International Women’s Day tomorrow (March 8) is cranking up the pressure on agencies, not just in terms of their own employment but also the external talent they use. Hard on the heels of Free The Bid, which has already had ...
Read More »Nick Breen: is Naomi Osaka cartoon a one-off or indicative of a broader problem?
One of tennis star Naomi Osaka’s sponsors, Nissin, has come under fierce criticism after it released an advertisement featuring a cartoon representation of Osaka, who is ethnically half-Haitian and half-Japanese, with pale skin and wavy brown hair. The sponsor has ...
Read More »New IPA survey reveals painfully slow progress towards diversity
Much hot air around diversity and its sister equality – wot, you hadn’t noticed? – so it’s good to get some stats about people from BAME backgrounds (British, Black, Asian and minority ethnic – i.e. non-white) in IPA agencies, representing ...
Read More »M&C’s MacLennan tries to end Tindall diversity controversy
M&C Saatchi international boss Moray MacLennan has announced that CCO Justin Tindall (left), who famously announced that he was “bored of diversity” in a Campaign article, won’t be fired. Because he didn’t say he was “bored with diversity.” Which is ...
Read More »M&C’s Justin Tindall takes a kicking for diversity comment
Poor Justin Tindall (left), now CCO of M&C Saatchi after a long and distinguished stint at Leo Burnett, has written what can only be described as a grovel in Campaign (hope you can read this despite the paywall) for remarking ...
Read More »Paula Coral: what I’m going to do about it
It was an important year for the 3% Conference. Not only because of their 5th anniversary, and highest attendance ever, but also the conference’s message of inclusivity and unity felt more relevant and urgent than ever before. In the face ...
Read More »Ageism debate: the intent is good but can adland actually afford to be less ageist?
Bumped into a still ashen adman on his way back from a NABS breakfast the other day (NABS is the UK’s advertising charity). One of the speakers had been MediaCom chairwoman Karen Blackett (below), a single parent. Blackett had been ...
Read More »Director Har’el launches Free The Bid to boost female commercials directors
US film and commercials director Alma Har’el (below) has launched Free The Bid, an initiative to ensure that at least one female director is included when an agency seeks triple bids on new projects. At present just under ten per ...
Read More »Maybe women in adland doth protest too much
Has anything untoward happened to senior Procter & Gamble executive Roisin Donnelly? This piece in Campaign reads like an obituary. Actually she’s leaving the company after 31 years, presumably in good financial shape. The piece was accompanied by a ringing ...
Read More »