a bit more, I am sad to be stepping down. My successor, Jeff DeSocio, is one of the greatest! I am confident he will continue to uphold this legacy of AMA Boston and continue to make it truly special.
I am not going anywhere – I’ll still be at most events and assisting the team internally. My goalhas and always will be to grow this incredible chapter. We have done quite a lot in the last year. Here are a few key statistics:
- What I am most proud of is the community that we have built. When you come into an AMA Boston event, I hope you feel welcomed and included. Our theme this year was intentionality.
- In everything we do – events, podcasts, blogs, sponsorships, memberships, partnerships, volunteering, and collaboration – we carefully curate this community to be thoughtful and inclusive. As I always say to my team – from students to CMOs – everyone has a place at AMA Boston.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, AMA Boston remains committed to fostering collaboration, growth, and innovation within our marketing community. We’re excited to continue building a network that not only helps each of our valued members succeed but also elevates the marketing profession as a whole.
If you’re a marketer in the Boston area, I invite you to join this very special community. Together, we can learn, grow, and shape the future of marketing.
Thank you all for five wonderful years at AMA Boston. It has truly been one of my greatest honors to have served this AMAzing community.
Cheers to you all! And go AMA Boston!
