In concert with its annual induction gala next Monday, Jan. 25, the Marketing Hall of Legends is launching a mentoring program.

The program was inspired by a MHOL and Hotspex survey of 215 industry members aged 20 to 70, which found that only 18% of marketing professionals have a mentor, although 88% would be interested in having one. Of those who are lucky enough to have the guidance of a mentor, 71% are mentored by fellow colleagues or managers which, MHOL asserts, can raise questions about the objectivity of the advice received.

The MHOL Mentoring Exchange matches over 50 top marketing execs with up-and-coming professionals to pass on their ‘legendary’ expertise on to the next generation. Mentors are from companies ranging from RBC Financial Group to Loblaw Companies Ltd., from CTV to Sick Kids Foundation.

Eight people will be inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends at Monday’s sixth annual gala, including Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson, Annette Verschuren of The Home Depot, Geoffrey Roche of Lowe Roche, Partners+Edell’s Marlene Hore, Francois J. Coutu and Jean Coutu of the Jean Coutu Group, Angus Reid of Vision Critical and Angus Reid Strategies, and Colleen Moorehead, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Signal Hill Equity Partners (formerly of E*Trade Canada).