The battle of the boardroom at the Nedbank IMC Conference

The role of CMO has rapidly grown from one of pure communications to a role that now asks them to be brand custodians, customer experts, creatives, techno fundis and drivers of financial growth. Yet only a quarter of CMOs are invited to regularly attend board meetings, according to a Deloitte 2020 research report. They also tend to have the highest turn-over of all C-suite executives.

Andisa Ntsubane, managing executive: brand, marketing and communications for the Vodacom Group, attests to the evolved CMO role: “We have come a long way as Marketing, previously, we were perceived to be the people that focused on advertising and events but over time our role has changed to playing a leading role in anticipating customer needs and future sources of growth, whilst orchestrating organization-wide initiatives societal impact.”

Andisa Ntsubane

Together with Sitho Mdlalose, chief executive officer, Vodacom South Africa, Ntsubane will engage in a candid conversation around the relevance of marketing at the C-suite level. For Ntsubane and Mdlalose it is less about battling it out in the boardroom and more about alignment and cooperation.

Sitho Mdlalose

Facilitating the session will be marketing stalwart Sharon Keith. Currently, marketing director, Heineken Beverages, Keith is perfectly placed to ensure a no holds barred discussion. Her 30-year track record in B2C and B2B marketing extends to both the African continent and beyond.

Sharon Keith

Ntsubane and Mdlalose both have extensive experience spanning more than two decades. Ntsubane has proved his marketing leadership mettle in a multi-industry and multi-national environment, while Mdlalose’s business leader capabilities span finance, consulting, and management in both emerging and developed markets. Worthy opponents, or strong boardroom compatriots? You’ll have to attend Nedbank IMC to find out.

Dale Hefer, CEO of IMC says, “This year’s ever-popular CMO/CEO debate promises to entertain and inspire. Importantly, it will once again prove marketing’s credentials to have a seat at the boardroom table.”

In-person tickets to the Nedbank IMC 2023 on 15 September at the Urban Brew Studios are sold out. Book your virtual ticket and you will automatically be added to the in-person waiting list should you wish to be upgraded if a space becomes available

Virtual tickets priced at R1499 Excluding VAT

For more information and to book, visit www.imcconference.com.