Gender in Media: A Discussion

Date/Time:
Date(s) - April 11, 2018
12:00 am

Location
Wavemaker, Sea Containers House, SE1 9ET

The FIRST Learning and Drinks session from the IAA Young Professionals Committee on Gender in Media.

50 media professionals gathered at Wavemaker as the sun set on another tumultuous week in media land, as the IAA hosted an esteemed panel on one of the hottest topics around – Gender in Media. Supported by generous sponsor Adepto, the flowing wine fuelled a captivating debate.

The panel consisted of Jan Hills, author of Brain Savvy Wo+man, Fran Cowan, CMO at Inskin Media,  Jon Hook, Founder of Mallory Ventures and Amy Lawrence, Joint Head of Digital Investment at Mediacom.

Chaired by OMD’s Francesa Hills (Jan’s daughter & co-author of Brain Savvy Wo+man, the panel reacted to the gender pay gap results (expected but unacceptable), debated what companies should be doing to address the gap (ensuring equal pay for men and women, setting up infrastructure to support the promotion of a diverse senior team), offered actionable advice on career management (know your worth, make sure your business has a plan for you), and talked about how to maintain momentum on this hot button topic (do not go away quietly!).

A lively Q&A session highlighted the impashioned interest in gender equality in the media industry: with pay gaps of up to 50% in some cases, and pledges from industry leaders to reduce (if not eradicate) the gap over the next decade, it was clear in the audience that patience is running out and results are expected.

The evening ended reinforcing a firm belief that now is our time to set things straight. We are the generation with the opportunity to drive change, and we will not rest until the job is done.

Expect more events on this topic, and others, from the IAA this year – email office@iaauk.london to join the distribution list.

To read Fran Hills’ blog on the event, please click here.