I hate the pathetic ratio of creative females to males in advertising

What do more women have to do to make it as creative leaders? Do we need to assimilate male behaviour? Tell dirty jokes, laugh in the appropriate places, have no problem leaning in and speaking up, or should we just get used to being the token woman in the room? Because it’s not enough to put our heads down, work our assets off, and hope someone notices. Statistically, just as many creative women enter the advertising workforce as men. So why do the numbers dwindle at the top? There are certainly initiatives that can help level the playing field.

Awards

Awards beget awards, promotions, job offers, and even new business. Much like creative departments, the juries of most award shows are predominately male. I like a fart joke as much as the next guy but until we see more female jurors, our industry will continue to primarily reward the male creative sensibility. If agencies are winning awards but alienating the majority of consumers, we’re talking to ourselves. Or at least the guys are.

As the infamous Cindy Gallop often says, those running the award shows need to make it a priority to #changetheratio and make juries 50/50. Agency folks pimping their people as judges should submit as many qualified female CDs as possible. If you’re having trouble finding them within agency walls it’s definitely time to #changetheratio internally.

Raise your hand

If you‘re asked to judge, please do a sister a favour and accept. Sure, you’d rather spend precious free time with your kids, lover and/or pets, but c’mon, ladies, we’re counting on you to represent. And if you’re not being asked, head on over to your agency’s PR person and volunteer. Same thing goes for speaking on panels. I’ve heard Nancy Hill, president and CEO of the 4A’s, discuss how difficult it is to get women to commit to panels. These are great opportunities to be the change you want to see.

Go ahead and raise your hand to help recruit and interview prospective creative talent at your agency. Why are most creative departments full of white guys? Because it’s human nature to hire people most like ourselves. It’s just more comfortable. Apparently women tend to make men uncomfortable, as some believe we ask too many questions. It’s time to ask where all the women are.

Mentor

A creative director once told me that to live long and prosper in advertising you need a rabbi. I was raised Catholic but I knew what he meant. Find someone you respect that you can go to for career advice, talk through job offers, debate life decisions, etc… You don’t have to go it alone. If you’re good at what you do and someone who is respected in the industry has your back, the path will be easier. And if you’re one of the lucky 3 per cent, look out for talented women on the way up and offer a helping hand or an ear. They are not a threat. They are the game changers.

Ask

People often ask how I manage this gig with kids. I‘ve learned to ask for what I need. I just wasn’t ready to go back to work right away after my first daughter was born. Blame it on sleep deprivation but I asked my ECD for another month and he agreed. Then I asked to work from home two days a week as I transitioned back. He agreed again and this was at an agency known as the consummate boys’ club. Our arrangement ended the day he “needed” me in the office but by that time things at home were running like clockwork(ish).

In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg talks about not only asking for help but also accepting it. Partners at home may not do things as we would but eventually they’ll learn. I’m fortunate enough (second time around) to have a partner who does the shopping and the laundry, shuttles the kids around, and can even prepare a few go-to dinners. I’ve learned not to complain if my lover starts frying pickles as soon as the cleaning lady finishes. He’s got things covered at home and celebrates my successes. What’s sexier than that?

Men also need to ask for what they want. Until they take their rightful paternity leave or ‒ dare I say? ‒ ask for more and beg off calls that conflict with life’s unmissable moments, women will be judged for their personal choices. Thanks to modern technology we can all work from virtually anywhere. It’s OK to leave the office to get home in time for dinner with your family. I’m consistently back on email in the evenings but at least I get the benefit of seeing my teenage daughter roll her eyes at me across the table.

I have a love/hate relationship with her too.