What top marketers have to say on International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day . Some of you love it, some of you don’t. What probably unites both parties is an agreement that there is still a great deal of work needed to make life better for women in marketing.
At The Drum, we talk to great women in marketing all year round, from the leading creatives to the best minds in business, but today is as good a day as any to share their musings and advice.
One week ago, we released our World Creative Rankings , the ad industry’s most comprehensive creative rankings that benchmark campaigns, companies and creatives – via award wins. It proved that some women are reaching the absolute zenith of the trade, such as VML 's Debbi Vandeven , crowned the world's foremost chief creative officer and Liz Taylor of Ogilvy fame, ranked second . And let's not forget Shruthi Subramanian of Serviceplan Group , today revealed as the top copywriter on the planet.
But what is clear from our data is that too many of the top accolades are still going to men. And women of color, in particular, are still lacking the opportunities and support to thrive. There are some efforts in agencies and networks, we’ve listed them here, but there's a long way still to go.
So take a look at some words of wisdom from our My Creative Career series and then delve into some hot takes from our opinion section that ran earlier today, addressing just some of the issues holding women back.
Jo Wallace, global executive creative director at Jellyfish
When she joined Jellyfish, Jo talked us through her life and work, which has consistently tackled tough topics like domestic abuse, immigration and societal expectations placed on women.
On top of defeating the Daily Mail in a defamation case, Wallace's resilience and determination serve as an inspiration for women in advertising, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions fearlessly and push for inclusivity and equality in the workplace.
She advises: “Find your voice and don’t stand for things that are so obviously inaccurate. Have your allies, have your people that have your back and don’t let people shut you down.”
Franki Goodwin, CCO Saatchi & Saatchi
Franki Goodwin steers the ship at one of the world’s most prolific agencies Saatchi & Saatchi, where she has been for a decade.?There have been many pivotal moments during her rise at the London shop. Of course, there’s the work for Churchill Insurance, Direct Line, Asda and Robinsons, plus the multiple Cannes Lions awards to show for them.?
But last year, she had the unique task of taking the reigns on one of the UK’s most-loved traditions - the John Lewis Christmas ad. Through her innovative approach and a keen eye for storytelling, Goodwin has not only elevated brands but also set new standards for excellence in advertising.
She says: “I came in thinking that I was going to get found out, that I didn’t know what I was talking about. That didn’t happen, but what I did find was a lot of smart people to collaborate with.”
Liz Taylor, global CCO, Ogilvy
From her early beginnings to her current role at the helm of one of the world's most renowned agencies, Liz Taylor offers a glimpse into the evolution of her creativity and leadership within the advertising industry.
During her career, she has racked up many awards, but her first accolade came when she was around 12 years old for a book writing competition. “I got the bug,” she says. “I felt like I could tell stories and create characters. Move people in different ways. Make ’em laugh, make ’em cry. It was a pivotal moment.”
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As the global chief creative officer at Ogilvy, she uses the power of creativity for good and it shows in her work for the likes of anti-gun charity Change the Ref.
Throughout her long career, there’s one quote she has lived by, and it's from the iconic American actor Steve Martin: “Be so good that they can’t ignore you.”
Debbi Vandeven, CCO, VML
Debbi Vandeven tops our World Creative Rankings as the most-awarded chief creative officer in the world. It's the second year running that a woman has landed the top spot after Ogilvy’s Liz Taylor (second) took the accolade in 2023.?
Vandeven has spent the last 24 years at the Kansas City shop where she started with a small desk in a hallway, listening to the unsolicited advice of anyone and everyone who walked by,?
She’s climbed her way to the top job through sheer determination and having a “thick skin,” producing some standout spots for the likes of Wendy’s and Bumble.?
“The thing is, you chose a field that you’re going to be judged; your work is judged every day. It’s going to be judged by a client; it’s going to be judged by your bosses. You have to have thick skin, but you have to be relentless; you have to fight for your ideas.”
Pamela Drucker Mann, CRO, Conde Nast
From her beloved grungy flannel shirts to the impeccably dressed office of Vogue, Pamela Drucker Mann’s rise up the ranks of Conde Nast is inspiring.?
She began her professional life as a journalist at teen magazines like Sassy, eventually making a sharp turn into the world of sales. As her mum always said, she was good at arguing and that skill came in handy.
Now, she oversees the global revenue at the media giant where she counts Anna Wintour as a colleague.?
She describes Condé Nast as the “Magic Kingdom“ of creativity and a place where she’s met some of her forever best friends. And Wintour herself??
“She’s amazing, I love working with her. We have a tremendous partnership and it’s quite amazing as a woman to be able to work with another strong woman who knows what she wants but is ultimately also quite collaborative.”
We also opened up the floor to women in the industry to share opinions on what matters to them, enjoy.
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