Michael Apte Launches Sydney Marketing Community as Hybrid Work Drives Demand for F2F
- The Marketer
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Sydney Marketing Community (SMC), a new peer-led network for marketers in Sydney, has launched with strong early traction, responding to a growing gap as remote work reduces opportunities for connection
In two months, SMC has surpassed 1,000 members, with a survey of more than 200 marketing professionals reinforcing the need for more meaningful professional connections and peer-led learning across the industry.
Founded by Michael Apte, a senior marketing leader with nearly three decades of experience, including marketing leadership roles at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Cochlear, Optus and Samsung, SMC was created to respond to that gap. Through his own career, Apte saw a growing need for more accessible industry networks and opportunities for practical experience sharing beyond formal workplace structures.
The need is being felt across all career stages, from early-career marketers seeking greater exposure to experienced professionals looking to broaden their networks and industry perspective. It is often especially visible in the “missing middle” – marketers stepping into broader roles and responsibilities, but with fewer opportunities to build stronger industry connections and increase exposure.
The survey findings reinforce that demand. 70% of respondents said professional growth and networking are a priority, 71% want to learn from peers, and 80% wanted a focus on in-person networking events. With 73% of respondents working in-house, the results point to strong demand for more opportunities to connect beyond day-to-day workplace interactions.
Michael Apte said,
“Marketing is built on connection, but many of the informal ways people learn from each other, including day-to-day learning by osmosis, have become harder to access in hybrid environments.
What’s been encouraging is seeing so many marketers join up to seek out fresh perspectives and practical ways to keep growing in their careers.”
SMC soft launched in February 2026, and its early growth quickly accelerated the rollout of in-person coffee catchups and a broader events program. Dean Phizacklea, who is currently Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing at Cochlear and has held marketing and leadership roles at Abbot and AstraZeneca, headlines the next community meeting on 28th April. Future sessions will explore topics including marketing strategy, inclusive marketing and the evolving role of marketers in an AI world.
“There is a real opportunity to create a space for marketers to learn from peers, gain broader perspectives and build long-term networks. That organic learning is where community can make the biggest difference,”
Apte said.
SMC will continue to expand its events calendar, with morning and evening meet-ups designed to bring marketers together in practical, low-pressure formats. The community will continue to evolve based on member feedback, maintaining a community-first approach shaped by what marketers need most.
