Women To Watch: Finecast’s Tania David
At B&T, We are staunch believers that every woman and her achievements should be celebrated, every day and always.
However, unfortunately, the achievements of women often go unnoticed. That’s why we launched our annual B&T Women in Media Awards – to recognise the amazing accomplishments of women across the marketing, communications and advertising industry.
In honour of our WIM Awards, we’re chatting to industry powerhouses; women we should all be keeping an eye on — women to watch.
Today we’re hearing from Finecast head of marketing and business development Tania David.
I believe the B&T Women in Media awards are important as they inspire excellence, and fully support industry awards that allow us to recognise amazing talent. I’m looking forward to a future where a industry awards divided by gender is no longer needed. Furthermore, where industry awards categories serve to draw at least some attention to often-marginalised or underrepresented groups, like our indigenous colleagues and where the imbalance in roles that are available shapes what’s awarded. Today, that is not the case.
As a society, I believe in the importance to recognise and celebrate the academic, artistic and intellectual achievements of our brightest and brave. For example, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s work to end racial discrimination in the United States in 1964 (not to forget one of the most famous and influential speeches of our time “I Have a Dream”) was recognised with a Nobel Prize for Peace and brought recognition for his work.
The Nobel Prize is a great example of awards which ARE NOT divided by sex. Marie Curie and Mother Theresa are both equally important and notable recipients and when it comes to recognising academic, artistic and intellectual pursuits, gender should not be a cause for difference.
I would like to say there is no need for a gender specific awards category in our industry, I mean if it’s good for the Noble Prize, it’s good for us, right? But is it? Have you ever wondered why there are specific awards, such as the Academy Awards, which ARE divided by sex?
I’d like to think it’s the same reason why the Women in Media awards are so important. Although the skills and abilities of men and women are the same, the reality is, it’s not a level playing field. In our industry, we have a legacy of more men getting nominated, not because of overt sexism, but because men are more likely to have the types of roles which are more likely to be recognised in our industry awards categories. Until the barriers are removed and women are afforded the same number of high-recognition, high-profile roles that men are, there must be ways to shine a spotlight on high-performing women.
At GroupM and WPP we’re committed to changing this. Earlier this year I participated in a global WPP initiative, Walk the Talk, that’s part of a recognition that globally women are underrepresented in leadership roles and that this is not good for people, or business. It aims to provide women across our organisation with the training and tools to help them understand what they need to actuate their “bigger game”.
At the same conference, WPP’s John (Steady) Steedman announced WPP AUNZ’s 50:50 gender distribution by 2021, his commitment to “leveling the playing field” and building a more inclusive and diverse group of companies. I couldn’t be prouder of what we are doing as an organisation than I am today and writing this. When I think of the great leaders of WPP and our industry, it John Steedman and being part of this movement will go down in history.
I’ll never forget when Steedman said: “We’re going to be 50:50 by 2021 and if you’re not onboard, frankly I don’t want you in our organisation.”
The biggest impediment to equality in the workforce is not recognising the imbalance. Even with all the supporting facts and data, for some people there is still a sense of “I don’t see any problem” or “I’m not like that, so I don’t agree it’s important”. We can do better as industry to collectively accept that there is a problem and take radical action to change it.
The best advice I’ve ever received was an excerpt from JFK’s ‘We choose to go to the Moon’ speech:
“We do things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard …we choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too”
It brings me hope, as an industry, if we can use our collective energies and skills to focus boosting workplace equality, on leveling the playing field and changing the ratio, who knows where we may end up in history.
Quickfire Questions
Name the most influential woman in your life.
My mum, who is my rock, my inspiration, and my biggest fan.
What’s a little something everyone can do today that could potentially make a massive change in the struggle for equality?
Own the conversation and be part of the change, there’s no sitting on the fence with this one.
If you were PM, what law would you change/introduce right now to improve equality?
I’d make it my priority to improve equality laws in Australia, starting with addressing the gender pay gap, like when Iceland passed a law requiring companies to prove they pay employees of both genders the same back in 2017.
Please login with linkedin to comment
B&T women in media awards 2019 Finecast Tania David Women to WatchLatest News
TV Ratings 29/4/24: Farmer Wants A Wife And Lego Masters Lock Horns In Overnight’s Battle
Who won the battle of the big guns - Lego or Farmer Wants A Wife? One thing's for sure, it wasn't Great Train Journeys.
Nielsen Data Reveals Brands Spending Big To Attract Aussie Tourists
Nielsen Ad Intel data has revealed that the travel and tourism industry spent more than $153 million on advertising in Australia in Q1, 2024 – an increase of 8 per cent from the previous quarter, with TripADeal the biggest spender, followed by Virgin Australia, then the Flight Centre-owned Ignite Travel. As many Australians return from […]
IAS Awarded New Responsible AI Certification From Trustarc
Integral Ad Science tossing up over the mahogany or teak frame after being awarded TRUSTe Responsible AI Certification.
AWARD Calls For Hall Of Fame Nominations
B&T's noms for AWARD Hall of Famer includes Louis The Fly, Chums' talking Scottie dog & Mumbrella's coke dealer.
Havas Red Wins PagerDuty PR Account
Havas Red wins PagerDuty's PR. And judging by B&T having to Google PagerDuty, it could probably do with some help.
ACA Poised To Release Results Of 2023 Create Space Census
The Advertising Council unveils date for its census results. Hey, why not coincide it with an office lamington drive?
Why Fear Is Essential To Fernando Machado’s Creativity
If there's anyone B&T loves to chat to, it's fabled marketer Fernando Machado. Although the 5am time difference sucks.
Superdry Drafts AFL’s Patrick Lipinski For New Campaign
B&T fast regretting that poncho we just bought, as it appears the puffer jacket returns as winter's hottest trend.
Elon Musk vs eSafety: Legal Experts Warn That ‘Rogue Operators’ Like X Are Unlikely To Win Federal Court Battle
If this legal stoush boils down to who can afford the better lawyers, B&T's backing Mr Musk every single time.
Amy Poehler Presents First Look At Inside Out 2 At Vivid Sydney 2024
Vivid isn't about freezing your arse off while looking at lights on a wall, as you'll learn with this Amy Poehler news.
Mutinex Launches DataOS Improving Data Warehousing & Quality For MMM Marketers
Work in marketing? Does your data warehousing resemble a teenager's bedroom? Here's a Marie Kondo-approved read.
IMAA Celebrates Three Years Of Group Trade Credit Insurance Deal
Are you a struggling indie? Thinking of firebombing the building for the insurance money? IMAA has you covered here.
Adam Sandler Seemingly ‘Slams’ Ukraine In Pro-Kremlin Campaign
Host of A-list celebs caught slamming Ukraine's president. Thankfully it does have the Milli Vanillis about it.
New Marketing & Comms Agency For Defence & Aerospace Industry Takes Flight
As painful as this is to say, judging by current world events, the bomb & tank industries must be in rude health.
Opinion: Do Punters Want To Wear Your Brand?
This columnist asks do punters want to wear your brand? B&T'd say yes if you were Nike, no if you were Anusol.
WiredCo Builds Portfolio With Appointment To G.J. Gardner Creative Account
WiredCo 'cements' its relationship with home builder G.J. Gardner. Did you see what B&T cheekily did there?
Keep Left Reveals ‘Strategically Assembled’ Strategy Team
PR agency announces serious upgrade to its strategy offerings. Thankfully stops short of calling them Delta Force.
Initiative’s Michael Chong: What Do Mountaineering, Media & Marketing Have In Common?
Yes, B&T's running an inspiring mountaineering story. And this from people who won't come to work if the lift's broken.
CMOs To Watch: DrinkWise’s Part Time Builder, Part Time Marketer, Nathan Kent
Despite his love of DIY, B&T can't see Drinkwise's Nathan Kent in any "you can get it" VB ads anytime soon.
Mari Kauppinen Pops Up As MD Of ITA Group ANZ
Mari Kauppinen set to bring some zing, some song and some va-va-voom to her new role at ITA Group.
“It Is Getting Better But At A Glacial Speed”: PR Guns On Shaping A More Diverse Media Industry
B&T has a love-hate relationship with PRs. Love if they take us for a boozy lunch. Hate when you send releases as PDFs.
GoTransit Media Group Unveils The Power Of Regional Transit Advertising
Need reminding lots of people live outside the Surry Hills enclave? It's the regionals &, yes, they have almond milk.
Slew Of Promotions For Special Senior Creative Leadership Team
Special announces a slew of promotions in its creative team. And, no, they didn't order Uber Eats to celebrate.
Kantar: AVOD Subscribers Double In 12 Months
Study finds Aussies happy to watch ads on their streaming services. Or, are they just putting the kettle on more often?
Val Morgan Digital Exceeds All Campaign Uplift Benchmarks Via A 12-Month Brand Metrics Study
Val Morgan announces it has exceeded all its campaign benchmarks. Still can't get under an hour for the City To Surf.
Australian Retirement Trust launches monster of a campaign, by M&C Saatchi and Bohemia
Get offered a seat on the bus today? Knees creak like an old pirate's galleon? This retirement ad may be of interest.
Print Audits To Discontinue As Audited Media Association Of Australia Pivots To Support Influencer Marketing
Is it just B&T or are audits in the media industry suddenly becoming murkier than Roxy's husband's tax returns?
News Corp Australia Launches 2024 National Education Advocacy Initiative With Expanded Program
News Corp set to shine a light on the nation's schools in new series, giving illegal bikie gangs a well-earned rest.
Decoding The Consumer Maze: Urban List Report Reveals How Modern Shoppers Spiral From Discovery To Purchase
Latest report unravels a shopper's journey from the joy of discovery through to a nasty letter from a debt collector.
Cosmo Returns To Australia!
Ever get the feeling we've weirdly warped back to 1988 at the moment? Confirm it with the relaunch of Cosmo in print.
People & Culture Consultancy Human Kind Collective Launches To Plug HR Gap For Media Agencies
Does the very mention of HR have you struggling to remember last year's Christmas party? Get the sweats with this news.
‘We Want To Be A Growth Partner, Not Just A Media Buyer Or Someone That Makes Ads’ – Bohemia Boss On Agency’s Ambition
B&T's chatting with Bohemia boss Paul ‘Hutch’ Hutchison. Although we do think 'the dagger' a far superior nickname.
Initiative’s Geoff Clarke: ‘Youth Hits Targets With Enthusiasm, Experience Hits The Targets You Can’t See’
Initiative’s CCO Geoff Clarke on the value of experience in agencies. Not to mention quoting lines from Pulp Fiction.
The Iconic Teams Up With 5 Aussie Athletes For Latest Campaign
Fashion label brings in the athletes for new campaign, many of whom appear to have prepped with re-runs of Zoolander.
Seven West Media Secures New Director Of News & Current Affairs
After a tumultuous few weeks, Seven unveils director of news & current affairs. And B&T never uses tumultuous lightly.
Seven Network Expands NSW Sales Team With Two New Group Business Directors
Seven ramps up its NSW sales team. Both of whom are well versed in pronouncing Manu Feildel's croque-monsieur.