Why we have to talk about last week and a blindspot
Last week was tough, starting with THAT interview.
First, we saw Meghan and Harry were excluded, unprotected and blindsided by racism from the 'institution'. Meghan became 'race hate click bait' for the British press, which serves to drive clicks that in turn drive revenue from advertisers (what's your stand, advertisers? How can you drive positive behaviours with publishers?). We saw a woman left with no help when she said she was having suicidal thoughts.
Then, we heard about Sarah Everard, who lived in London - in a place we all relate to - who never made it home. Like Blessing Olusegen, another young student, who barely made the headlines, her murder unsolved. Labour MP Jess Philips read out the names of 118 dead women in parliament, revealing how violence against women and girls is an epidemic.
We discovered 97% of women in the UK have been sexually harassed. We shared our experiences of sexism, igniting recent testimonies by thousands of school-aged teens on Insta's @everyonesinvited.
We heard our PM say the solution was street lighting and more CCTV cameras. We witnessed denial from the Society of Editors who said coverage of Meghan/Harry was 'not racist' (160 of its members disagreed; 94% of journalists are white). We saw a #CrimeBill, which does more to protect statues than women.
So leaders, don't forget to check in on your teams right now.
This week, like every week, we exist to create a fairer, more equal society by putting inclusion at the heart of organisations where we can meaningfully partner. We see half of all consumers increasingly voicing their belief that there is a role for brands to play in working to improve society and for publishers to be responsible with 'free speech'.
We always look forwards, knowing we can all grow and learn. So, let's keep on building for better.
YES! It's BACK.
Applications now open for #CCLDN2021
Reset for inclusive workforces. Our May 17-28th 10-day programme is back, here to support up to 30 women, non-binary and gender non-conformingpeople back into creative industries and is free to attend, open to anyone who has previously worked as a creative (art director, copywriter, designer or similar role) in the advertising, marketing and design industry.
Creative Equals’ partner,Eileen Hanna, Diageo's UK Head of Standard Scotch and Lifestyle Whiskies says: ‘We believe the most inclusive and diverse cultures makes for better creativity; we need this now more than ever.'
'We hear many creative women who have quit their jobs, unable to keep up with the pressures of combining homeschooling and work,' says talent partner Rachel Gott, founder of Apple&Ink. 'So we know the female talent fall out over the last year needs to be urgently addressed.'
Progressive companies joining the programme include Edelman, Adam&EveDDB, Wieden & Kennedy, Anomaly, Fishawack, VMLY&R, VMLY&RCommerce, Engine Group, MRMMcCann and WundermanThompson, with talent company Major Players supporting the returner selection process.
WHO DON'T WE SEE? Muslim women. Anywhere.
When Zara Mohammed, the first female head of the Muslim Council of Britain, was met with a hostile interviewer, 100 public figures immediately signed an open letter. The interview enforced damaging stereotypes and prejudicial tropes about Muslim women. Is this what our Muslim sisters face on a daily basis?
Ask yourself: when did you ever see a Muslim hijab-wearing woman as a protagonist in an ad or in the media?
In our businesses, do Muslim women feel free to wear the hijab, if this is part of their faith identity?
What are their experiences in the workplace? And, are we missing out on the Muslim Pound, worth £20 billion and growing?
Arif Miah, Creative Strategy Director at Mud Orange
Sufia Parkar, Senior Diversity and Engagement Specialist at McCann Worldgroup
Shelina Janmohamed, Writer and Vice President at Ogilvy Noor
Nicola Kemp, Editorial Director at Creativebrief
Zara Mohammed, Head of the Muslim Council of Britain
101: understand your audience
Epic social media IWD fail from Burger King.
'It was our intention to undermine an outdated stereotype about women and reclaim the terminology, in order to highlight a big problem in the restaurant industry – that women occupy only 20 percent of chef positions in UK restaurants today, which we believe is offensive.' Yes, that's the 'intention', but what's the impact? This ads reads as a reinforcement of that stereotype. The fall out was swift.
This week, this spoke to us, as women felt seen by the retailers like Tescos, with others following suit.
ATTEND: our friends at Curve have completed research with the University of Zurich around leadership during Covid, the challenges leaders have been facing and the future of work. Check it here.
READ: Creative leaders we watch are stepping up to major roles. Congrats to Carole Davids, Group Creative Director at Vice Virtue Worldwide, Sue HIggs, Joint ECD at McGarryBowen, Jade Tomlin, Group Creative Director, AKQA and applause to Laura Bambach, President and Chief Creative Officer, Grey London. Read more in Campaign here.
SIGN UP: Our friends at Media For All - a non-profit organisation to help Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic communities thrive - have opened up their mentoring programme. Apply here.
Spring is on it’s way, promise!
Love, the Creative Equals Team x