MediaCom Exec Says “We Need To Stop Looking At The World Through A Man’s Eyes”
As you should very well know, our Women in Media Awards are fast approaching – in fact, they’re only a month away! To celebrate this wonderful fact, and to get you excited to celebrate the inspiring women in this industry, we’ve spoken to one of the most diverse companies we could think of.
An impressive 50 per cent of MediaCom’s executive leadership team is female – meaning the company knows a thing or two about women in senior leadership roles.
Which is what our Women in Media Awards are all about! B&T believes in the notion of: if she can see it, she can believe it and then she can be it. And these leading ladies at MediaCom sure are something to look up to.
Gemma Hunter (pictured below) is the global executive creative director of MediaCom, and head of MBA Australia, said balanced and diverse leadership is important to any organisation, no matter the size.
“We are an industry that communicate to people, all people. Diversity is us as a nation.
To create great communication campaigns that truly resonate and drive behaviour change and purchase intent we must understand who we are talking to and what motivates and drives them. The best way to do that is with people that can naturally understand their audience,” she said.
And Katherine Williams (pictured below), managing director of MediaCom Brisbane, added that “diversity needs to be supported by equality” in order for everyone’s voice to be heard.
“I want to look to a future of our industry where there are more senior female chairwomen and CEO’s, where our male and female senior leaders work in strong partnership to offer diverse opinions that drive our industry forward.
“And I want to see more diversity than just gender, because diverse perspectives are valuable, especially when supported by an open mind to dream big and take action,” she said.
And MediaCom is definitely a diverse company beyond gender – the company’s CEO, Willie Pang, frequently speaks on diversity, and was even a panellist at our very own Changing the Ratio in May.
Nicole Boyd (pictured below), MediaCom’s chief client officer, said that the company’s management team work so well together because they have a diverse team, and a diverse set of skills.
“No individual gender can deliver on this diversity as both males and females typically bring a different perspective to the conversation.
“There is research that suggests that gender diverse teams perform better. It supports a healthy working culture where people can motivate and support one another to perform at their highest level,” she said.
“Females are strongly represented in our industry however; the challenge is the balance within senior positions within organisations and particularly at executive levels.
“I don’t think the question is why diversity is important but how can the industry better understand and support female leadership. There is still too much looking at the world through a man’s eyes and not enough understanding of females and what they bring to business,” Boyd added.
Within MediaCom, there are a ton of initiatives that support female leadership, including flexible working hours and programs around mentoring, leadership skills and wellness.
Chief investment officer Nicole Turley (pictured below) said her favourite is a leadership program for women called Walk to Talk – which is especially important because according to Turley (and a few international studies) businesses with more women at the helm do better.
“There have been many studies around the world identifying business with more female leaders at the top are more profitable, are more innovative and have greater employee loyalty,” she said.
Williams added that more and more younger women could be leaders without the title or role.
“Leadership isn’t necessarily related to a title or job description, so young women starting out can exercise leadership traits in their everyday work – by extending the hand to help others around them, by showing vulnerability to ask for help themselves with a willingness to learn and grow, to enthusiastically accept opportunities, and by knowing their worth and being true to their word,” she said.
And Boyd echoed a similar statement, but said that “leadership is key, regardless of gender.”
“Over my last 14 years with MediaCom and being part of the national leadership team, we have always had gender balance,” she said.
And as for why women are vital in this industry? Hunter said the question barely needed to be asked any more.
“The fact that we need to ask that question shows that we are still not there in terms of equality and diversity,” she said.
“The question we should be asking is, why anyone who doesn’t understand how vital equality is to our industry still has a job.”
B&T‘s Women in Media Awards 2018 will be held on Friday 17 August 2018 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf. Grab early bird tickets to the event here and find all other info on the website.
Latest News
Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital
Revium, a leading full-service digital and AI consultancy, has announced the appointment of Peter Bauld (lead image) as Executive General Manager. Revium is a full-service digital and AI consultancy with over 20 years of experience creating engaging digital experiences for leading organisations and their customers. Bauld joins Revium after an illustrious career spanning over two […]
EMG/Gravity Media Names New Managing Director
The makers of Australia's Got Talent has been a magnet for senior hires in recent times.
Opinion: Shark Tank’s Sabri Suby Slams Politicians Jumping On TikTok Ban Bandwagon
Are politicians actually scaremongering about TikTok or just fed up of you doom-scrolling in the work bogs?
TV Ratings: “Ivana Was Robbed” – Final Three Contestants Revealed On Australian Idol
B&T's unsure if these Idol contestants look extra young or whether we are as old as we feel.
Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]
Creative Content Studio OK COOL Answers APAC’s Call, Opening In Melbourne
Life set to get extra confusing for new agency staffers mistaking OK COOL for a pass-ag housemate text message.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels & Hipages Launch New Pie To Fuel Tradies While On The Tools
The pies should apparently be better for tradies' health, apparently but won't be better for on-site ribbing.
Women Leading Tech’s Woman Of The Year Megan Dalla-Camina: What’s The True Cost Of Cutting DEI Spending?
Cutting DE&I spending might seem easy but you might change your mind when faced with Dalla-Camina's ire.
Thrive Introduces A Batch Of New Senior Leadership Roles
You could say that Thrive is set to thrive with these new hires. But that would be too obvious.
It’s Coming Home! Sponsors Make Subbuteo World Cup Finals Free
No idea what Subbuteo is? You clearly had a more exciting childhood than our editorial team.
Media Bigwigs Bet On Predictive Intelligence Platform Prophet In $5M Seed Funding
Prophet, profit, geddit? Must be laugh-a-minute in this startup's office.
CommsDeclare Brands Shell Energy An “Olympic Gaslighter” & Urges Agencies Not To Pitch For Creative Account
And we thought the gaslight Olympics took place in the Coogee Bay Hotel smoking area!
AFL Wins Battle With Warner Bros. As New AFL Team Is Revealed
There hasn't been this much wrangling over a cartoon animal since, well, ever!
BBC Podcasts Go Global With Amazon Music
Ironically, BBC podcasts unlikely to be available in the Amazon given the lack of signal.
Johnson & Johnson’s Former Consumer Healthcare Arm Reviews Creative
J&J inspired by Scottish term for knowledge 'ken' in its rebrand; nothing says 'wise' like a shot of Listerine.
Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]
Adobe Brings Firefly Generative AI Into Substance 3D Workflows
Still unclear of what generative AI actually is? Steer clear of this story.
Clemenger BBDO Introduces Saucy Campaign With Declan Cleary & Lee Kum Kee
When we heard this was a saucy campaign, we thought it be the barbecue and ketchup showdown we'd been waiting for.
Gawk Acquires 40 Billboard Locations From Transad
Gawk makes it move out of VIC into NSW with acquisition. Has promised to stop going on about Melbourne nightlife.
All About Attribution: Commission Factory Releases New eBook
Ever wanted to dive deep into channel attribution? Consider this the perfect springboard.
SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]
RMIT Study Reveals That 73% Of Employees Don’t Believe Gen AI Is Relevant
Noticing staff switching off when you tell them about gen AI? Understand why here.
Australian Eggs Launches Egg-citing New Campaign Via Connecting Plots
How do you like your eggs in the morning? We usually skip them and go straight for the darts and whisky.
Future Lions 2024 Invites Young People To Be Heard With Spotify
Future Lions, of course, is the AKQA-backed student initiative at Cannes Lions, not a feeder for the rugby team.
QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]
Legend John McEnroe Joins Pepperstone’s Team Of Global Tennis Ambassadors
Despite the deal, McEnroe remains confused about difference between above- and below-the-line marketing.
LinkedIn Launches New Thought Leader Ads For Companies To Promote Member Posts
Though LinkedIn couldn't get any more insufferable? You thought wrong.
Latrell Mitchell Smacked On Wrist After Dropping Multiple F-Bombs In Post-Match Triple M Interview
Andrew Abdo has confirmed he is not angry... just disappointed.
TV Ratings: “When You Do Love Yourself, You’re Amazing” – Is This MAFS Most Heart-breaking Split?
Hold the press. MAFS groom and bride actually shown to be nice people.
Opinion: The Only Drag Marketers Should Be Worried About
Thought Transactional Drag was a lifeless club night in Newtown? Read this and you'll think again.
AWARD School Welcomes Class Of 2024
It's best to think of AWARD School like Survivor but with pitch decks instead of swimwear.
Interest In Motorsports Reaches New Heights As Formula 1 Grand Prix Revenue Expected To Surpass $100 Million
Need to get a dull sports client some quick results? Rustle up a Netflix series and watch the dollars roll in.
Chair Rob Murray To Depart As SCA Considers ARN’s Latest Takeover Bid
Struggling to make heads or tails of the SCA & ARN saga? Add this to your woes.
Adland Legend John Singleton Separates From Seventh Wife
Singo calls it quits with seventh wife as his race with Rupert Murdoch to become the most-married man continues.
ACCC Eyes Search Competition, Citing ‘Decreasing’ Quality & Rise In Generative AI
The only decline in search quality we notice is when B&T doesn't appear at the top of Google.
“Imagine A Career Above The Clouds”: Royal Australian Air Force Launches New Campaign Via VML
Don't worry about the forthcoming war with China - at least you'll get a bird's-eye view of the apocalypse.