News Australia has strengthened its relationship with The Marketing Academy to champion marketing excellence and invest in the industry’s future leaders. The collaboration creates a year-round connection between the nation’s leading news publisher and the country’s most influential CMOs, marketing leaders and emerging talent.
The expanded commitment includes four marquee events in 2026, plus premium content and thought leadership sessions through The Growth Distillery’s insights and research program. This content will support The Marketing Academy’s Alumni and Fellowship programs, as well as its Virtual Campus.
News Australia Client Partnerships Managing Director Lou Barrett said: “Marketers are looking for partners who stand with them, understand their challenges and help them grow. The Marketing Academy is a values-driven organisation that lifts the capability of our industry and shapes the leaders who will drive its future. We are committed to supporting that ambition because stronger marketers mean stronger outcomes for our clients and for the broader Australian market.
”The Marketing Academy Founder and Global CEO Sherilyn Shackell said: “News Australia shares our belief that investing in marketing leaders creates stronger businesses and a stronger industry. Their commitment to excellence and leadership development aligns perfectly with our mission to equip the leaders of today and tomorrow with the tools, networks and confidence to drive meaningful change.
”The 2026 program kicks off with the Food for Thought series, a think-tank style event that brings together The Marketing Academy’s community for discussions on the industry’s biggest themes. The first event will feature a fireside chat with advertising legend Sir John Hegarty moderated by The Growth Distillery’s General Manager Leigh Lavery, exploring creativity as a driver of business growth. The session will be filmed for distribution across both organisations. Three additional themed events with global keynote speakers will follow in June, August and November.
The 2026 initiative builds on two years of collaboration between News Australia, The Growth Distillery and The Marketing Academy, underpinned by the Unfiltered and Dynamic Duos vodcast series.
