Nicky Kemp: The Media Leader Column 2025
Creativebrief
Our Editorial Director, Nicola Kemp's monthly column in The Media Leader focuses on creating a more inclusive and open space for employees within the advertising industry. Below you can view her latest articles.
Why are we bored of women’s burnout? (Nov 2025)
"The doors have silently slammed shut for women in the media, yet the industry is on mute. We must make noise to push them open. Silence will never be the answer. Equality still matters."
Women won’t bounce back forever (Oct 2025)
"There is so much more we can collectively, commercially, and individually do to elevate and invest in women. But to do that, we must be honest about the barriers and biases women still face."
The industry deserves better role models (Sep 2025)
"And to the women reading this who feel nauseous at the idea of being a “thought leader”, believe in yourself. Our industry deserves better role models."
Contrary to popular belief, women don’t want to do it all (Aug 2025)
"By glorifying the summer juggle, we sidestep the fact that the media industry still spends women’s time like it’s an infinite resource."
Wanted: More emotional women (July 2025)
"The ruthless commentary surrounding Rachel Reeves underlines how women’s emotions are still weaponised against them."
Honesty, integrity, trust: Media’s AI arms race shames us all (June 2025)
"While industry big-hitters embraced SXSW London to make generic statements about what they are building with AI, we are collectively ignoring the people we have broken."
The future of media is not Group Men (May 2025)
"Return-to-office mandates, relentless bias, a widening pay gap... why are we looking the other way while a steady stream of femail talent exits the industry?"
Why are we content to be careless people? (April 2025)
"Women who choose to speak in a wider media ecosystem that diminishes and discredits them for daring to question the status quo are constantly attacked. Stop blaming them for not thriving in systems designed to suffocate them."
Now is the time for the backlash against the backlash (March 2025)
"We all have the power to change our industry. To not bend to the cruel and unpredictable whims of a regressive backlash. In the midst of the sharp edges, fear and cynicism of 2025, it is important to remember the singular truth: together we are powerful."
If you can’t justify your office-return policy, maybe you’re the problem (Feb 2025)
"Adopting the language of inclusion alongside one-size-fits-all policies that are hostile to diverse talent is disingenuous. In an age of chaos, conflict will be heightened if leaders don’t listen. Empty statements don’t cut it."
Don’t bring back the boys’ club in 2025 (Jan 2025)
"Is it any wonder that women still cannot play the long game in an industry that routinely takes such a short-term view on diversity? It is 2025, yet there are still leaders who need reminding that diversity is not a trend."