Marketing is absolutely everywhere. Whether you're on your phone, driving through a city, or even just talking to a friend about a new product they've tried, you're interacting with marketing in some way.

That’s why the International Day of Marketing exists. It’s a day to appreciate the role marketing plays in our world, driving business growth, and connecting people with the things they care about the most.

Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out in the industry, this day is a moment to reflect on the impact of our work, recognise the skills behind it, and share in the power of marketing done well.

What is the International Day of Marketing?

Held annually on 27th May, the International Day of Marketing is about celebrating the value of our industry and the incredible talent that drives it. It’s a moment to recognise not just the campaigns that grab headlines, but the everyday work that shapes how people think, feel, and act. From building brand trust to influencing buyer behaviour, marketing plays a powerful role in our daily lives. It supports thriving businesses, sparks cultural conversations, and helps build connections with the world we live in.

Although it’s still gaining recognition across the wider business community, the day offers a chance to recognise the powerful nature of marketing. While celebrating amongst peers, it also encourages those outside of the profession to understand how much goes into the work that shapes the way we engage with everything around us.

Why marketing is worth celebrating

Marketing goes beyond ‘just a sale’. It’s about understanding people and the psychology behind our behaviours, solving problems, and helping brands connect with audiences in a way that’s meaningful to them. It’s also a space where creativity meets strategy. Great marketing is backed by a wide range of skills, from storytelling and design to data and psychology.

There are many well-renowned models that underpin great marketing, including the 7Ps of Marketing (product, price, place, promotion, people, process and physical evidence), and the five stages of the customer buying journey (awareness, consideration, purchase, retention and advocacy). These frameworks not only show the depth and complexity of the work behind campaigns and customer experiences, but also how widespread marketing is across a business.

So, if you’ve ever built a great campaign, introduced a content idea that people loved, or even helped a customer find the right solution for them, you’ve made a difference. And that’s something worth celebrating.

How to get involved on 27th May

The day is for everyone working in marketing, regardless of how long you’ve been in the industry or what type of specialism you’re in. Whatever your marketing career looks like, there are so many ways to get involved:

Shout out a marketer you admire

Has someone inspired you along the way? Maybe it was a mentor who got you through a tricky time, or someone you love on social media. Let them know what impact they’ve had on you or what you appreciate about their work. This will make their day more than you can imagine!

Share what marketing means to you

From your proudest career moments to your favourite brand campaigns, use your platform to share what you love about the industry. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #CelebrateMarketing so others can find and join in too.

Reflect on your own journey

What have you learned this year? What’s one thing you’ve overcome, or one win you’re proud of? Reflection is powerful. You could even write this down somewhere safe and reopen it on International Day of Marketing 2026. This could be a great way to reflect on your ongoing journey, whilst also setting goals and intentions for the year ahead.

Start a conversation

You could jump on a call with some colleagues, get chatting on LinkedIn, or even ask your non-marketing friends how they perceive the industry (this is always a fun one to do). The more we talk about marketing, the more people can begin to understand its value.

Upskill and explore

Use the day as a chance to explore something you’ve been curious about. Whether it’s brand positioning, email strategy or asking someone you admire what their biggest tip for career growth is, there’s always something new to pick up.

Recognising the people behind the work

Marketing professionals wear a lot of hats, we know this. They’re content creators, strategists, data analysts, storytellers, brand builders… the list goes on. Although we love to see the campaigns that go viral, there are so many individuals that are working behind the scenes, often unnoticed, driving real value in a huge range of businesses.

Working in marketing takes resilience, creativity and curiosity to thrive. We’re seeing now more than ever there’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to a marketing career, and that has become a huge testament to the talent and skills across the industry. Many marketers work freelance, juggle side hustles, or pivot from generalist roles to find their specialism. Others come into the industry later in life or through non-traditional routes.

The International Day of Marketing is a reminder to celebrate the people who keep this industry moving forward. Whether you’re building a brand from scratch or refining a long-standing one, your work matters.

The importance behind the day

Sometimes, we’re so focused on hitting our deadlines or launching campaigns that we forget to look at the bigger picture. But taking the time to celebrate marketing as a craft helps us step back, reflect, and be proud of the difference we’re making.

It also helps those outside the industry understand what marketing is really about. It’s not just ads and social posts, but insight-driven strategies that shape entire industries. The more understanding the industry has, the more celebration, recognition, and opportunities we can receive.

It can even help inspire future marketers. Whether they’re studying now or still figuring out what they want to do, seeing others share their stories and celebrate the profession can make a real difference.

Final thoughts: Let’s #CelebrateMarketing together

So, this 27th May, let’s take a moment to recognise your work, appreciate your peers, and shout about the value marketing brings to the world around us.

Whether you’re sharing a LinkedIn post, reflecting on your own career journey, or spotlighting a great campaign, your voice helps build the wider conversation. And if you do post, don’t forget to use #CelebrateMarketing so we can all be part of it together.

Here’s to everything we’ve achieved so far, and everything still to come.

Happy International Day of Marketing.

Celebrate your successes as a dedicated marketing professional, elevate your visibility and support your career progression by becoming a CIM member today! Members unlock exclusive content, benefit from discounts and gain access to a marketing community that helps you achieve your professional goals.  

Find out which membership suits you here