The Experience Advocacy Taskforce (EAT) has announced the appointment of four of Australia’s media and advertising industry’s most respected leaders as official ambassadors, marking a significant step forward in its mission to challenge ageism and reshape the industry.
Joining EAT as its newly appointed Ambassador team are UK-based Sherilyn Shackell, founder and global CEO of The Marketing Academy; John Sintras, executive growth officer at Mutinex; John ‘Steady’ Steedman, former COO of WPP; and Dee Madigan, founder and executive creative director of Campaign Edge.
Collectively bringing more than 125 years of local and international experience, the newly appointed Ambassadors will advocate for the value of experience within the industry, champion the role of more mature professionals, and highlight the importance of older consumers.
“I am incredibly proud to welcome four industry icons as official Ambassadors who are passionate about EAT’s cause and making a difference in our industry. Having four industry legends with a raft of local and global experience advocating for our cause will send a powerful message to the industry that actions speak louder than words, and it’s time for change,” said Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham, founder of EAT.
After three years of building awareness and engaging the advertising community, EAT is entering its next phase, with the appointment of these high-profile Ambassadors reinforcing the urgency of eliminating ageism in all its forms.
“I’m proud to support EAT because this is not just an inclusion issue, it’s an industry effectiveness issue. When we overlook experience, we don’t just fail people, we weaken leadership and commercial outcomes. In an industry that prides itself on ideas, innovation, and growth, it makes no sense to sideline people whose judgment has been earned through decades of building brands, businesses, and teams. We have an obligation to challenge outdated assumptions and create a more balanced, effective, and respectful industry for the next generation,” added Sintras.
“The ad industry has figured out middle-aged women buy things but hasn’t figured out that we also know things. That needs to change. EAT gives me the perfect platform to advocate for this change,” concluded Madigan.
As Ambassadors, the group brings global credentials and credibility to EAT and will play a key role in amplifying EAT’s message and driving industry-wide change, ensuring experience is recognised not as a legacy, but as a competitive advantage.
EAT was founded in 2023 by Greg ‘Sparrow” Graham to work alongside Industry Bodies and Leaders to increase understanding and awareness of ageism and its effect on the industry, with an ultimate goal to change how people think, feel, and act about ageism.
Since its inception, the Taskforce has closely collaborated with the MFA, IMAA, Industry HR teams, Advertising Industry Careers, various Independent agencies, and all four holdcos; plus taken to the stage at industry conferences and events; and implemented a targeted PR campaign in its quest to reframe, reinforce and redress workforce ageism across Australia’s media industry landscape.
EAT, which advocates for an equal and diverse media and advertising workforce and an industry that values experience, has become an annual fan-favourite quiz show session and this year is bigger and better than ever.
Thanks to Tapt Media, attendees can win a Flight Centre travel voucher valued at over $4,000, so bring your A-game. And honestly, it’s one of those sessions where everyone walks away a winner.
