PRIA Launches Diversity And Inclusion Policy To Tackle Gender Inequity
The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) launched the industry’s first Diversity and Inclusion policy at the PRIA National Conference, with the key priority of attracting more males to the PR and communication industry.
The Diversity and Inclusion policy will act as a point of reference for progress, and a standard that will be used to promote the benefits of diversity and inclusion.
The policy was developed by PRIA Fellow Susan Redden Makatoa (pictured above), group managing director – corporate, Ogilvy PR, following a survey of practitioners and in consultation with industry leaders from N2N Communications, Deloitte, Destination NSW, Nous Group, The George Institute and SenateSHJ, as well as subject matter experts from The Diversity Council, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Australian Marriage Equality.
The PRIA commissioned the Online Research Unit (ORU) to conduct a survey of 500 practitioners to measure the makeup of the industry and ask about diversity and inclusion practices.
Mrs Redden Makatoa said one finding in particular was a standout.
“The profession is undergoing a generational gender shift – while numbers of men and women are even in the 44-54 age bracket, men aged under 25 represent just 18 per cent of practitioners. Overall, women make up some 76 per cent of the industry.
“PRIA is determined to address this shift to ensure better equity in our industry. The policy outlines PRIA’s commitment to:
- Partner with educational institutions to recruit more males into communication, media and other recognised degrees;
- Explore and accredit additional pathways into public relations and communication, eg VET courses and technical qualifications
- Actively engage and profile male members of the industry with the aim of increasing consideration from young males.”
The policy also identified that while the industry was on par with or slightly above the general population when it comes to Indigenity, LGBTQI, and people who spoke languages other than English, there was still work to be done in making workplaces more accessible and encouraging cross generational diversity.
“As someone who has benefited enormously from flexible working arrangements, I was particularly pleased to see nearly two-thirds of practitioners are able to work in this way. There was also overwhelming support for flexible working arrangements to be made available for all staff and not just parents and carers,” Makatoa said.
PRIA National President, Jennifer Muir said that the policy was developed because it’s simply the right thing to do.
“As an industry, we advise organisations on how to engage audiences of all types. If we want our communication activities to be authentic and credible, our workforce needs to reflect the diverse Australian population,” said Muir.
“We want to encourage work environments where people from different backgrounds and personal circumstances are valued, free from prejudice, and able to work and contribute successfully.
“PRIA is committed to make this the norm in our industry – and we’ll do this through education and advocacy, unconscious bias training, highlighting best practice, and seeking out and promoting mentoring and internships.
“Commitment to diversity and inclusion leads to more engaged employees, which helps attract and retain talent, and deliver sustainable benefits to organisations. This can only benefit the PR and communication industry,” Muir said.
Latest News
DoubleVerify Launches Publisher Suite For Digital Publishers
DoubleVerify has today announced the launch of the DV Publisher Suite, providing the measurement, insights and tools digital publishers need to improve ad delivery, assess inventory quality and maximize yield. For publishers, generating revenue has never been more complex. Today’s demand-side landscape consists of thousands of potential buyers, each with their own unique requirements, transacting […]
Australian Open Start Date Confirmed For Feb 8
The Australian Open has confirmed a start date of February 8, 2021 with strict COVID-19 testing procedures in place. Following weeks of negotiations with the Victorian government, Tennis Australia exec Craig Tiley confirmed the Australian Open had been given the go-ahead. As reported in the Herald Sun, Roger Federer and Serena Williams will start arriving […]
Verizon Media Launches ConnectedID As A Cookie-Less Solution
Verizon Media has announced the launch of its new unified identity solution, Verizon Media ConnectID. Built on the foundation of Verizon Media’s consumer-first values and market-leading advertising technologies, the new unified ID solution is designed to support advertisers, publishers and consumers as the digital landscape evolves away from cookies as a way to manage and […]
The End Of The IDFA Is Nigh: Preparing For Mobile Identity In 2021
Apple has laid out its plan to remove the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), marking a major change in mobile identity. In this piece, head of identity APAC at PubMatic, Harui Imaim, shares her thoughts on how advertisers can navigate these upcoming changes. This year has brought many changes, not least of which are shifts in […]
Val Morgan Outdoor Launches Next-Gen Screens At World Square
Val Morgan Outdoor (VMO) has secured an exclusive large format tender with next-generation, iconic screens at one of Sydney’s key retail, commuter and entertainment destinations, World Square. With market leading technology, VMO will deliver the ultimate immersive experience in the form of truly intelligent, curved internal LED screens and a hero screen spanning 8 metres […]
Yeesum Lo Joins 10 ViacomCBS As Head Of Development
It was announced today that Yeesum Lo will join 10 ViacomCBS in the newly created role of Head of Development. Reporting directly to Head of Programming, Daniel Monaghan, Lo will be responsible for identifying and developing locally produced Australian content across all channels and platforms in conjunction with the wider Network 10 team. Lo joins […]
Bunnings Light Up The Warehouse In Christmas Activation Via Bastion EBA
On Friday 27 November Bunnings launched their biggest ever Christmas activation, which was created and brought to life by strategic brand, commercial and experiential agency Bastion EBA. To bring a little magic to this Christmas, the activation involved lighting up one of their Melbourne warehouses, Bunnings Warehouse Maribyrnong. This resulted in a spectacular Christmas lighting […]
The Top 100 TikTok Creators, Trends And Videos In 2020
TikTok has always been about bringing people together to inspire each other and share moments of joy. It’s also a place to find your community, no matter your interests. This has never been more important than in 2020. From devastating bushfires, to a global pandemic that introduced us to social distancing and loss, to community […]
Fleur Head Steps Into MD Role At VMLY&R New Zealand
VMLY&R NZ announces Fleur Head is stepping into the role of Managing Director VMLY&R New Zealand following the resignation of current MD James Mok. Head was previously Managing Director of VMLY&R Wellington. Wellington-based Head, who has more than 25 years agency and management experience across both the Auckland and Wellington markets, will lead VMLY&R NZ […]
Spotify Wrapped 2020: Bad Bunny Tops Most Streamed Artist
Bad Bunny tops Spotify's most-streamed list for 2020. Which certainly begs the question - who the hell's Bad Bunny?
Wild Turkey And Matthew McConaughey Recognise Aussie Local Legends
Wild Turkey and Creative Director Matthew McConaughey, in partnership with Eleven, unveil a new Wild Turkey With Thanks initiative. The integrated campaign is shining a light on Australian Local Legends who have stood with conviction supporting their environment and communities throughout the crises of 2020. Wild Turkey’s With Thanks is a global, annual platform, wherein […]
ABC Responds To Oz Allegations Over Four Corners: “We Don’t Use Private Investigators”
ABC's Four Corners saga looked all set for a rather juicy twist. However, someone's de-juiced it by denying it all.
AIA Australia Partners With Yet Another AFL Team
AIA Australia has announced that it is now the official life, health and wellbeing partner to the AFL’s St Kilda Football Club. According to the company, the new partnership will provide club members with learnings, tools, and strategies that they can use to lead healthier lifestyles. Members will at the same time receive access to […]
These Are The Most Engaging Christmas Ads Of 2020
Did your Christmas ad not make this year's top 10? Ready your flimsy excuses for when the client calls with this.
“Ageism Is Alive & Well” Why Ad Veteran Steve Allen’s Appointment Is Proving Such A Big Deal
We won't tolerate ageism in any shape or form here at B&T. But if our editor plays Neil Diamond one more bloody time!
Apple Ads Spark $16M Lawsuit
Apple has been fined $16 million for misleading ads. Tim Cook pays it with loose change from behind the couch.
Seven Heaps More Pressure On Cricket Australia As It Threatens To Sue For “Millions”
Advertise on Seven? Looking forward to your annual knees-up in its corporate box at the cricket? Shelve those plans.
AppsVillage Partners With TikTok To Allow SMBs To Advertise To TikTok’s Aussie Users
Small to medium sized businesses will now be able to advertise on TikTok through SaaS solutions provider AppsVillage (ASX:APV). APV will allow SMBs to create and manage campaigns on TikTok in under three minutes using its AI software and advertising management platform JARVIS. The partnership makes the most of TikTok’s self-service advertising offering which launched […]
“Jules & Vincent Are Back!” John Travolta & Samuel L Jackson Reprise ‘Pulp Fiction’ In Oddball Christmas Ad
Bank ad reprises classic 'Pulp Fiction' moments. Mercifully sans the Gimp or that scene with the samurai sword.
How People-Based Identity Will Change The Way Marketers Think About Success
Work in marketing? Is your measure of success keeping your gout under control? Think again with this informative read.
DDB Sydney Grows Creative Team By Six
DDB Sydney announce six new recruits and, sad as it is to report, not a hula hooper or sword swallower amongst them.
Guide Dogs Australia Launches ‘An Experiment In Trust’ Via Thinkerbell
Not that it's explicit on the brief, but if there's ever a pitch where you play it straighty one-eighty it's Guide Dogs.
“This Is A Match Made In Heaven”: Salesforce Acquires Slack For $37.6 Billion
Did your careers adviser suggest tech but you stubbornly chose advertising? Realise the folly of your ways on this news.
Study: Wine Now Aussies’ Favourite Tipple, As We’re Downing 100 Million Alcoholic Bevvies A Week
Here's the latest stats into Australia's drinking habits. B&T staff apparently receiving "high achieving" status.
Verizon Media Sets Out ‘Advertising For Good’ Agenda At 2021 Showcase
B&T was a lucky attendee at the Verizon upfronts last night. Unfortunately, not taking home the garden gnome door prize.
New Campaign Urges Aussie Ad Creatives To Get Real About Gender Equality Messages
Feel terrible your ads aren't inclusive, gender neutral & diverse enough? Feel the screws tighten a little more here.
Psembi Kinstan Joins McCann Melbourne As Executive Creative Director
Highly-awarded Psembi Kinstan joins McCann Melbourne. Thought better of bringing his medals & certificates on first day.
MediaSmiths Appoints Jack Geraghty As Senior Account Planner
MediaSmiths appoints Jack Geraghty as senior account planner. Excellently, deploys wind machine for press photo.
DOUBLESTAR CO Turns Technology Stunning With New Brand Livery For Australia’s Own Advanced Navigation
To keep pace with their transformative technology, Advanced Navigation turned to DOUBLESTAR CO for art direction, 3D modelling and design help that would capture the value proposition and offering of Advanced Navigation: AIR, LAND, SEA & SUB-SEA for their upcoming campaign “Accurate positioning in the most demanding conditions”. Advanced Navigation’s Head of Marketing Romain Pare […]
Nine Announces First Hires For Powered Enterprise
B&T would love to report that Spock, Scotty & Leonard McCoy had been hired for Nine's Enterprise but, alas, not to be.
