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 co-founder, commercial and client service director at Amicus Digital, a Merkle Company’s Jessie Mitchell.
I think the B&T Women in Media Awards are important because it provides a platform to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of women in our industry. It also facilitates conversations that extend beyond simply gender equality; a topic that is central to workplace diversity.
I have been influenced by so many incredible women both personally and professionally. That said, in the context of this response, the three most influential women in my life that have shaped me as an individual, championed my role & responsibility in the workplace and provided unwavering support would be my dad; Adrian Mitchell, my business Partner; Blair Cooke and my husband; Michael Nikotin. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of their influence in supporting me as an individual and enabling my role as a leader, regardless of gender.
And, as a proud Kiwi, I have also been incredibly influenced by people like Jenny Shipley, Helen Clarke and Jacinda Ardern, and the impact they have had on a local and global platform. Jacinda has established a platform for New Zealand, Women in Leadership, Motherhood and most recently finding balance between decisiveness and empathy with the recent Christchurch tragedy. The impact and reception this has had is far-reaching for a country of our size and perceived influence.
In terms of the biggest impediment to equality in the workforce, I think it is important that we drive participation and diversification of those having the conversation to ensure that it is inclusive and drives the necessary change. This needs to come from the collective, not just individuals in leadership positions so that it is instilled at every level of the organisation.
Quickfire questions
What’s a little something everyone can do today that could potentially make a massive change in the struggle for equality?
We are all guilty of attribution bias; systematic errors made when people evaluate or try to find reasons for their own and others’ behaviours. A simple ask would be to look at how this can present itself in our everyday lives, what we can do as individuals to eliminate it and in turn address the role we play in contributing to the problem.
If you were PM, what law would you change/introduce right now to improve equality?
Change the nationality law to support a view that respects and embraces everyone’s background and diversity
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Dust yourself off and try again, courtesy of Aaliyah.
