Pressure mounts as Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Special Australia and more pull the plug on Campaign Brief
More agencies including Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, and Special Australia have terminated their relationships with trade forum Campaign Brief following the fall out of The Work 2024.
The industry erupted following Campaign Brief’s The Work 2024 and what it showed about the issue of lacking diversity in the creative world. The double-page spread did not feature any women, and the recent BestAds ranking lists of Top Creatives, ECDs and CDs featured just one, showcasing the enormous issue of the lack of diversity in creative leadership.
The conversation blew up on LinkedIn, with many taking to share their frustrations online.
The lack of gender diversity on the published list is merely a straw that broke the camel’s back. The creative industry has long resented its toxic relationship with Campaign Brief. Don’t be fooled into thinking these agencies are jumping ship purely because of perceived misogyny. This goes so much deeper than just that.
With Innocean’s CCO leaving to take up the role at 72&Sunny, it raises two questions. Did 72 consider one of the many talented female creative leads for that role? In no way is this meant to undermine the credentials of their incoming very talented CCO. But given the dialogue the CB rankings have created around female creative representation, this seems somewhat controversial. Secondly, will we see Innocean leadership opt for a female CCO this time around? Given their leadership in the conversation around equality, it was surprising they appointed a male CCO first opportunity they had four years ago. It will be interesting to see whether their championing of female creativity applies to their own agency this time around. I hope it’s finally a yes.
Would be more helpful if there companies actually developed female talent, rather than cutting ties with a media company that mirrors their bias..
Interesting in the light of this uproar that 72 and Sunny spurned the opportunity to appoint a female creative lead. Let’s see if Innocean, especially outspoken around creative equality, now appoint a female CCO having overlooked every female lead four years ago.
Are agencies so self-indulgent that they’re unable to grasp the real problem lies with them?