The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) has released a cutting-edge version of CMA NXT, and extended it beyond students and young professionals. This innovation will help all marketers navigate the next steps in their careers.

"Covid-19 changed our plans. We have broadened the platform to support not only university students and graduates, but also professionals in the early stages of their careers," said John Wiltshire, president and CEO, CMA. "It will also benefit experienced marketers who are looking to recharge their careers because of the pandemic."

CMA NXT provides insights, advice and tips through engaging videos and blogs featuring current hiring managers, marketers and business experts. The new platform design features a contemporary user experience and an intuitive interface based on feedback from beta participants.

"The platform is intuitive. It recommends relevant content for your career growth and professional development journey so that you can navigate efficiently and effortlessly. You can discover information tailored to your interests and needs, including the skills you want to develop, what hiring managers are looking for, and how to stand out with your personal brand," Wiltshire said.

Videos and blogs on the platform fall under three categories:

• Marketing Yourself, focused on building soft skills and showcasing your personal brand
• Roles in Marketing, describing diverse marketing roles and the landscape of the marketing industry
• NXT Exclusives, featuring content from CMA events including panels, keynotes, Q&As, fireside chats and more

As Canada's leading source for marketing and professional development, the CMA developed NXT content through its network of members across all major sectors of the economy, with participants from every discipline of marketing, including brands, agencies and research firms.

The platform is free for users thanks to the generous support of the Royal Bank of Canada.

"The platform will continue to evolve in the coming months with additional content and new features," said Sheldon Rodrigues, the CMA's associate vice-president, initiatives and strategy, who is spearheading this initiative.

Other features include a podcast, a YouTube show and a new video category on the platform called 'What's NXT'. These will provide additional insights from thought leaders and experts in the industry about how to effectively develop strategic career goals to thrive and keep up with technological advancements and a rapidly evolving work environment.

The beta version, which was aimed at post-secondary students and young professionals, was launched last year and was made available to students at a limited number of post-secondary institutions beginning in November 2019. The intention of CMA NXT has always been to create a community for individuals to develop as professionals, marketers, and business leaders with critical thinking skills. The CMA is excited to now offer the upgraded platform to a larger audience to help individuals across Canada upskill and enhance their professional journey.

For more information, email Shane Madill, Kaiser Lachance Communications.