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 have achieved success in their professional arenas, celebrating their invaluable contribution to their industry through leadership, innovation and courage.
Rigg-Smith recently took the time to chat with B&T about what drives her, her proudest professional moment and where she thinks the media industry can improve on gender equality.
What is your proudest professional moment?
You know it would be saying yes to being CEO. And not because I think it’s the pinnacle to be CEO but because I was really scared about it. So I think to overcome that fear and actually taking a leap of faith and going ‘you know what just give it a go’ – I’m proud of myself for doing that.
What drives you?
Without a doubt the work – as in the actual things we produce for clients and understanding business challenges and how to actually make them come to life. I love it when I see my team delivering great work, and how proud they are of it.
When in your career have you been bravest and most courageous?
I can’t say there’s one particular moment but I think telling truth to power. I don’t think it matters how senior you get, you still get that nervousness when you have to tell real truth to power. That could be a really powerful client, a really powerful board, a really powerful stakeholder etc. For me, that’s something I pride myself on and it can sometimes have dire consequences. Sometimes, it can mean you lose a piece of business. However, I think we need to be able to tell truth to power.
What’s adland getting right in its approach to fighting gender inequality and where could it improve?
I think the data I’ve seen about media agencies is actually strong – there’s definitely equality across the board in terms of the number of female CEOs and male CEOs. As an industry, we are doing a lot to get it right. However, I never want to come across as having blinkers on because I do think there are still a lot of females that will say, ‘No, I’m doing it tough and I am overlooked for promotions’. So I don’t want to gloss over the fact we have work to do to make sure that there is absolute equality.
I think what we can continue to get right is to make sure that we really understand what flexibility means to each individual, and how to support people in their flexibility needs as opposed to just saying ‘we’re flexible’. But what does that actually mean for someone and how could you help support them in that?
And the last place where we could improve is engaging men in the conversation. That’s something I’ve always been proud of – that the men that I’ve worked with and for, I’ve engaged them in the conversation about what I need as a female and a female leader, and they’ve supported me through that.
What advice would you give to women who are entering the media industry or who are maybe struggling to have their voice heard?
My advice first and foremost to everyone is to learn your craft. You need to be really, really good at what you do. Then when you need to voice a concern or tell truth to power, you actually know that you’re coming from a place of knowing your stuff, and no one can take that away from you, no matter how badly they’re treating you and matter whether they are giving you things that you need. No one can take away from you being good at what you do. If you’re really good at your job, then that gives you that baseline faith that you’re going to be okay because you’ll go somewhere that will respect you if the place you’re in isn’t.
I also tell people to find someone who can champion you. If you are someone who’s a little bit quieter or you don’t feel like you’re getting your voice heard, find a mentor, or ask someone for coffee and say ‘I just need to pick your brain on how you’d deal with this situation’. What I find is people will start to be your voice piece as well – they’ll speak up for you and will understand where you’re coming from.
And finally, who is the bravest or most courageous person you know and why?
I’m always inspired by Rose Herceg, WPPAUNZ Chief Strategy Officer because no matter what the situation, no matter whom she is talking to she always has the courage and conviction to voice her point of view even if it is provocative. Rose also has the courage to listen to other people’s points of view too. I think it is brave to be in a constant state of learning and it is something I definitely try to replicate.
—
Don’t be shy, be proud of your achievements and enter B&T’s Women In Media! Submit your entry here.
You can also buy tickets to the event here, which will be held on Wednesday 28 October 2020, at Doltone House (Jones Bay Wharf).
And, if you’d like more information, head to this website.
Other key information
On-time deadline: Friday 21 August 2020 (5pm AEST)
Late entries deadline: Friday 28 August 2020 (5pm AEST)
Shortlist announced: Wednesday 23 September 2020.
Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for making the event possible!
Latest News
The Mars Agency Announces Latest Findings Of Retail Media Report Card
The Mars Agency has developed a scorecard that assesses the capabilities of leading platforms across key criteria required to optimally plan, execute, and measure effective retail media programs. The scorecard aims To help brands efficiently evaluate their spending options across retail media networks in Australia (and New Zealand). With spending on retail media advertising in […]
‘It’s The Lesser Of Two Evils’ – NRL Eyes US Betting Market As Aussie Regulators Circle
US betting firms will be delighted by the circa 50,000 Americans who could soon watch the NRL on their favourite app.
A-League In Deep Discussions With New Partner To Keep Games On TV After Production Company Enters Administration
The A-League's insatiable appetite for scoring own goals continues.
TV Ratings (27/03/2024): Jungle Members At War Over Concealed Lipstick
A heated argument between two jungle members did the numbers for Ten last night, with I’m A Celeb obtaining a total national reach of 1,282,000. Fans were delighted as Candice Warner and influencer Skye Wheatley got into it over a stick of lipstick, leading Warner to dub the Instagram star “selfish.” Wheatley, best known for […]
Is The Australian Music Industry In Trouble? Inquiry Launched Following Splendour Cancellation
Earlier this week, an inquiry was launched into the challenges and opportunities currently facing the Australian live music industry in the wake of multiple festival cancellations. On 25 March 2024, the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, asked the Committee on Communications and the Arts to inquire into and report on the […]
Liana Dubois, Leandro Perez, Aimee Buchanan & More Gather For Inaugural Compadres Leadership Event
Didn't get the invite? Perhaps you're not as important as you thought.
Cathay Captures The Unforgettable Thrill Of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Via Publicis
Nobody does rugby like Hong Kong, apparently. Certainly nobody does it as badly as Australia.
Cocogun Nabs Christine Watts, Kirsty Reynolds & Shev Tan Bolstering Management & Creative Teams
Cocogun bolsters its team with new hires. Committed to purchasing a bigger sofa, too.
The Media Store’s Jacquie Alley & Sam Cousins Take The Plunge With Pro-Bono Work For Cure Cancer
B&T chats with The Media Store bosses about their great pro-bono work and sponsored swim.
Hawke’s Brewing Co. Taps Rocket Comms For PR Agency Following Competitive Pitch
We're expecting Rocket Comms productivity to crash in spectacular fashion following this win.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Patties Serves Up A Taste Of Home For Olympians & South Sydney Rabbitohs Recommit To Gambling Reform
While the Rabbitohs commits to gambling reform, B&T reckons the team should commit to a decent auto sponsor.
Google: “Inevitable” That Bad Actors Will Abuse Ads Platform As Advertiser Account Suspensions Double
Google maintains it's simply impossible for it to entirely stop bad people placing & paying for ads using its service.
Quantcast Expands APAC Sales Team With Appointment Of News Corp Account Manager
No pressure at all when you are appointed as a client success manager.
Publicis Sapient Tests Microsoft-Powered Gen AI Search Tool With Homes & Villas By Marriott Bonvoy
Given Gen AI's record for mangling stuff, B&T cannot see the problem with letting it decide your next holiday digs.
Volkswagen & DDB Group’s “Roo Badge” To Reduce Kangaroo Related Road Collisions
Watch out for RooBadge as Cannes Lions' most debated campaign this year.
Twilio Launches Unified Profiles & Agent Copilot Features To Boost Productivity & Engagement
Agent Copilot sounds like James Bond's less interesting cousin.
Reebok & Honda Among New Clients For onetwo agency
OneTwo finally lives up to its name with this double billing.
Ogilvy Report: Throw Out The Social Strategy Rule Book, The Rules Of The Past No Longer Apply
B&T was puzzled that all 'influencers' aren't, effectively, 'virtual', but here we are.
WhiteGREY & AKQA Merge In Australia, Lee Simpson Departs
Fortunately, the combined agencies aren't opting for a trite portmanteau for the new name.
Splendour In The Grass 2024 Music Festival Cancelled!
Music fans all over the country reportedly relieved they can pack away their rain coats and gumboots for another year.
TV Ratings (26/03/2024): “Fairy Bread, F***ing Disgusting”: Gordon Ramsay Slams Aussie Food In Food Stars Launch
Ramsay not one for mincing his words, even when it comes to minced meat pies.
Paramount+ International Boss Doubles Down On Aussie Content, Says Ad-Tier will Grow Audiences And Revenue
Good news as Paramount will not be binning I’m A Celebrity for re-runs of Frasier.
Brent Smart: Telstra Pushing For 50-50 Brand-Performance Split But Warns Numbers ‘Won’t Look Great’ Initially
The old brand vs performance debate continues. But here, Brent is firmly sitting on the fence.
Crowded House, Tones And I & Dom Dolla Win Big At The Shure Rolling Stone Music Awards
B&T staffer reports back with humdinger of a hangover & feeling seriously uncool after mixing with music types.
Opinion: Dyslexia “A Hidden Gem” For Brands & Agencies
Dyslexics offer underappreciated benefits in the corporate field, according to this op-ed.
David Jones Taps Criteo To Power Online Retail Media Arm
Want to see ads for things you probably can't afford? David Jones has got you covered with new retail media play.
oOh!media Sets Up Team To Target Business Audiences Across Airports & Offices
oOh! wants brands to harass you every minute of your next business trip.
QMS Launches Australian First DOOH & TV Partnership With Samba TV
Samba TV, of course, is not a channel dedicated to dancing. Much to our dismany.
Slew Of New Hires At Amplify
Four new faces join the Amplify offices. Team say desk scarcity becoming "acute".
Adobe Announces Content Authenticity Initiative Expansions To Counter Deep Fakes
Try as they might to enlighten them, we suspect Trump supporters will continue to watch and believe Fox News.
The PR Group Appoints TechCrunch Senior Reporter Catherine Shu As Director Of Content & Media
Catherine Shu makes the bold leap from journalism to PR. Says inevitable pay bump was "unrelated".
HERO Nabs Ebony Santin From AMPR
Rumours Santin cleared out the stationery cupboard before departing are as yet unconfirmed.
Karena Noble Checks Out Of EVT Hotels & Resorts To Launch Comms Consultancy
Noble still managed to squeezed in a continental breakfast before departing.
Canva Acquires Design Platform Affinity To Bring Professional Design Tools To Every Organisation
Canva & Adobe face off continues. We're not picking sides but keenly aware that Canva's office is next door to ours.
“Lean On Our Team To Help You Find An Audience”: Why Understanding Audience Engagement Is Essential In Journalism
Engaging the audience is critical to journos, apparently. We'd thought self-loathing & alcoholism were key.
Adobe Summit: Major Gen AI Developments, Data Concessions & Partnerships
What happens in Vegas stays there. Unless it's the Adobe Summit and then you get to read about in B&T.