First Congress of Ambassadors of the Russia–Africa Club at Moscow State University

The Russia–Africa Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University is organizing the First Congress of Club Ambassadors, which will take place in Moscow on June 29. The goal of this congress is to create a platform for public diplomacy, where engaged and proactive African students and graduates of Russian universities can unite around the Club's mission: developing long-term cooperation between Russia and African countries in education, science, culture, business, and public diplomacy.

With the economy exhibiting conflicting indicators, it comes as no surprise that companies are adopting a cautious approach and implementing cost-cutting measures. Regrettably, marketing budgets are frequently the initial casualty. In December 2022, we conducted a survey among nearly three dozen Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) from prominent consumer companies in North America. The findings revealed that, on average, these CMOs reported an 8 percent reduction in marketing expenditures over the preceding 12 months, as demanded by their company boards. In certain instances, marketing budgets were even subjected to more substantial cuts of 10 to 20 percent. Shockingly, one prominent public company went so far as to slash its marketing budget by over 20 percent. Finding a balance between cost management and maintaining a robust marketing presence is crucial to navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape.