Omnicom Group’s Oceania business will become a partner of The Marketing Academy’s Global Fellowship Program in 2026.
This move is aimed at supporting senior client-side marketers as they move toward broader executive leadership roles.
The Global Fellowship Program is designed for senior client-side CMOs and commercial growth leaders with ambitions to move into wider C-suite and chief executive roles, with 60 places awarded each year globally across two cohorts.
Backing senior marketing leadership
Nick Garrett, CEO of Omnicom Oceania, said the partnership aligns with the group’s broader view of marketing leadership as central to enterprise growth.
“We are fortunate to work alongside outstanding CMOs and CCOs in the region, leaders who are shaping enterprise strategy, driving transformation and influencing growth well beyond marketing.
“As part of our purpose to elevate CMOs and CCOs as engineers of growth and innovation in business, partnering with The Marketing Academy is a natural extension of that commitment, giving senior leaders the capability, confidence and clarity to expand their influence across the broader business.”
Omnicom said the partnership supports its ambition to invest in leadership capability that improves customer strategy, decision-making and the practical use of technology across organisations.
A program built for C-suite ambition
Brent Smart
Brent Smart, the Global Fellowship Alumni and Telstra CMO, who is part of the fellowship alumni network, said the program had strong value for senior marketers looking to extend their impact.
“I was already a big fan of the work The Marketing Academy does, then I got the opportunity to join the first ever cohort of the Fellowship program in Asia-Pacific.
“It’s a brilliant learning experience for any CMO who wants to make a bigger impact. We became a tight knit group of senior marketers as we went on this journey together, the biggest impact being that I now call them friends.”
Telstra’s Smart joined the first Asia-Pacific cohort as the fellowship expanded into the region.
The 2026 program will run from May to November, with residential sessions scheduled in Sydney and Mumbai.
Applications now open
Applications for Cohort 2 close on 30 March 2026, with the program targeting senior client-side leaders selected through a competitive application process.
Top Image: Omnicom