HEAD of Research at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Mark Blayney Stuart will be the guest speaker at an Institute of Directors Isle of Man Branch event next month.

It takes place at the Claremont Hotel, Loch Promenade, Douglas, on Wednesday, February 9.

Mark will talk about marketing's role in the boardroom.

The lack of marketing's presence in the boardroom is a familiar issue for marketers that does not seem to be going away.

Mark will discuss:
 
• Is marketing seen as a less strategic part of business?

• Do marketers bring the problem on themselves by not demonstrating a firm understanding of balance sheets and knowledge of compliance?

• Should companies have a chief marketing officer?

Marketing-led companies like Apple and Diageo have indicated how a marketing presence in the boardroom can innovate the business model and ensure powerful bottom-line returns. It makes little sense to miss these possibilities by not having a marketing presence at board level. 

Using case studies and best practice examples, Mark's talk will argue that any company needs a representative of the customer on the board to ensure that strategies are built that bear the customer in mind.

Mark Blayney Stuart is the author of the 2010 CIM Shape the Agenda paper The Shape of Digital to Come.

The Institute of Directors Isle of Man Branch is running the event in association with the local CIM branch whose members will also be attending.

A special invitation is extended to all members of senior management, not just directors, along with all who have an interest in marketing.

The evening starts with sandwiches, tea and coffee from 6pm to 6.15pm and will finish at 7.30pm.

It is £8 for IoD members and £12 for non-members, payable on arrival.

To book a place e-mail Debbie Corlett at debbie.corlett@iomchamber.org.im or call 674941 by noon on Monday, February 7.