Australian EdTech platform Commsgrad, which provides re-imagined communications career pathways to empower the next generation of diverse storytellers, has announced its industry pledge acknowledging the current lack of diversity of voice within the industry to work toward tangible improvements across the industry by 2030.
Chief Executive Officer of Media Diversity Australia Mariam Veiszadeh says: “Media is a megaphone for culture – it not only reflects but has the incredible power to create and influence social and cultural norms. The faces, voices, stories and perspectives that are reflected back at audiences have broad implications.”
Veiszadeh continues “While we are starting to witness a palpable push from many newsrooms to have their journalists and commentators reflect the broader community and by default, the wider conversation, more needs to be done to ensure that the next generation of diverse storytellers in the communications industry is keeping up pace.”
Industry Pledge – We recognise the current lack of diversity of voice in the media and communications industry in Australia. We recognise that Australia is a multicultural country and the storytellers for brands, businesses and organisations should reflect the diversity of our population. We are committed to helping improve the diversity of our next generation of storytellers and are taking tangible steps towards contributing to the industry goal by 2030. We are a diverse employer, everyone is welcome.
Agencies can register for the pledge and share the assets to signal their commitment. Their agency will be listed on the Commsgrad platform as a way for students and communications professionals to confirm their commitment. Registration takes three minutes and carries an annual fee that helps Commsgrad continue to support the younger talent in the industry.
Commsgrad Founder and Managing Director of Bango PR, Michelle Bates (Ex Network Ten and Red Agency) says “Commsgrad is dedicated to contributing to improving diversity of voice not only in media and communications, but ultimately the voice of businesses and organisations. Bango PR was not exempt from having a lack of diversity in our team. We realised we were part of the problem.”
Bates continues “My favourite part about Commsgrad is that internship hosts can’t choose who they are assigned. It is chosen at random using technology, eliminating any potential unconscious bias. We have seen incredible outcomes for both students and hosts over the last two years, with many placements being employed directly with their hosts as a result.”
Arpan Malhotra, international student at University of Queensland says “Many internships require prior experience and long hours. I had reached out to more than 100 businesses, and I had only 5 responses. Commsgrad changed how I could secure an internship.”
Commsgrad is currently in consultation with agencies, industry bodies, Media Diversity Australia, academics and students to identify a specific goal that focuses on tangible contributions to improving diversity in the media and communications industry by 2030.
