Make it 16: As the industry rejects toxic trade platforms, support the same for our teens
As backlash continues following Campaign Brief’s 2024 edition of The Work, and the industry begins to hold it accountable for its perpetuation of a toxic online environment, Simone Gupta, co-founder of Supermassive and campaign strategist of 36 Months, asks that the same energy be put behind a similar cause.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked by multiple journalists to comment on the Campaign Brief issue. My initial response, like that of many women I know, was that I’m really fucking tired of talking about 20 years of unchecked misogyny, bullying, and cronyism that runs rampant in parts of the industry.
What difference will my voice make? I don’t work for a big network anymore, and Supermassive – a majority-female-founded agency – doesn’t subscribe to Campaign Brief, precisely for the reasons being debated.
But as the weeks unfolded, I started seeing the stark parallels between the Campaign Brief debate and the 36 Months campaign, which I care deeply about.
As grandmother of an about-to-be 15-year old growing up in Sydney, I’m right with you, Sim! Vanessa Andreotti (Hospicing Modernity) offers a great question: “if someone born today in 30 years could look back at us today, what would they say are helpful things we could be doing for them right now?”
The stand you and your colleagues are making right now is one of those helpful things, and I don’t think you’ll need to wait 28 years for my two-year-old grandson to be telling you that you helped. You’ll be hearing from him and his friends long before then, I’m sure!