‘It’s something the industry needs to acknowledge’: The Aunties introduces awards series recognising industry Mums
While many are celebrating well-deserved Cannes Lions wins, there’s an advertising achievement that has been long overlooked. During the fuss of award season, The Aunties hope to make a fuss of some incredible industry Mums via its latest initiative, Mumbrella can reveal.
Hot on the heels of season two of their popular podcast ‘Mums on Call’, the not-for-profit mentoring program and supportive space for women in the creative industry hopes to support and spotlight industry Mums via the adorable award series, The Mummies.
Despite the fact that many know Mums are valuable members of any department, they still only make up 10% of creative departments, according to Advertising Council of Australia’s latest Create Space survey results.
Charlotte Wren,
Production extraordinaire at Thinkerbell.
Her dedication, love and care for the craft and purity of an idea is only eclipsed by her love for her girls. A single mum who makes balancing a busy schedule at work and home look effortless.
I’d love to nominate Sarah Raine – Cummins&Partners for always championing families and humanity with her warmth and understanding. She made my post baby journey back into the industry so much less daunting. Every time she told me “switch off, family first” when my little one was sick and I had the guilts, it made me feel a little less alone and we need more of that.
If you’re in the production/advertising industry, you’d be acquainted with KATIE MACKIN. She’s the Founder, Managing Director and Executive Producer of Unlisted – home to APAC’s foremost design, animation and film talent – and mummy to a darling five-year old boy. I’ve had the privilege of being employed by this woman for three years and I’m 100% convinced she is not human! She leads with class and compassion and she is dedicated in a way that inspires. Her career boasts some of the most iconic and awarded animated commercials of all time – and in an industry that never rests, she still manages to effortlessly raise a child. She is wonderful.
I would love to nominate Charlie Bruton for all her work with CHEP Networks Families commitee. Always striving to even the playing field in this space.
I’d like to nominate both Fiona Mullen – Head of PR and Integration Lead and Kathy Lane – PR Specialist of Communicado. Two incredibly
inspiring and supporting mentors that I look up to every day, that turn up for their team at work and then do it around the clock for their families at home.
I’d love to nominate Laura Cibilich, mum to her two indigenous tamariki/children. When she isn’t driving all across Auckland to watch them play basketball and perform the haka, she is winning and judging global awards – D&AD, Spikes Asia, Best Awards and more, as Founder of leading cultural agency RUN Aotearoa.
I would like to nominate Marilla Akkermans, Founder and Managing Director of Equality Media + Marketing, and importantly, mum of 2 beautiful-most-of-the-time, and challenging-part-of-the-time, children in Leo and Jasmine. Rather than waiting for the world to catch up, Marilla, created a work place that makes it possible to wear multiple hats. Marilla was the first of the few business owners or directors in Australia to introduce a four-day-work-week and having just ticked over two-years of working in a progressive and pragmatic way, Marilla continues to prove that you can do good and do well in business.