Leo’s Friday afternoon tweets highlight the industry’s problems with equality
Leo Burnett has wasted a chance to strike a real blow for equality by tweeting its response to the storm its all-white, all-male press release generated 48-hours late on a Friday afternoon, argues Miranda Ward.
Writing about the ad industry, it’s always been pretty evident there’s a gender inequality problem in the more senior ranks – usually because it’s me, a woman in her 20s, sitting across a table from an older man chatting about the ad business.
I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve met with senior women in creative agencies during my two years covering the space for Mumbrella.
Whatever way LB responded would have had industry pundits slam it. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Get over it Australia, there are millions of people suffering from wars in the ME, Africa and South America. News publishers must be desperate for content today. Go and help a refugee or go volunteer at a soup kitchen. Get a real life.
PS: how many women do you employ Tim?
“Half of the industry is female – they’re just not in creative departments or leading agencies.”
I spent the first ten years of my career in crap agencies and outside the creative department before I squeezed my way into one.
It’s highly competitive. The fact I have a dick didn’t make it any easier.
I’ve also taught many exceptionally talented women to be creatives and unfortunately, a lot are way smarter than men. They don’t have the tenacity to stick out the bullshit.
I would love more women in the creative department. But ask a recruiter who they have on their books, and guaranteed there are a lot more men than women.
“Instead they focused on cold statistics to argue their agency has plenty of diversity.”
Seriously, you mean facts?
So a company that is already arguably among best practice in the industry now isn’t allowed to hire 7 white men even though compared to many others they already have great statistics and apparently to get approval now they have to have a perfect gender, and I’d presume racial background balance in every picture they take or multiple hire?
When a company who is trying to do the right thing across the board gets taken down like this you can understand why those who perhaps are not doing better don’t bother a why would they? Dare I say (and I know this is facetious in saying so.. but so is this entire article) does every new hire have to be a woman until it’s acceptable?
This post represents everything that is wrong with third wave feminism.
Men of Mumbrealla …. that’s an odd one. I’d like to think of Mumbrealla as ” de brains”….. enlightening, entertaining, to the point, fun, and “doing it”..
Duncan has hit this on the head. This article actually does a lot of harm for the equality movement in advertising. In fact, Miranda has unfortunately jumped on what she thought was a good story opportunity before consulting her journalistic skills.
Criticism can be a helpful tool, but unfortunately this article pulls down statistics (which have always been the undeniable flag of equality) for her unqualified anecdotal interpretation in her already admitted limited experience (2 years).
I would say that Miranda has fallen on the same trap which she accuses of Leo’s here. Which is to squander a good opportunity only to have the actual impression betray the cause she feels she is arguing.
I would suggest that articles like these which are based on reaction to topical social events (which in itself begs the question of being news worthy) be more thoroughly thought out.
I am a highly awarded successful women who has worked globally for the best creative agencies in the world. I have been offered jobs at BBH, Saatchis Lowes, Mother and many of the worlds best agencies overseas. But have not been able to get a look into agencies like Leo’s, Saatchis, DDB,Clems, Monkey’s etc here for 10 years.
“Half of the industry is female, they’re just not in creative departments or leading agencies.”……..
This IS the heart of the problem so yes @really the fact you have a dick makes it 97% easier for you.
Women have a 3% chance against your 97% chance of getting into a position of influence and power.
Woman have a 11% chance of being in a ‘senior creative’ [ that means now days you have 4 years experience BTW] These women have not power or influence they do not hire.
The most of the 49% of woman are hired in agencies are powerless or worse, simply hired as as eye candy for men.
Re ” They don’t have the tenacity to stick out the bullshit” That is bullshit – they don’t even get the chance to.
Re “I would love more women in the creative department .” Then hire some- there are plenty of fantastic ones to choose.
“But ask a recruiter who they have on their books, and guaranteed there are a lot more men than women.” Sorry but most recruiters have told me they can not place women or mothers in this country. Only a woman would know that. They are not going to tell you that because you are a man and don’t have to face that fact.
Can we move on from this; it’s been a protracted debate that will not be solved quickly, however both sides have had their say.
Currently, the world currently has bigger problems….
count ’em for yourself …. https://staging.mumbrella.com.au/about
Last time I looked
Talent, Passion, and Smarts completly over rule gender, unless you are picking a professional football player, or looking for the next super model for Victoria Secrets…
Um no, let’s NOT move on from this.
Yes it’s protracted and people have plenty to say about an issue that needs to be resolved. Whilst it would be super convenient for you if it was just swept under the carpet again, it’s an issue that deserves to be addressed. However we need to start hearing from some agency bosses, ECDs and even clients. They are the people who have the power to hire and fire. We need some of them to be bold enough to step forward and give their point of view.
Beware the Friday arvo post drinkies tweets.
This is an age old debate politicians have been spinning for years as to why there’s few women – “there’s more men than women, they can’t handle the pressure, they’re not thick skinned enough.”As Australia’s favourite jockey said- you can all get stuffed.” WE ARE NOT DONE TALKING ABOUT THIS.
Not surprised @ the rhetoric. its a shame we still discussing matters of equality in advertising, surely the team should be a reflection of the communities we are targeting. I personal met one of the guys (white male) who claimed he was a recruiter for Leo Burnett Sydney and had worked for Leo Burnett group for more than 8years in various markets, he was quiet condescending the fact that he mentioned my experience was based on bule-chip brands in South Africa not the UK therefore, it wouldn’t count for much in Sydney. Unfortunately walked out that meeting feeling insulted, belittled and discriminated. As an African I felt someone was questioning who I am and where I from. I have always thought international insights play a fundamental role in Advertising however according to this Recruiter South African insights didn’t count for much in Sydney market as he was going to the UK that following week to recruit about 15pp with London experience instead.
From my observation over the past year, as a black man I feel the advertising landscape in Sydney its pretty xenophobic.
@Really::: I’d like to meet you with a view to working together
I wanna meet you too Bkay
@Really: No worries, you welcome. We can can definitely have a coffee catch-up, pop me a direct email: butho@greatexperiences.co.za will cascade my details.
Regards,
Bkay…