The Drum launches research on marketing industry diversity

Sponsored by recruitment company Cogs Agency, the research is anonymous and open to agency and brand side marketers across the marketing services spectrum, including those employed in the advertising technology sector.

The survey, now open, includes questions on gender, ethnicity, education and disability, and also explores issues such as equal opportunities, discrimination, work/life balance and mental health.

Commenting on the launch of the inaugural study, The Drum’s editor, Stephen Lepitak, said: “The world is changing rapidly and as a result so is the marketing services industry, but from what we’ve heard in recent years it’s not evolving fast enough to keep pace, and by that I mean diversifying its workforce. That need for change is crucial for this industry to remain relevant and offer clients ideas and insight that will play to their audiences.

“Through the launch of the Diversity Census, The Drum will discover just how the industry is shaped and what more needs to happen in order for its workforce across the UK to better reflect the new cultures and ideals that 21st century audiences are made up of.”

Liam Morgan, managing director at Cogs Agency, told The Drum: "Encouraging diversity is important to us as it plays to the principles we hold dear – equality and fairness for all. Regardless of background, selection and access to the industry should be based on merit, ability and potential. Without true diversity, the industry fishes from ever decreasing talent pools and with skills in our sector in high demand stifling diversity is a sure fire route to creating epic shortages in future. Dynamic, successful businesses make the industry globally competitive. Without diversity, that dynamism and success fades away."

The survey is now open, and will remain so until Friday 23 October.

The results will be featured in The Drum’s print publication in December.