The World's Most Creative Women: Vicki Maguire, Grey
In a continuing drive for greater diversity and inclusion in marketing and advertising, a new feature by The Drum highlights conversations with top creative women in the industry.
Vicki Maguire, joint chief creative officer at Grey
All were nominated for The Drum’s global Woman of the Year award at The Drum Creative Awards, sponsored by Facebook, One Minute Briefs and in partnership with Creative Equals. The award is designed to push equality boundaries within the creative industry to spark discussion and action.
From icons and pioneers to prominent creative directors and designers, we asked each of them how diversity creates better work, the positive changes the industry can make, what keeps these creatives going in an ever-changing world and how greater diversity can grow the business.
Kicking off the new year, this series will reveal more of The Drum's global Woman of the Year award nominees.
Today, we speak to Vicki Maguire, joint chief creative officer at Grey.
From your experience and point of view, how does a more diverse creative team create better work? What have been some examples of that in action?
For me, it’s a quite simple equation. If you hire same, you get same. I, hand on heart, believe that something like Superhumans/Yes I can! Could only come from a crew as diverse as 4Creative. John and Chris put their agency’s success down to the fact that they believe that diversity is the solution not a problem. Though, I do take issue with those who say my work is good for a girl. Fuck that.
How are the conversations around creativity, and specific work/projects, different with a more gender balanced team?
Less "Ok, Yar." More "Fuck it, let's do it"
What changes around inclusion should the entire industry embrace today?
The industry should get its head around the fact that diversity as a must. Not a nice to have. Think of it like the smoking ban. Get used to it.
With all of the issues women face in the creative sector, what keeps you in the industry?
On a good day, in a place that accepts me for who I am and what I can achieve... it’s the best job in the world.
Will greater diversity in the industry ultimately save/grow it?
Our influence is shrinking, we need to whine less and engage more. Diversity is the life blood of creativity and creativity will save the day.
The Drum Creative Awards puts creativity back in the spotlight and flies the flag for creativity during the digital revolution. These global awards are open to advertising agencies, design consultancies, digital agencies, production companies, marketing agencies, PR and more.
To register your interest for 2018, go to the event website.
This years awards were sponsored by: Facebook Creative Shop and One Minute Brief and partnered with: Creative Equals.