At B&T, We are staunch believers that every woman and her achievements should be celebrated, every day and always.
However, unfortunately, the achievements of women often go unnoticed. That’s why we launched our annual B&T Women in Media Awards – to recognise the amazing accomplishments of women across the marketing, communications and advertising industry.
In honour of our WIM Awards, we’re chatting to industry powerhouses; women we should all be keeping an eye on — women to watch.
Today, we are hearing from Nova group marketing director, Leanne Gibb. 
To me, the B&T Women in Media Awards are particularly special because we get to stop and celebrate the incredible women across media who are achieving great things and doing their best to create a more equitable future all.
There are so many women achieving great things and who have had an immense impact on me. Personally, my mother and two sisters are two of the most influential women in my life. They taught me about humility and the strength that is found in compassion.
On a professional level, it would be NOVA Entertainment CEO, Cathy O’Connor. Cathy is a role model in every sense of the word and she is more influential than she probably realizes! I have worked with her since 2005 when she offered me my first job at NOVA Entertainment. She has believed in me and offered her time and invaluable advice when I have needed it most.
Whether it be navigating through challenging circumstance to more personal situations, Cath is generous and relatable with her guidance. When I announced my pregnancy, Cathy swiftly pulled me aside and shared her own experiences and learnings of taking maternity leave. She reassured me that the company fully supported me, would welcome me back with open arms and a flexible working arrangement. How lucky are we to have a woman like that in our industry!
Personally, I think it is a great time to be a woman in media! Times are changing, we are getting a seat at the table and deservingly so. As women, we need to remain confident in the value that we offer and bring it forward! We don’t need to be the silent achievers, it really relies on us, as women, to continue to drive equality in the workforce.
Our CEO, Cathy O’Connor is unapologetic in her pursuit for equality in the workforce. She believes equality should be afforded to everyone. Cathy often talks about how different the industry was when she started in media but acknowledges we still have a long way to go. She influences change by using the power and responsibility of her role to take other along for the journey, sharing her own stories and experiences and calling out any bias. Cathy has cultivated a culture where every employee has a voice that is heard, valued and respected.
Quickfire questions
What’s a little something everyone can do today that could potentially make a massive change in the struggle for equality?
To understand our unconscious bias when it comes to equality and diversity. What would happen if we removed the names from resumes before they were circulated to managers? Just a thought.
If you were PM, what law would you change/introduce right now to improve equality?
Being a working mum has opened my eyes to the physical and mental demands of being a good parent and employee (and trying not to stuff up either one!). I would like to see the government introduce 3 months paid maternity leave for all working parents and more affordable childcare despite their income.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Early on in my career I was told to ‘Control the Controllable’… it was a game changer for me. So often we waste time and energy focusing on things that we cannot change or control.
The other was to ‘walk the floor’ every day. Something so simple but hard to achieve because it requires you to stop what you are doing and go and talk to staff, build relationships, observe what’s happening – you will find out a lot more than you would if you stayed in your office.
