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The Fellowship

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Global Fellowship
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Global Fellowship

Enabling Marketing Leaders of today to become the CEOs of tomorrow

“The Marketing Academy provides the best marketing leadership programs in the world”

 – Syl Saller CBE, former Global CMO Diageo

The EMEA Fellowship is sponsored by

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The Marketing Academy Global Fellowship Program

Delivered in partnership with

The Marketing Academy Global Fellowship Program, designed and delivered in partnership with McKinsey & Company is a highly exclusive, free, part-time program giving a select group of exceptional CMOs & marketing leaders a unique C-Suite level executive development experience.

The program is designed to provide CMOs with access to board-level thinking and development in all elements of Board stewardship, ensuring that marketing leaders accelerate their knowledge and experience to take on a future CEO or broader C-Suite roles.

Why apply?

  • Fellows are immersed in one of two highly curated cohorts, each with no more than 30 exceptional leaders from across the globe. ‘Fellows’ are hand-picked not only for their credentials but for the distinctiveness of their perspective — from different markets, industries, cultures, and life experiences. The result is a group dynamic, with peers from around the world, that becomes one of the most valuable assets of the program.
  • If your career ambition is to move toward CEO / President / broader C-Suite roles the program will give you the tools you need
  • A recent survey of our Fellowship Alumni showed that post completion of the program 57% have moved into CEO / C-Suite roles & 32% have been promoted or moved to bigger CMO roles

Established in 2013 in Europe and 2019 in the US and 2023 in APAC, our Alumni have come from global B2C and B2B brands and have said the program has been instrumental for their career progression. To view our Global Fellowship Alumni click here.

“The Marketing Academy Fellowship Program is a fabulous learning experience: it provides an opportunity to stimulate your mind and reflect on your own career, it provides the context and the insight to consider and define what career path you may want to pursue and equips you with real insights about your own leadership journey that will be invaluable in defining how to reach the goal that you set for yourself” Cristina Diezhandino, Global CMO, Diageo

Program Format & Dates

Download the full Program Guide here.

The Global Fellowship Program is delivered in two regional cohorts:

Cohort 1 – events take place in Europe/UK/US (TBC) 

Cohort 2 – events take place in APAC

Applicants may apply to EITHER cohort regardless of country of residence but must commit to attend both Residential dates of their chosen cohort.

Cohort 1: EMEA/USA Feb 23rd Feb to September 11th  

  • Residential 1: Feb 23–27 | Kitzbühel, Austria
  • Virtual Day: June 10
  • Residential 2: Sept 7–11 | UK or USA (TBC) 
Cohort 2: APAC May 25th to November 27th 
 
  • Residential 1: May 25–29 | Sydney, Australia
  • Virtual Day: July 22nd 
  • Residential 2: Nov 23–27 | Mumbai, India

The Curriculum

Delivered across 7 months (circa 10 days total time), the curriculum includes:

Attendance to 2 X 4 day immersive ‘Residentials’ plus 1 X 1 day Virtual session during which delegates experience:  

  • C-Suite Strategy & Stewardship Curriculum developed & delivered by McKinsey & Company, covering Corporate Finance/ M&A, Decision Making for CEOs, Building High Performing Boards, Organizational Health, Business Transformation, Shareholder/stakeholder influencing and more
  • Leadership Immersion: CMO to CEO 
    A powerful journey led by Thomas Barta, Global Dean of the Fellowship, alongside McKinsey and industry experts
  • Unparalleled Peer Exchange
    A confidential environment of openness, trust, and challenge among equally driven leaders

In between the Residential events delegates also receive:

  • Mentoring by Global Board Chairs and CEOs
    Direct insight and guidance from those already occupying the seats Fellows aspire to
  • Board-Level Executive Coaching
    One-on-one partnerships with accredited coaches, selected by Wisdom8 and experienced at the top tier of leadership
An additional benefit of selection to the Fellowship Program:
  • Team Access to The Marketing Academy Virtual Campus
    Extending the development journey to your wider team through a 12-month online learning platform

This is where the world’s CMOs learn from each other, surrounded by peers who challenge, expand, and elevate you.

Selection Criteria, Process & Dates

The Global Fellowship Program has been designed for time constrained individuals. It is anticipated that the program will take up to 10 days.

To be considered for a place on the program you will:

  • Be the most senior marketing or growth leader (e.g. CMO, CGO, CCO) in a client-side brand*
  • Have 20+ years track record in marketing or commercial roles, with at least 5 years in the top seat**
  • Report directly to CEO, President or C-Suite Executive
  • Be leading large teams, manage significant budgets, and hold (or have held) full P&L accountability
  • Have a clear career ambition to become a CEO or to hold more senior C-Suite role critical to company’s growth
  • Have non marketing leadership during past career 
  • Enjoy a proven reputation within the marketing industry
  • Be employed on a permanent basis with no known risk of termination / resignation or redundancy for the duration of the program 
  • Be fluent in English and able to attend all program dates in full (for chosen cohort)
 *The Fellowship Program is not designed for leaders within creative or media agencies. 
**Flexibility on tenure may be considered for candidates with exceptional track records


Key Dates: 

Fellowships are awarded by invitation only following a selection process
 
Applicants must submit:
 
  1. Completed Application Form
  2. Full CV or Resume
  3. Written Employer Endorsement (preferably from CEO)
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a conversation with selection panel members prior to final selection.
 

Cohort 1: EMEA/USA 

 
Application Deadline: 3rd November 2025
Selection Panel: 17th November to 24th November 2025 
Selection Decision: w/c 8th December 2025 
 
Program Dates (full attendance at all events is mandatory) 
  • Residential 1: Feb 23–27 | Kitzbühel, Austria
  • Virtual Day: June 10
  • Residential 2: Sept 7–11 | UK or USA (TBC)
 

Cohort 2: APAC 

Application Deadline: 30th March 2026
Selection Panel: April 7th to April 17th 2026 
Selection Decision: w/c 20th April 2026
 
Program Dates (full attendance at all events is mandatory) 
  • Residential 1: May 25 – 29 | Sydney, Australia
  • Virtual Day: July 22nd 
  • Residential 2: Nov 23 – 27 | Mumbai, India

Program Costs

Program fees: Zero – In line with our founding principles, The Marketing Academy delivers the Fellowship Program free of charge.

Delegates cover only their 8 nights accommodation along with breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners & beverages for all Residentials. These expenses are invoiced to the delegate or their company (at cost), by The Marketing Academy, upon acceptance to the program:

  • £2,900 GBP / €2,900 EURO / $3,900 USD / $5,800 AUD 
    (Inclusive of all meals, beverages, tips and service charges)
Delegates are also required to arrange and pay for their own flights and transfers to and from the residential venues.
 

Elements of the program are being delivered by:

Academy People

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Featured Scholar

Featured Coach

Scholarship

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