Cannes to tackle adland gender imbalance
Cannes Lions has launched an initiative to recognise the underrepresentation of women in advertising and discourage them from leaving the industry.
Over three days, a group of 12 women from Asia, Europe, North America and South American agencies will lead the programme called See It Be It, which will include guided access to the jury rooms, meetings with VIP speakers, sessions by industry figures and the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, and a mentorship event supported by women’s advocacy group SheSays.
After the festival, they’ll be given a toolkit that allows them to pass on what they’ve learned to other women in the industry.
Lions Festival’s director of brand strategy Senta Slingerland said: “For years we’ve been observing the lack of women at the top of the industry and it’s time to take action to redress the balance. We worked closely with our network and with Emma Sexton from SheSays to develop the programme and to identify the next set of female creative heavyweights – they exist, but need an extra push into the spotlight.
