Meet Brenna Ward, MA's very first member to complete our new Online Accreditation. Get to know Brenna below and hear why she decided to become Accredited through the MA.

1. Let's start with you. Tell us a bit about your role, how long you've been in marketing, and what a typical week looks like for you.

I am the MarComms and Event Advisor for Competenz, a B2B business offering apprenticeships and training solutions to 30+ industries. Simply put, I lead the event organisation (including the marketing and communications for the events) but also assist the wider team with campaigns. I am relatively new to marketing - I've been in my role for 2 years, having had no prior marketing experience. In a typical week I might be working towards 4 or 5 events at once, each with its own timeline, audience, and moving parts - from venue logistics and content development through to promotion and on-the-day delivery.

2. You're officially the first marketer in New Zealand to complete an MA Online Accreditation. What made you decide to go for it, and was there a moment or challenge at work that pushed you to invest in your development?

Exciting! I joined because I wanted to build on the marketing skills I had developed in my role and knew the Marketing Association was a credible and convenient place to do so. I had previously attended some Brainy Breakfasts, and had been lurking through the MA's website for a while, looking at training topics, so when I saw the Online Accreditations being introduced, I was keen to jump in. Because I came into a marketing team with no prior experience or formal training, I wanted to delve deeper into some of the topics that fell outside my day-to-day role.

3. The Core Skills Accreditation covers copywriting, social media, marketing plans, and digital essentials. Which workshop surprised you the most, and why?

The Secret Sauce of Copywriting. There were so many practical takeaways that I could apply immediately, and they made so much sense. I had considered myself an okay writer, but going back to basics and being reminded of the tools that hone good writing was really helpful! I feel much more confident with what I am doing now.

4. Can you share something you learned during the Accreditation that you've already put to work? We'd love a real example, big or small.

Might sound basic - but setting a goal when writing, which was one of the first things we covered in The Secret Sauce. Being clear about what you're writing and why you are writing it, the audience, and the action being asked. The landscape I work in is complex, with 30+ industries and different event types across those industries, so going back to basics and framing up the goal has helped a lot with clarity and simplifying.

5. Fitting professional development around a full-time job is the thing that stops most people. How did you make it work, and was it easier or harder than you expected?

I was lucky that my manager was very supportive of my development - I was able to block out the time in my calendar as part of my workday, so it felt seamless and easy.

6. Has completing the Accreditation changed anything about how you see yourself as a marketer, or how others see you? Confidence, credibility, that LinkedIn humble brag moment, all of it counts.

Definitely how I see myself, I feel much more confident in what I am doing and find I can contribute helpful insights to my team that I wouldn't have had before. I think my team sees the difference in my approach too, as I am coming at things with a bit more of a strategic lens now that I have a deepened understanding of marketing.

7. What would you say to a marketer who's on the fence about starting their own Online Accreditation?

If you're in the same boat as me and consider yourself a marketing 'beginner', the Online Accreditation is a really great way to broaden your knowledge and help you feel more confident.

 

If you're interested in MA's Online Accreditations, you can check them out here: https://marketing.org.nz/online-accreditations

We have Core Skills, Digital Marketing, Strategic Marketing, and AI Accreditations available.