“A Diverse Workplace Is Simply Clever Business”: OMD’s Martin Cowie
In case you haven’t heard, we’re holding an event pretty damn soon to celebrate and promote inclusion and equality in our industry. You’ll walk away from Changing the Ratio inspired and ready to initiate change right now in your own organisation.
And with the event less than a week away, we spoke to one of the most diversity-positive companies we could think of about why events like these are so important in driving change.
OMD is one of the most diverse companies in the industry and the winner of the Agency of the Year Award at last year’s Women in Media Awards.
Martin Cowie is the people and development director at OMD, and said events like Changing the Ratio “create a forum where conversations and action on gender equality can take place.”
“We recognise that placing gender equality at the forefront of industry discussions is needed for positive change. We also know firsthand the benefits diversity has on our own business,” he said.
“Whilst I believe our industry is improving, there is clearly greater progress to be made.”
According to Cowie, men play a large role in making sure there is progress within the industry.
“As Emma Watson so articulately explained, cracking the gender issue requires men to stand up and become champions, rather than standing on the sidelines,” he said.
“Men are still over-represented at board levels, with women only representing around 27 per cent on ASX 200 boards. With so many men in leadership positions, they are key to driving change, so we must continue to engage them on this topic.”
OMD has had strong male leaders committed to change in the past, and the company’s current CEO, Aimee Buchanan, is particularly passionate in driving equality in our industry.
In 2017, the company launched multiple initiatives around diversity and inclusion.
These included unconscious bias training, national International Women’s Day activations, the implementation of a RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan), doubling their parental leave to 16 weeks and an official Flexibility Policy, which Cowie said was beneficial for all staff.
“We launched our official Flexibility Policy to benefit all individuals and allow staff to have greater control of when and how they work,” he said.
“Each employee had the chance to feed into the policy by having their say in a company-wide survey to understand exactly what they need and expect from a flexible workplace.
“Importantly, the results of our initiatives speak for themselves. 90 per cent of new parents returned last year which is an incredibly positive result.
“We’ve improved retention and lowered our churn rate, whilst also having our strongest commercial year ever,” Cowie continued.
But despite OMD’s recent successes, Cowie said there’s still more room for improvement in the industry.
“Whilst as an industry we are particularly active, there is still plenty of room for improvement. I personally would like to see more men in our industry involved in the discussions, creating change through their actions,” he said.
“Ensuring diversity is a key item on all company management meeting agendas is critical, as is making sure the discussions are inclusive of everyone.
“A diverse workplace is simply clever business. As an industry, we should all be embracing change in this space.”
Changing the Ratio will be held on May 28 at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre in Surry Hills. Grab tickets here, and for all other information, head to the website.
Please login with linkedin to comment
B&T Changing the Ratio 2018 changing the ratio Martin Cowie OMDLatest News
IAS Announces Google Ads Integration
Integral Ad Science (IAS) has announced it is the first verification company to integrate with Google Ads Data Hub (ADH), Google’s privacy-focused data platform for advertisers. The IAS integration provides advertisers viewability, ad fraud, and brand safety measurement for YouTube via ADH. While IAS does not collect or use any private audience data for delivering […]
Sunday TV Wrap: Ninja Finale Pulls Itself Over The Million-Mark
Last night’s Australian Ninja Warrior finale crept back over the million-mark, pulling 1.098 million viewers for broadcaster Nine. Not that we’ve seen the end of the ovelry athletic programme: a two-part special event, Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin, begins next Sunday. Ninja was the best of last night’s entertainment shows according to OzTAM metro […]
Q&A With Rare Co-Founder And Google Creative Director Tara McKenty
Google creative director Tara McKenty founded Rare in 2017 as a way to empower underrepresented groups across the tech, media and creative industries with the tools to drive more inclusive cultures. The two-day leadership masterclasses deal with issues such as unconscious bias, marginalisation and prejudice in the workplace in a way that ensures to promotes […]
Ad Standards Appoints Former ACMA Chair Richard Bean As Interim Director For Complaints Handling
Ad Standards confirmed today that it has appointed Mr Richard Bean as an interim Independent Director for Complaints Handling, to supervise the work of Ad Standards’ community panel and industry jury, after its former CEO left in June. “Richard has held senior management roles in both the private and public sectors. As a former Deputy […]
Telling Truth To Power Is One Of The Bravest Things We Can Do, Says Katie Rigg-Smith
Bravery and courage come in a lot of forms, but Mindshare CEO Katie Rigg-Smith says one of the bravest things women (and men) can do is continue to hold truth to power, no matter how difficult that might be. During this year’s B&T Women in Media Awards, presented by Bauer Media, we’ll be recognising exceptional people who […]
Commercial Radio Australia Unveils New Campaign
Radio is alive with possibilities for advertisers in the next phase of the commercial radio industry’s Radio Alive campaign, which promotes radio’s key strengths in delivering real results for Australian businesses at a time when they need it most. Showcasing radio’s strong reach, exceptional speed to market, ability to target new and existing consumers and […]
Ad Standards Appoints Richard Bean As Interim Director For Complaints Handling
Ad Standards has appointed Richard Bean (main photo) as an interim independent director for complaints handling, to supervise the work of Ad Standards’ community panel and industry jury, after its former CEO left in June. Ad Standards Chair, Mr David Scribner said: “Richard has held senior management roles in both the private and public sectors. […]
Burger King Reveals Drunk & Unruly Customers Behaving Badly In Riotous Ad For Its Home Delivery
The drunk antics of customers in a fast-food restaurant at 11pm would probably give most burger chain marketers more heart palpitations than one of the greasy triple cheese burgers. But not so Burger King Brazil, who has cobbled together iPhone footage of customers behaving very badly and turned it into a wonderful new spot spruiking […]
AANA: 68% Of Aussie SMBs & 87% Of Large Businesses Still Have Marketing Dollars To Spend In 2020
Half of Aussie marketers are waiting for better times before committing budget and shift to online set to accelerate, a new study by the AANA has found. Some 68 per cent SMBs and 87 per cent of large businesses still have marketing related spending budgeted for the next six months according to new research commissioned by […]
Nine Goes Virtual & Brings 2021 Upfronts Forward
Nine’s annual Upfront presentation is going virtual for the first time, with the 2021 event showcasing Nine’s television, radio, digital and publishing slate for the year ahead. Nine will use its virtual 2021 Upfront showcase to illustrate the way it works with partners in the short, medium and long term as society and business finds […]
Action-Packed Police Recruitment Ad Pulled For Looking Nothing Like Actual Police Work
A police recruitment ad has been pulled – and subsequently lampooned – for looking too much like an action movie and nothing at all like the day-to-day duties of the average police officer. The recruitment video for Guernsey Police has been taken down after being mocked on social media for the way it portrayed a […]
Optus Offers Victorians Free Access To Optus Sport
Locked down Victorians who don’t currently have an Optus Sport subscription will have complimentary access to Optus Sport from this weekend to enjoy the UEFA Champions League tournament plus access to premium health and fitness content through the Optus Sport app. UEFA Champions League – the world’s premier continental football tournament – kicks off at […]
Torrens University Australia Launches ‘Career Crush’ Via VCCP Sydney & Lash
Torrens University Australia has launched ‘Career Crush’ via VCCP Sydney and Lash, to help match students with a career they’ll love. Career Crush is an online quiz that determines prospective students’ personal strengths, passions and aspirations to match them with the careers and courses they’re most compatible with. One of the toughest decisions young people […]
Is Imitating An Accent Racist? 23% Of Aussies Think So
Study reveals it's no longer acceptable to call a colleague a "flamin' galah" or announce that "a dingo's got my baby".
Audi Unveils Latest Campaign ‘Raised By Racecars’ Via The Monkeys
Who doesn't love new work from The Monkeys? Unless, of course, you're a rival agency who just lost the account, that is.
Gaming Mums? The Key Demographic That Advertisers Are Missing
Study finds mums are turning to gaming. Apparently, not drinking 24 Red Bulls & living off Uber Eats while doing it.
Gen Z Men Say Feminism’s Gone Too Far & Makes It Harder For Men To Succeed
New study reveals Gen Z men now the fourth straight consecutive generation in a row to get the willies from feminism.
Study Finds Both Conservative & Feminist Women React “Positively” To Sexualised Advertising
This study's quite academic, so B&T has had to edit out the bits where we had no idea what the boffins were on about.
JCDecaux Brings Real Red Nose Day Heroes To life To Help Raise Funds For SIDs
We're big red nose supporters here in the B&T office. Admittedly, it's more a gin thing than a child charity one.
Pedestrian Partners With With NZ’s Mi9 To Expand Commercial Offering
Pedestrian Group has partnered with Nine subsidiary Mi9 New Zealand to offer NZ brands the opportunity to partner with the likes of Business Insider Australia, Pedestrian.tv and Gizmodo Australia. Next month, Mi9 New Zealand will be representing Pedestrian Group in the NZ market, offering clients the opportunity to work with leading youth publications including Lifehacker […]
triple J Hack’s Avani Dias To Work On Collaborative Four Corners Investigation
triple J's Avani Dias to work on a Four Corners investigation which will no doubt be depressing judging by Four Corners.
ACCC Admits It Doesn’t Penalise Influencers For Breaking Sponsored Content Rule
ACCC set to keep a keener eye on influencers, as Rod Sims reveals pearly whites thanks to Kendall Jenner whitening pen.
“An Inflection Point”: News Corp CEO On What The ACCC’s News Payment Code Means For Journalism
No one hates the tech giants quite like News Corp. So, expect plenty of the usual barbs, swipes, sprays & vitriol here.
Seven Announces Spotlight Investigations Team Covering Breaking News & Deep Dives
Seven unveils new 'Spotlight Investigations' team that B&T hopes will use a proton pack & Neutrino Wand to bust ghosts.
News Corp Earnings Slump 20%, As CV-19 And Local Assets Drag The Business Into The Red
Rupert sends threatening internal staff memo that he'll "release the monkeys", as News' numbers bleed red.
Thursday TV Wrap: Nine & Seven Thursday Night Footy Clash Sees AFL Come Out On Top
TV served-up the veritable footy feast last night. Or, if that didn't tickle your fancy, there were trains over at SBS.
Run, Don’t Walk! B&T Awards Entries Closing In Exactly One Week!
Hear that clock ticking? That's your one week warning for B&T Award entries. It'll be the steel drums next, we warn you.
VCNI To Launch SVOD Service Featuring ViacomCBS Content, Replaces 10 All Access
ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), a division of ViacomCBS, is launching a premium streaming service internationally, appealing to audiences of all ages. The new SVOD service will start its international roll-out early in 2021, offering exclusive premieres of all new SHOWTIME series, including Halo and American Rust. CBS All Access originals will also premiere exclusively on the new service, such […]
PubMatic Grows Team To 500, Set To Make Another 80 Hires In 2020
Much like the peacock's exotic plumage, this PubMatic news has its share of showing-off. Not that it's mating season.
“Buy A Hammer & F@ck Off!” ‘Chopper’ Read Reveals His Own “Karen From Bunnings” Ad
Let B&T end the week as we started it, with ANOTHER "Karen from Bunnings" story. Or, how we ended the week previous.
