For progress to be made in our industry, it requires drive, effort and determination from an individual. But equally, progress requires support and equal opportunity from those who surround that person, to ensure they aren’t fighting a losing battle. 

The advertising industry, like so many others, is currently going through its own soul-searching as it works out how to advance from the old boys’ club culture to a more modern, inclusive one that reflects the society it is helping brands sell their products and services to. 

This requires everyone in the advertising industry to ask themselves a question: do I want this business to be better for the next generation than it was, or is, for me? For there are two ways of doing things – the hardball, I survived, and it did me no harm philosophy; and the progressive, it is time things were better for everyone.

I have been lucky that during my 13 years in the advertising industry, I have encountered several people who have very definitely adopted a progressive stance. They have helped me as I’ve made my way from intern to executive creative director.

While I have worked extremely hard and done all the things a young, eager creative person should; attending the talks, watching the videos, reading the books and going on every course offered to me, that was never going to be enough. It all helped, without a doubt, but it only gets you so far. For in the main, my best chances to succeed came from other people who selflessly gave me space to thrive - when I’m sure at times it would have been easier, quicker or better for their own profile to just take those chances for themselves.

The power of cheerleaders and champions

For young women trying to break through as creatives in this industry, like I did when I started out, it requires cheerleaders – individuals who celebrate successes and support through failures. People who are there in the good times shouting someone else's name and in the tough times helping that young creative to learn.

And allies don’t have to be the same as you. In fact, for space to be made in creative agencies for the next generation – in my case,  women – those allies or cheerleaders will often be men. White men. White, middle-aged men. They will be men in positions of power who see strength in having people next to them in leadership that don’t look, act or behave in exactly the same way they do. They will be the men who want to work in a diverse and thriving advertising industry, not one that protects a bygone era.

And this is all very front of mind for me at present. As I was recently promoted to ECD - an achievement I am extremely proud of and a milestone moment in my career that really made me reflect on how I had got to this point after 13 years. 

Yes, hard work, drive, personal growth all played a part. But none of that would have counted without the people.

Like the first person in a position of power, who lifted me up and dropped me in at the deep end – or so I thought at the time – my first executive creative director, Beri Cheetham. Every day he helped me to be better. He is a big character, but he still made space for me, gave me a voice and shared any credit when it was due.

And then there has been my current managing director at Brave, Ash Bendelow. Someone I have worked with for 13 years. It is only through his unwavering support and belief in me, that I am now in the position I am. He didn’t want to lead a business with people who were exactly the same as him. So he continually gave me the opportunities to grow, as the company did.

Of course, a successful career and new opportunities aren’t limited to the four walls of your creative agency. Horizons need to be expanded, and women need to be lifted up by those who can open up opportunities beyond your immediate network.

Someone who absolutely did this for me was Ali Hanan from Creative Equals. Ali showed me what I could be. She helped me enter different rooms and allowed me to have new conversations; as did Daniele Fiandaca who once invited me to speak at Creative Social – to which I agreed after a few glasses of wine. At the time so scary but, an industry public speaking first, but in hindsight, a wonderful chance to give me a presence and voice to a wider audience.

Making room for new female creatives must come from the top. Creative directors, executive creative directors, managing directors, CEOs, CCOs, anyone in agency leadership right now. It simply can’t happen without them making this a priority and putting practices in place that allow it to ensue.

My career path in advertising is relatively unusual – I have risen from intern to ECD in the same agency – and that has been possible because of hard work and support. Many more women need to be given the sort of encouragement and opportunity that I had. If they were, we would improve our creative output as a whole because it would come from people with more varied outlooks on life, experiences and perceptions.

My clarion cry to everyone working in our industry is to step up and take immediate and effective action. Let those young women in your midst present their work, give them credit where it is due, put them on stage instead of yourself. Stop telling young women to do the things they are already doing and instead do your part and lift them up.