Adland’s Reckoning With Misogyny Is Long Overdue
As a journalist, and as a feminist, reporting on instances of misogyny and sexism can prove difficult. We are bound by the idea of impartiality.
Journalistic training often leads us to believe that if you report the facts, the truth will come out and justice will prevail.
Then why do we still see abuses of power? From derogatory comments about women in the workplace, to harassment from clients, to the silencing of women in cases of assault or abuse.
This is the reality of the world we live in in. Unfortunately, misogyny is still a pillar of our society. By extension, it is a pillar of the media and marketing industry, too.
Misogyny is so endemic we now have cliches about what it looks like. Phrases like “a post #MeToo era”, and the palpable hatred of assertive “bossy” women while assertive men are praised.
We put women in ad campaigns and hold International Women’s Day brunches, but fire them when they return from maternity leave.
These acts of discrimination are repeated over and over again, and still, it feels like very little changes.
I am 23, and the fact that sexism is as entrenched and palpable in our world as it was when my mother was my age is particularly disheartening.
Perhaps that sexism is occasionally less overt, but it’s still a pulsing current of disenfranchisement, frustration and uncomfortable laughter.
We have, of course, had progress. In adland, we have an impressive cohort of wonderful female leaders.
But we still haven’t had a cultural shift away from misogyny.
Ultimately, misogyny thrives every time a man’s comfort is prioritised over a woman’s happiness, success, or mental health.
So, here are some facts about misogyny, which apply to every industry:
One: We are all complicit in misogyny, whether it is intentional or unconscious, because of the patriarchal values that dominate our society. The world isn’t divided into ‘misogynists’ and ‘nice people’. That’s why actively fighting misogyny is so important.
Two: Misogyny needs to be acknowledged and actively addressed, because it has negative consequences for all of us, regardless of gender.
Three: Women’s lives are ruined to preserve the careers of ‘nice’ men.
But don’t just take my word for it.
Antoinette Lattouf, award-winning journalist, co-founder of Media Diversity Australia and author of the upcoming book How to Lose Friends and Influence White People :
There are so many examples of sexism I have experienced in my career as a journalist, but one stood out to me because it was wrong on so many levels.
I had just turned 30, and one of my colleagues who was about 20 years older than me said, “Oh, happy birthday”. After I thank him, he went on to say, “You look great for 30”.
I was like, “Okay, weird. Thanks.” And then he continued, “You know, given you’ve had children”.
I just thought, okay, we’re getting weirder, and then he said:
“You know, it’s all going to go downhill from here. So enjoy it while it lasts.”
I thought he was going to apologise for the awkward, weird comments he had made, but then he continued, and said, “You know, but like, given your heritage and your olive skin and stuff, you might have a couple of good more years in you. Maybe that heritage has come in handy after all.”
I was like, wow, this is sexist, ageist, mum-ist, racist! It was everything in one, packaged and masqueraded as some kind of compliment.
I remember walking away thinking, “Mate, you’re not easy on the eye, you’re not a great journalist, and, you know, you have pretty average personality, too. I didn’t go around giving you a report card.” But these are just one of the many casual comments that women have to face. If you are a woman of colour, or a mother, or a person with a disability, there are just extra layers to those microaggressions.
In Australia, we just disguise all of our ‘isms’ with casual humour as though it’s meant to be okay, but it’s not.
Now, I wish I had said ‘no, thanks’ – not accepting the birthday wishes, not accepting this as a compliment. But I walked away, and that was that. I wish I had handled it differently.
Sunita Gloster, CEO of Gloster Advisory, Senior Advisor at Accenture, and Advisor to UN Women Australia :
Every woman I know in the industry has a story involving misogyny, sexism, pay inequality or worse still, bad conduct or sexual harassment. Either from their personal experience or of someone they know. Every woman.
Zoe Scaman’s recent blog ‘Mad Men and Furious Women’ calls it out in fury inciting us to ‘fire up the floodlights’. =Rightly so. Gender inequalities are the biggest human rights issue of our time, and our industry is notoriously not immune.
But this isn’t a problem of awareness, nor a lack of reaction.
When the floodlights switch on, we circle the wagons, everyone is horrified, we discuss the issues in leadership meetings, someone might even lose their job, we restate our commitment, strengthen processes and policies, and believe change could be real.
But the dogs bark and the caravan of outrage moves on. Until the next brave woman tells her story, or the next man steps on a self-made landmine.
It was five years ago, a senior industry leader on a global stage felt so assured as to declare that gender equality and the lack of women in leadership roles was not an issue in the industry or his agency network. He blamed the lack of diversity on a lack of ambition.
Obviously, he didn’t last long in his role after those comments. But it was an important floodlight moment, triggering a comprehensive and global outpouring with all and sundry publicly distancing themselves from his deplorable diatribe. Diversity and inclusion are business imperatives that will not be negotiated, we all affirmed.
What gets measured gets improved, and we’ve proved it. Parts of the industry show real progress in their census data on pay, representation and promotion, but the opening gambit still remains, every woman has a story. Because the hubris which was so plainly evident in that leader five years ago is just the tip of the iceberg. Only last week a young, senior woman in an agency told me she still feels the need to pretend she’s not a parent in her agency. I was lost for words. Her story, and others like it, don’t make the census.
As an industry, we focus our attention on the tip of the iceberg stories. We‘re drawn to headlines heralding good or exposing ugly. The twin peaks of celebration or scandal. But how big is the iceberg under the water’s surface? The ‘every day’ stories of bias, sexism and bad conduct that get swept under the carpet of business as usual. The stories not captured in the ‘census’ nor worthy of headlines.
The real challenge is how we bring the entire iceberg into visibility. Only then will we reckon the unconscious scale and ubiquity of what lies between good and ugly.
Not easy for an industry whose fulcrum is reputation. ‘Firing up the floodlights’ with fury frightens us all. It is why anonymity is still for most, the only safe harbour. And then, at a company level, stories that could be industry-wide learning experiences are usually submerged under non-disclosure agreements.
So, I commend B&T for continuing to spotlight women, our achievements, our stories and our industry’s challenges. Because unfortunately, there are still many among us that will have read the opening paragraph with disbelief. If that is you, please take a moment to read Zoe Scaman’s blog.
Then look into the detail of the recent Wunderman Thompson UK sex discrimination case – it’s a pivotal moment for the industry. It warns of a looming industry battle of the sexes as we remedy our gender imbalances and reputation.
As advertisers increasingly move to mandate diversity, equality and inclusion throughout the marketing supply chain, the watchout is the impact of those mandates and the discomfort some will feel as a result.
The link between who we are and what we create is now what’s in the floodlights. Equality and diversity within our ranks are deemed essential ingredients to enable us to serve our customers, serve their customers. To not address any imbalances within our make-up is at best commercially negligent and at worst destructive.
Unchallenged, harmful stereotypes are the root cause of gender discrimination and inequality. Cultural shifts in attitudes are the key to changing behaviour and the systems that perpetuate society’s inequalities.
That’s what we do. Our dime is earned in changing attitudes and behaviours. We take this responsibility seriously, yet harmful stereotypes still eke out in our product, our creative work, through our media and technology.
Our opportunity is to lead the way to acknowledge, accelerate and improve the status and security of women. Notwithstanding, the representation and inequalities around mobility, LGBTQI and cultural diversity also on the agenda. A rising tide will lift all boats.
As an industry, we stand tall in our reputation as growth drivers and influencers of culture. As a profession, we are trained to listen to the voice of the customer and observe their experiences. But are we doing enough to listen to the voices within our industry? And to bear witness to the stories that sit between the good and the ugly.
Sexism and gender-based biases within our industry have a destructive ripple effect across society, And it’s on our watch. Acceptance is the first step to change. The question is, are we there yet?
Cindy Gallop, founder of BBH USA, MakeLoveNotPorn and If We Ran The World:
I’m often asked in interviews, “So Cindy, what sexism did you experience coming up through the ranks in advertising?” And my response is: a fish does not know what water is.
With reporting from Alexandra Coulton
Featured image source: iStock/Nuthawut Somsuk
Latest News
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): Emotional Lego Masters Goodbye Does The Numbers For Nine
And we thought Lego could only make you cry when you accidentally stood on a piece.
Lisa Wilkinson AM To Join Cannes In Cairns As Keynote Speaker
Multi-Award Winning Journalist and TV Host Lisa Wilkinson AM to speak at Cannes in Cains, sponsored by Pinterest.
Mamamia Names Natalie Harvey As New CEO
Mamamia has today announces the appointment of Natalie Harvey as Chief Executive Officer.
‘The Media Has A Way To Go On Diversity’ – Diversity Council Leader Lisa Annese On Industry Diversity And Why Sunita Gloster Is An Important Addition To Their Board
Few are more qualified than a Gruen regular to knock adland and the media into shape on diversity.
Mike Shows Up At A Wake And Still Hasn’t Seen That Show, In Latest Instalment Of ‘I Saw It On Binge’, Via Thinkerbell
Why is it we pay for 19 SVOD accounts namely due to FOMO but then rarely bother to watch the shows anyway?
Flexiroam Partners With Specialist Agencies To Launch “Ready For Anything” Global Campaign
Do you return from overseas with Bali belly, a possible STI & a huge phone bill? FlexiRoam may help with the last one.
Samsung Unveils Power Of AI To ‘Upscale Every Moment’ With Neo QLED 8K
Got mates who brag about their 83-inch, 10K resolution, OLED screen TV? You're just as bored & baffled as all of us.
Media-Wize Wins AUSCERT PR Account
Media-Wize calls itself "a media training and technology and cyber security PR agency". Think nerds with better hair.
Snapchat Taps Gelato Messina In New Brand Campaign
B&T needs little tempting to scoff more Gelato Messina. Apart from having to go up a size.
Travel Insurer Trippi Draws Ire From The Brazilian Embassy Over Cheeky Brazilian Ad
There's a very fine line between "playful" and "utterly offensive". These ads are almost a dictionary definition of it.
Racing NSW Hits Tabcorp With Legal Action Over $6 Million Revenue Loss
Here's some horse racing news that thankfully doesn't require a silly hat or passing out in a nearby rose bush.
AI Tools Such As ChatGPT Leading To ‘Content Overwhelm’ Among Marketers
Study says tech leading to an avalanche of content for marketers. Not to mention having to read the instruction manuals.
Stake Appoints 72andSunny As It’s Creative Partner
72andSunny nabs Stake's creative. And by that we mean the investment platform, not the nemesis of all vampires.
61% Of Aussies Want Corporate Australia To Stay Away From Social & Political Issues Leo Burnett Study Finds
Do you love a study that appears to fly in the face of every study before it? Be mesmerised by these results from Leos.
Brendon Cook, OAM, Inducted into the OMA Hall of Fame
Other than Australia's typically pleasant weather, no one's done more for outdoor than the former oOH! boss.
New Campaign Highlighting Renewable Gas As A Crucial Component Of Energy Transition
It's hard not to make a renewable gas ad sound like a tedious Year 9 science lesson. So well done to the agency here.
Love Media Welcomes Alana Dowling As New Client Director
Seasoned media pro Alana Dowling joins the Love Media team. Clearly replacing someone who didn't love it
B&T 30 Under 30 – Where Are They Now? Until Recently, Prison!
A prestigious 30 Under 30 gong can get you headhunted, promoted or, in this instance, a two-year stint in the slammer.
“We Will Never Tell A Journalist What To Write” – Nine’s Aimie Rigas On How Data Is Shaping News
Data becoming the journalist's tool for more engaged content. Still not beating dodgy MAFS contestants or a Kardashian.
Beware The Bad Guy. Billie Eilish Fans Brace Themselves For Scammers
Thought getting Tay Tay tickets was an unimaginable nightmare? Read on as Billie Eilish promoters say hold my beer.
Twilio Names Chris Koehler As CMO
Chris Koehler named as Twilio's CMO. Which may prove a prickly tongue twister after a lengthy open bar tab.
ARN Announces Ad Sales Partnership With The Athletic
Can we slow the rotation of the sun? Because that's the only way we'll fit all these new podcasts into one day.
Burger Wars Continue As Hungry Jack’s Brings Back The Big Jack & Mega Jack
Hungry Jack's' Big Mac ripoff set to return after recent legal win. Still no one racing to clone the Filet-O-Fish.
Diverse Voices, Sustainable Choices: Natalie Dean-Weymark On Why Sustainability Is A Non-Negotiable
Here, Compass Studios' Natalie Dean-Weymark talks diversity in media. It's the human equivalent of the Family Assorted.
New Partnership Between The Sweetshop And The Gardening.Club
Thought you'd be getting tips on aphids & fungus gnats from this Gardening. Club news? Prove yourself totally wrong here.
‘A Very Rare Breed Of Creative’ – Clemenger BBDO hires Chief Creative Officer
B&T's chatting with Clems boss Dani Bassil on Adrián Flores CCO appointment. We never got to Italian or Thai herbs.
Concrete Playground Debuts Innovative Urban Exploration Platform With Lexus As Launch Partner
Concrete Playground announced the launch of its redesigned website in partnership with Lexus. This partnership introduces a new era of urban discovery, enabling a deeper, more intuitive engagement with cities through a state-of-the-art digital platform. Revolutionised Digital Experience Concrete Playground’s website has undergone a significant transformation, designed to enhance the way users interact with their […]
Mindshare And The Brand Agency Take Top April’s New Business Rankings
Which agencies soared like an eagle for the month of April? As in stellar performance, not Eddie the hapless ski jumper.
Suntory BOSS Coffee Fuels Ambition With New Campaign From It’s Friday
Does your workplace have a strict, policed illegal drug policy? Then Suntory BOSS Coffee will have to do.
Resolution Digital Wins MyPlates Media Account
The best thing about personalised number plates is it makes spotting wankers on the road far easier. And drug kingpins.
Debunking The “Three Year Lie”: A New Approach To Retail Digital Strategy
This columnist says it's wrong to claim digital always has a three-year pay off. Has no opinion on the seven-year itch.
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): The Farmer Is Back And He Wants A Wife
It was a good night for lovers of farming and love.
The Growth Distillery Unveils The New Rules Of Influence
The New Rules Of Influence has arrived. And there appears to be no "difficult second album" syndrome here.
Whittaker’s Launch New Brand Platform, ‘Hello Chocolate Lovers’ Via Bastion Shine
New Zealand chocolate brand continues its insidious march into the Aussie market. Much like New Zealanders themselves.
Tyro Shows They Are ‘Into Business Big Time’ With New Brand Campaign Via Howatson+Company
Think finance isn't funny? Think again with this fun work. Yes, it still applies to funeral homes & Clive Palmer ads.
IAB Study Finds 66% Of Advertisers Have Five Or Less Years Experience With Affiliate & Partnership Marketing
Study finds advertisers & agencies not overly experienced with affiliate marketing. The opposite to networking drinks.