AMIN Worldwide Holds First Global Conference in Asia, Appoints New Americas Board of Directors and Shares Plan to Build Out Allyship

Survey Findings Reveal Indie Agency Members Seek More Collaborative Opportunities

The Advertising and Marketing Independent Network (AMIN) Worldwide held its annual global conference this week in Bangkok, Thailand The global conference brought together leaders from over 50 independent marketing agencies across the globe and was the network’s first global conference to be held outside the US or Europe.

Taking place at Bangkok’s Peninsula Hotel, the conference addressed the most significant technology and business challenges facing the advertising and marketing industries today. The conversation also addressed the allyship culture of AMIN and what it means to be an ally and tangibly work together around geography, capabilities, and capacity to forge strong partnerships and grow employees. In a recent survey, to date half of the Americas, APAC and EMEA respondents said they have partnered outside their regions and are seeking more collaborative working opportunities.

The global network also officially introduced their newly elected Americas board of directors. The Americas board oversees the network’s activities in North America and South America and coordinates with activities around the world. With elections happening every two years, this new board brings in fresh perspectives and revitalized leadership to a network that’s been running strong for over 90 years.

The new board is made up of eleven members, including nine returning members and two who are brand new to the board in 2023. Previous president, Ali Mahaffy, has transitioned to Board Chair with Kelly Ferguson transitioning from VP to President.

Ferguson, part of the Leadership Team at Meyocks Agency in Des Moines, IA, said, “Member sentiments are very strong about allying not just on day to day business but to ramp up offerings on everything from a Leadership Academy to Centers of Excellence.”

Misty Dykema, a Board VP and Co-Owner and Principal of Simantel, Peoria, IL, ran the study, and noted, ‘We are starting a true, long term conversation around the culture of AMIN and what it means to be an ally and how we want to work together.”

The full new AMIN Americas Board of Directors include:

Ali Mahaffy – Chair: Mahaffy is the Co-CEO at Signal Theory, a Kansas City, MO-based agency that’s been an AMIN member since 1984.  In prior terms, she served as President of the AMIN Americas Board of Directors and the Professional Development Committee Chair.

Kelly Ferguson – President: Ferguson is on the Leadership Team at Meyocks Agency in Des Moines, IA, which has been an AMIN member since 2009. He previously served as Vice President of the board.

Misty Dykema – Vice President: Dykema is Co-Owner and Principal of Simantel, an agency based out of Peoria, IL that has been a member of AMIN since 2006. Dykema has served on the board for two years as the Communications Committee (Comm Comm) Chair.

John Birnsteel – Board Member: Birnsteel is the CEO of Doe-Anderson in Louisville KY, an agency that has been a member of AMIN since 1984.  He also serves as the Recruiting Committee Chair.

Karen Stanton – Board Member: Stanton is the CFO of Slingshot Agency in Dallas TX, who has been a member of AMIN since 2013.  Stanton has served as AMIN Treasurer in the past and currently serves as the Shared Resources Committee Chairperson.

Brendan Cumiskey – Board Member: Cumiskey is the President of Dalton Agency, based in Jacksonville FL, which has been an AMIN member since 2004.  Cumiskey also serves as the Member Engagement Committee Chair.

Luis Mezzana – Board Member: Mezzana is the CFO of MARCA, a Miami-based agency that has been a member of AMIN since 2017. He is also a member of the Recruiting Committee

Tony Robinson – Treasurer: Robinson is the CFO of Signal Theory.

Michelle Edelman – Board Member: Edelman is the CEO at Peter Mayer Agency in New Orleans, LA, which has been an AMIN member since approximately 1970.  She also serves on AMIN’s Comm Committee.

Kerry Beutel – Board Member: Beutel is the President and CTO of White64 Agency in Tysons, Virgina, which has been an AMIN member since 2000. In addition to her new appointee to the Americas board of directors, she is also a member of the Member Engagement Committee.

John Gatesman – Board Member: Gatesman is the CEO of Gatesman Agency in Pittsburgh PA, which has been an AMIN member since 2017. In addition to his new appointee to the Americas board of directors, he is also a member of the Recruiting Committe

Source: AMIN

  Ali Mahaffy, AMIN Worldwide, Appointment, Board of Directors, Brendan Cumiskey, John Birnsteel, John Gatesman, Karen Stanton, Kelly Ferguson, Kerry Beutel, Luis Mezzana, Michelle Edelman, Misty Dykema, Tony Robinson