‘The only women to benefit from #MeToo are black dress designers,’ media exec tells conference
Update: Lou Barrett has contacted Mumbrella to clarify her stance. Her statement can be read at the bottom of this article.
Women are holding themselves back and need to “just get on with it” in the era of #MeToo and Time’s Up, News Corp’s managing director of national sales, Lou Barrett, told the the Advertising Week conference in Sydney.
The Female Power Players panel was also sceptical about the idea of quotas as a path to equality, with Barrett saying “I don’t feel like it’s any man’s job to create me as an equal or have me as an equal”.
(L-R) Alexandra Sloane, Nicola Lewis, Kim Portrate and Lou Barrett with B&T’s Daisy Doctor
TLDR: Be more like guys and get on with it!
Having witnessed this panel, it made for hard listening hearing these very senior and respected media execs say some of the things the article references in this day and age. Alexandra Sloane of Facebook was the only representative on the panel who had anything insightful and helpful to add to the conversation. Lou Barrett’s #metoo comment was extraordinary and quite frankly, offensive.
Agreed!!!!
Glad I wasn’t in the audience because just reading this makes my blood boil! Agree… so offensive and so disappointing
That’s right, keep on being disempowered victims blaming men, rather than listen to a woman who has actually acheived something. Women love to keep other women in line – you’re your own worst enemies.
So women being raped is their own fault for being disempowered victims? Or did you forget that’s what MeToo was all about? You are an atrocious person.
Totally agree!
There are a couple of things here that I agree with.
It’s not on any man to raise me up or improve my options – I will do that myself, thank you very much. I don’t need you to bestow it upon me.
And quotas and tokenism make me a bit uncomfortable – as they imply I wouldn’t get there on my own.
but you still admit there is a problem? They’re going on as if “oh well, it hasn’t happened to me so therefore the problem doesn’t exist”
“There’s a special place in Hell for women who don’t help each other” – shame on you ladies
Just because one person who has been lucky enough not experience gender discrimination, DOES NOT MEAN THE PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST.
Just get on with it? Yeah, we are getting on with it, and we’ll keep fighting while doing it. I mean after all, women are multitaskers, aren’t we?
embarassing for the industry. a senior exec at a large event speaking this sort of nonsense.
“just get on with it”. Incredible lack of any awareness.
Absolutely! It goes on whether you’re seeing it or not lady! You have no idea…
I think there is unconscious bias at play here. Women as much as men have been blinded to the realities because we have all been trained to believe ‘that’s the way it is’. I applaud all these women for their success but can only wonder how many other women should be sitting right alongside them. I know I feel I’ve fallen victim to unconscious bias, AKA fallen into line because mostly I didn’t even know better. Time to rethink what we thought we knew!
Glad you mentioned unconscious bias. It’s one of the main reasons that companies put in quotas – not because they want to promote people who don’t deserve to be there, but because somehow promoting people ‘on merit’ only seems to end up with a group of people who are look and think the same way. And then having diversity in senior roles provides example and inspiration to others.
A shame that these high-profile executives on the panel didn’t have even a basic understanding of this issue.
How incredibly convenient for you to say people are just ‘blind’.
Are you saying that anyone who disagrees with your opinion are just blind? How incredibly short sighted. It is this exact kind of thinking that makes modern feminism look like a joke.
A good example of unconscious behaviour is growing up and watching your parents work their asses off for their money. When you become an adult, you will probably develop an unconscious belief that you also have to work hard for money. Without even knowing about it this can negatively effect your ability to invest and allow money to “work for you”. Potentially sabotaging great opportunities. It takes dedicated work to reprogram our unconscious beliefs.
You, me and most other people grew up in a world where women were treated differently to men in the work place, and for a long time we accepted it. We’re now challenging those beliefs, but just because we consciously want to change doesn’t make the unconscious mind shift instantly. We still continue to unconsciously act in ways that are how our beliefs were when we grew up. And I’m not just talking about men either..
It’s going to take a lot of hard work from males and females to reach a genuine shift to equality, and we’re not there yet. In reality, most of us are still “blind”, but we’re slowly forcing our eyes open.
Bottom line: Rich, privileged, private school educated, highly networked, middle aged white woman thinks she made it on her own and other women should take her example and just ‘get on with it’.
Her experience is probably in the 2%. Maybe try not to be so dismissive about gender issues that the other 98% of women experience.
Couldn’t have said that better.
This is so true. The lack of perspective is both astonishing and frustrating.
Only “2%” in the Industry are white, educated and rich and networked? What hat did that number get pulled out of? The last Census showed 69% Australians are Celtic origin,which makes the chances of them being white pretty high! You need to be educated in a professional industry like this – so the chance you might be white and educated again are pretty high.
“Highly Networked?” So somehow being in the business for years and connecting in high places is somehow impossible for most?
“Middle- Aged”? Is that somehow tied up with the privilege stuff? Middle-aged in Advertising is a miracle, or you are just a legend at your job. Trying to make her out as some sort of lucky gilded lily with those ridiculous figures does not add up.
A senior News Corp exec dismisses a modern social movement, is anyone really surprised? Good luck getting any more briefs from the Aussie media planners who are basically all socially progressive Millennials…
You’ve NAILED it!
This comment is offensive to WHIMN everywhere!
*slow clap*
Best comment in this thread by far. Bravo
White Priviledge on display AGAIN, BORING
Wow. Not sure why the colour of her skin gets called into question? Is there an issue with her skin colour or anyones skin colour for that matter? What’s the correct skin colour to not get slammed in the comments section?
Kind of feels like the only way to beat sexism and racism is with sexism and racism.
How did the audience react to this? Was there a Q&A session? Did anyone challenge this thinking on the day? I’d love to hear.
The questions were being screened by a team so the ones challenging this did not get put to the panel. Its great to see that I am not the only one who was offended and outraged by the comments being made.
If “just getting on with it” worked we’d be a lot closer to gender parity and yet we’re miles away from it. Clearly there’s a systemic problem that needs action, not just wishing and hoping. I’m disappointed that these high profile, privileged women fell into the trap of assuming their personal anecdata is in any way relevant to the bigger problem.
I was there and disgusted! Thank goodness for Alex Sloane the only voice of reason. Hope it was filmed so you can see back how bad the other three were. TV, News and Investment (not shocked).
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/advertising-managers-score-huge-pay-boost-but-women-still-paid-35k-less-than-male-counterparts/news-story/21994638bd65992a105cb004de1099c9
Just going to leave this here…
“She said men have never gone out of their way to derail her career, and it was on women to demand more and get their own seat at the table”.
This statement comes from one of privilege with ZERO awareness of the experiences of women who don’t like in the media executive bubble.
‘It hasn’t happened to me, so therefore it isn’t happening’ is the greatest cop out ever. It allows these women, who are in a position to make genuine change, to opt out of taking action.
Can you give me some examples of where men have gone out of their way to make sure you don’t get a role, because you were a women.
Because I can assure you now, men are definitely not conspiring collectively in secret clubs to stop you or other women from succeeding.
What I can say is, there might be certain people who are complete jerks that try to sabotage your success, which is completely different.
I’ve met a number of women who’ve gone out of their ways to sabotage others from succeeding. Should I blame all women for doing the same?
“Can you give me some examples of where men have gone out of their way to make sure you don’t get a role, because you were a women.”
I can (if by “gone out of their way” means “justified not considering an otherwise valid candidate”).
I’m aware of conversations when it came to hiring candidates – fortunately not at my current or previous employers – who dismissed the concept of hiring particular women on the grounds that they would likely be thinking about having kids at the age / stage of life they were in. Not that they’d asked them (which they couldn’t) but they’d made the assumption.
So they hired a guy instead. It didn’t matter if he was thinking about having kids, because there was limited paternity leave available at the time.
I’m also aware of situations where female candidates have been weeded out of the applicant pool on the grounds of being too attractive – it was thought they’d distract the older, male colleagues.
Or even not hiring women at all because they didn’t want the “hassle” of having a woman in an office full of guys. Something about “cultural fit”.
(Again – not at my current or former employers; I’ve just had the advantage of talking to a lot of people within market research contexts for different reasons.)
It’s rarely about a group of men sitting around going, “MWAHAHAHA, there’s a woman; let’s destroy her career progress!”. It’s men making decisions going, “We’d like to hire a woman here, but there are just reasons that we can’t.” People justify their biases.
My first job in advertising / marketing was interviewed by two men and whose questions included what footy code I supported and if I drank or not.
I got the job, and we never had anyone on staff who answered no to the drinking question.
So was I stopped for a being a woman? No. But was I hired because I was an attractive woman they felt they could have a good time with? Absolutely.
It has happened to me on many occasions, but I have always put them right in their place. Yes l did walk out and lose jobs, also had my studio broken into, to put me out of business by disgruntled men. But l was always a person that spoke out and l fought back. I did not wait years just to keep a job. I came from a family of very strong women we do not sit back and take rubbish from no man. I have done this all my life, you be surprised how they beg to say sorry if you walk out. Could l tell some stories, would curl your teeth!!
‘It hasn’t happened to me, so therefore it isn’t happening is the greatest cop out ever, alongside “It happened to me, so therefore it is happening to everyone”.
Unbelievable. Female colleagues came back to the office LIVID about this session. Comments included: “People were raped & they say get on with it?!”; “every other session was so inspiring … if this is their attitude why be on this panel? If you can’t be inspiring on a topic, don’t be on a panel about it!” and “makes me want to get out of media”. Apparently Alexandra Sloane was the exception and the only motivating person on the panel so kudos to her for standing out. So well done ladies for uninspiring and demotivating a bunch of up & coming females in the industry. Very productive.
This kind of thinking by those who are in high powered positions is exactly what’s keeping women down! Not their lack of trying or “getting on with it”!
My blood is boiling!!!! Rich, white privileged “if it didn’t happen to me, then it mustn’t happen to anyone” voices at it again!!
‘Look ladies, if you’re not a white, private school educated sociopath then it’s really your own fault and you’ve no one else to blame’
Wow, talk about tone deaf. This explains Channel 10 pilot season.
It’s like listening to Maggie Thatcher – ‘get great nannies’!!???
This is so disappointing but really not surprising. These women are scared too, scared of losing power and they think if they act like the boys, the boys will protect them. They’re in for some hard times ahead.
I’m sure they’ll turn to women for emotional support then…
Totally Agree!! I felt sick reading about this panel and their banding together to dismiss the change that is so badly needed in society – i.e. true equality. Get a nanny is one of the most simplistic responses I have ever heard! Urgh
If a White Middle Aged man had said “Just get on with it” there would be about 1000 comments on this section by now….
Just a completely outdated view of the world out there and one that needs to be consigned to the nearest rubbish bin if any progress is to be made on this issue.
(Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy)
I’m glad that a wealthy, powerful female executive hasn’t suffered in her career due to gender inequality, but to completely write off the plight of the overwhelming majority of women who have, is tone deaf, out of touch & lacking empathy at best.
The overwhelming majority of women have suffered in their careers due to gender ‘inequality’?
What data are you basing this on?
Shame I wasn’t on the panel with you to challenge your “opinion” Lou.
Ye gods! I’m no precious flower but this is really quite offensive: “In the absence of a strong family unit or supportive husband “then it’s finding yourselves great day cares and great nannies and things like that”.
Besides a “strong family network, supportive husband,nannies or daycare,” what then, are the alternatives to keeping a career going when you have kids? Osmosis? Leave kids at home alone, while you knock out a logo or two?
If you find that bit of realistic child-care offensive – share your secrets of your un-offensive plan.
Ummm, gee, how about the issue of juggling parenthood and career not being primarily the issue of the mother? How about paternity leave being equally as available? How about if companies acknowledge that they put the burden of child rearing on their female employees and find better ways to support them. I can guarantee you that if men were the ones who suddenly started having babies, this issue would be sorted out pretty quickly.
And her reference to daycare and nannies reeks of tone deaf entitlement. Many women can’t afford either or are put in the unenviable position of essentially working to pay for childcare. That is the issue with her comments. Sad it has to be spelled out.
Lou Barrett should be ashamed of herself, and consider herself lucky that she hasn’t had her career derailed by men, and seemingly has never been declined a pay rise or promotion she asked for or thought she deserved. Has she ever stopped to think that maybe the reason some women “choose motherhood” instead of advancing their careers is because they can’t afford the excellent childcare and nannies she mentions? A narrow, simplistic and extremely privileged opinion that I’m sad is associated with a ‘Female Power Player’ in our industry.
Yet again, the “hey lady, time to choose between a family and a big career” conversation. Why should I? No one ever asked my husband to choose between having a family and career advancement.
Because when you take 12 months off work to raise your child on paid maternity leave, while others pick up the slack and continue to progress forward for the company, it seems a little unfair when you return to be promoted.
If you’re not a job for 12 months, what are you being promoted on? The fact you had a child? Kudos to you.
“No one ever asked my husband to choose between having a family and career advancement.”
Too right, but you know what else men don’t get? 12 months paid paternity leave.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too. If you want to progress your career, then you cannot be absent from your job, kinda how things work.
12 months paid maternity leave?! Where do you work? You’re about to get an influx of applications.
Your comment is foolish and offensive.
@PB + @breeder: So a comment that lays it straight out is foolish and offensive? The fact if you take long leave in this business, which is heavy on deadlines, continually needing to stay up with tech advances and is running on budget tightlines – you should be able to have the seas parted as you ‘return to work.’
This is an industry you joined presumably because you enjoy ‘fast pace, day-to-day work changes, adrenaline deadlines and staying up with trends.’ Cake-wise- you can’t have it all if you have the beautiful responsibility of having children. Try a Gov job if it’s all unfair. But get real first.
There seems to be a pattern in this viscious comments section: commonsense replies get slammed.
@RealityCheck and @Logic here’s the fact. Women get pregnant, men don’t. Unless you want the species to end, women have to pause their careers for a little while to give birth and nurture their child (the child they share, with their (usually) male partner). So why can’t we all acknowledge this and help each other out? When men went off to war in the past, their jobs were held open for them, university degrees and promotions, fast tracked etc etc, society pulled together and backed them because they had to take time out for an important cause. Parenting & families and a healthy society is an important cause!
I’m so sad that I missed this enlightened session about women, and how they made it to the top. Unscathed, untouched, unaware of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Well done ladies, how empowering…
Actually, no. What a terrible, unsympathetic, uncaring, disgusting attitude. How rich and insightful.
It’s not about pinched bottoms and leering colleagues. This is about victims whose live’s have been changed in different but terrible amounts at the hands of sexist, oppressive men and women. Men and women who would like the shame of victims, and offences by perpetrators, to be brushed under the carpets.
Shame on you News Corp, for allowing this woman to represent your brand. There’s no room for people like this in our industry.
“Women hold themselves back. They’re the ones that hold themselves back. It’s not because they don’t want to go into the C-suite or advance in their careers. They just choose motherhood instead – and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said.
As the mother of a 10-month old, I really struggle with this comment. Yes, I chose to have a family, but not to ‘hold myself back’. During my pregnancy and now in my return to work, I have been constantly questioned as to how I am juggling and if my ‘priorities have shifted’. My Husband has fielded none of these queries, because there is still the expectation in our society that women bear and mind the babies, and men do the work. Great nannies and carers and ‘things like that’ have their role, but so does the overarching framework and the inherent expectation that women are the primary carers.
And for the record; we are ‘getting on with it’, women everywhere balance careers and family life (shout out to Jacinda Ardern) but we will continue to call out gender inequality – whether we’ve directly experienced it or now. Because my daughter shouldn’t be paid less than my son.
Wow…. Privilege and bias in action. “If it doesn’t impact me, it doesn’t exist.”
While everyone on that panel is undoubtedly very talented and achieved an incredible amount, the industry stats at a senior leadership level show they are the exception, rather than the norm. I suspect the views reflected on the panel are also the exception, rather than the norm.
The only outstanding question for me is whether this story will get more comments than the infamous “Gentleman’s Gin Club”
ITT: Brigading
so 4 very successful women go on record with their perspectives and attitudes and lots of less successful women become more and more furious and comment anonymously about it
perhaps if some of you actually listened to and learned from these women you’d be capable of being more successful?
the bringing up of their colour and schooling really took the cake amongst all of the bile above – it proved exactly the lens through which the posters view the world…’it’s everybody else’s fault, there’s nothing I can do about it, the world is stacked against me’
Surely this comment is satire?
The very definition of irony. Making wilfully obtuse generalisations and whinging about anonymous comments by publishing an anonymous comment. It’s a shame women expressing anger bothers you because you’re going to need to get used to it or perish with the other dinosaurs.
I am a very successful woman and I am enraged at the comments made about the “me too” movement. It has nothing to do with success and everything to do with basic human decency.
If you don’t like women speaking out and standing up for themselves against what is, at best, internalised tone deaf misogyny, that is your problem. Not ours.
Hhmmm,
Well, Lou Barrett…..as a senior media executive and senior executive at News Corporation, you really shined today. Not sure if it’s a total lack of EI, a lack of understanding, or (edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy). This is not a gender issue. It’s a human issue. An issue of fairness and respect – of straight out safety and dignity. Wake up!
Well we’ll just have to wait and see if the #justgetonwithit movement manages to gain much traction
I was there and I have to say Alexandra Sloane was extraordinary. I was horrified at some of the comments by the other ladies (I felt very stressed the entire time worrying about what they would say next). But Alexandra held her own, coming up against 3 opposing views, to be a voice of reason. Well done Alexandra thanks to you I walked away with at least one new female role model.
Agree 100% thank goodness for Alex!
“I think we’re our biggest enemies…”
Case in point this comment section.
Nothing productive can come from attacking and dismissing opinions on a clearly complex, personal (in terms of experiences, either to yourself or people you know), social and multi-faceted topic.
Especially when the words used simply discussing the topic can lead to a group of people getting so offended that they use it as ammunition to start attacking your job/business in the hopes of creating damage (that’s usually the next step when these escalate).
All this does is shut down progress, and shows a warning for anyone in a senior position who can be involved to help make a change, to not risk putting their hand up. I bet Lou now regrets having ever spoken up. Ironic given speaking up is what’s started the #metoo movement in the first place.
Cue apology via social media post.
Lou’s comments were narrow minded at best, offensive at worst. If we stayed silent about how we feel about what she said then we would get no where. Women should be building each other up absolutely! But we should also be holding each other accountable when what we are saying is offensive and wrong.
Offensive and wrong to you.
And that’s completely fine. But look at some of the comments above judging her as a person, putting words in her mouth (‘if you’re raped just get on with it’ was one I saw above), dismissing what she says because she’s white, and having a go at her place of employment and asking for her job to be in question.
She clearly think there’s a problem of equality. It’s why she volunteered to be on the panel. Though her opinions are out of touch (imo), people are so desperate for an enemy to fight they’ll burn their own supporters down to the ground if they say something slightly off and personal.
Exactly.
This comments section highlights exactly why modern feminism has become a joke, and can no longer be taken seriously.
If we are going to continue to be combative with anyone who has a differing opinion, then we will never progress. This victim culture that has sprung up out of nowhere has been completely detrimental to society. Everyone chooses to be offended by everything, instead of actually discussing.
No not exactly. Victim culture has not “sprung up”, people have just finally been given the platform and the support to speak up. If we are tolerant of intolerance, then we get make no progress. What would you like to discuss? “Rape is bad” “Hmmmm I tend to disagree”. What an amazingly disillusioned and inward way to think.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy].
She misses the whole point of the movement. It’s not about women who couldn’t just get on with it. Most of the people involved in starting the #metoo movement are highly successful women who got on with it. And the POINT is that they shouldn’t have to.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy].
I guess these FIVE WHITE WOMEN speak for ALL WOMEN, right?
[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
I have known Nicola Lewis for 15 years both as a colleague and close friend. Unfortunately I didn’t make this session but reading the comments illustrates how distorted people’s opinions can be based on a moment in time. A micro moment that is not a true representation of these women and in particular Nicola. Nicola is an amazing, inspiring, successful woman – who has worked her butt off to get to where she is – and faced with all types of adversity. She has supported, nurtured, mentored and championed women more than anyone I know. Can we please not make wildly accusatory statements about amazing people we don’t know – and anonymously at that! I wish the audience were able to address their questions directly with the panel so there was a real exchange of thoughts and not short statements that somehow now defines the discussion….
Here here Sev!
It’s interesting that ‘All The Money In The World’ has been referred to.
Has anyone seen corroboration of the Hollywood Reporter story? If so, this beggars disbelief, as I doubt that any agent would ever agree to $1,000
But it is salient to not that both actors were represented by William Morris Endeavor, but separate agents within that agency.
It appears as though Michelle Williams initial contract included re-shoots in the initial fee, whereas Wahlberg’s didn’t as his contract was at 80% of his fee (c. $15m).
I think this item was worth coming back to.
Yes, it was widley reported that for the reshoots on “All the Money in the World” that Mark Wahlberg received several million dollars for those reshoots while Michelle Williams worked for about US$1000.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/11/28/michelle-williams-is-getting-a-fraction-of-mark-wahlbergs-2-million-payday-in-all-the-money-in-the-world-reshoots/?utm_term=.4a3fdef6610a
It was also reported that Wahlberg ‘held the movie to ransom’ by refusing to agree to replacing Kevin Spacey until after he got paid.
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/01/mark-wahlberg-all-the-money-in-the-world-christopher-plummer-approval
It should be recognised that others such as director Ridley Scott also apparently worked for free / minimum scale.
Part of the issue here is that Williams is actually a bigger ‘name’ actor on this film than Wahlberg – he’s third on the cast list, she’s first – and that Ridley had been public that everyone was coming back to do the reshoots for free / low cost because they believed in the project. So that makes Wahlberg look very bad to behave as he did, even if he donated that money to Times Up in Williams’ name after things blew up.
But going back to the reference made on stage, a big factor is that for Wahlberg, this was just another job. Williams could have asked ‘what she was worth’ like he did, but it could have sunk a movie where she had a headline role – something that’s rare for Hollywood films to offer women*. There was some assumption that “All the Money in the World” wouldn’t even be released due to Kevin Spacey’s involvement, so for Williams it’s not as simple as being ‘happy’ at what she was paid.
For Williams this was a rare opportunity to be a headliner, so she worked hard, worked with the team to get things done and did the extra for less pay. For Wahlberg, this was a job he’d already taken a 20% pay cut to do (so he was paid $12m instead of $15m) and he had other projects lined up where he’d be top name, so he could easily squeeze the production for extra money (and do it secretly, so it only came out through leaks). If they didn’t pay, he wouldn’t do the reshoots, the film might crash, but he’d already been paid and it wasn’t his film. He had headline positions on other films already guaranteed.
If you are taking the lesson away from this example, it really isn’t about woman being ‘happy’ with being paid less, or just saying yes. Or that Williams should have just worked through it without placing the onus on men to fix things, because she did that and STILL ended up being paid less. It was almost like the system in place was biased against her on some basis, or something.
*If anyone wants to go male-to-female comparisons of headliners for Hollywood films even for the last 12 months (which has been comparatively good for female-led films), men have a lot more headlining roles, so don’t even bother.
Internalised misogyny is real and it is a problem.
I am a successful, private school educated white woman who has never had her career derailed by sexism. I have not experienced sexual assault or harassment in the workplace.
But I am an exception, not the rule.
The job of senior women is not to denigrate or dismiss the experiences of other women because we were not directly affected by those same issues, it is our function to call out the fact that wage disparity, maternity leave and returning to the workplace, senior female representation and gender bias are ongoing issues in our industry.
To dismiss the “me too” movement as being a boon for black dress designers is glib, insulting dismissive and unworthy of anyone in a senior role, especially a woman.
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women”-Secretary Allbright
Well said Jessica. Totally agree.
No one has ever denied that sexism is a real thing that people experience every day, but it is refreshing to finally see someone in a senior position speak out against all the crap that goes on.
Gender quota’s are not a good solution and never will be. Trying to force some kind of equality will only do one thing, create inequality.
I’ve seen comments here of people saying they want to leave the media industry because of Lou’s comments, doesn’t that provide exactly her point? If you just roll over and not put in the effort to prove yourself (just like men have done for generations) then you won’t get anywhere. If you are expecting to be promoted/praised in the workplace simply for being a woman, then you are the exact reason why women may be discriminated against.
This comments section does a great job of demonstrating why modern feminism is a joke.
Where has anyone said they expect to be praised for “just being a woman?” If you find it refreshing for a senior woman to make a punchline out of a movement supporting victims of sexual assault, if you think modern feminism (aka equality) “is a joke” then guess what, you are part of the problem.
Interesting that you think all men have gotten where they are by putting in the effort and proving themselves- implying that it’s lack of effort that is women’s undoing. It’s easy to work hard and ‘prove yourself’ when it’s already assumed you are right for the job, much harder to prove yourself against a system that assumes you’re not.
Her comments are from the stone-age and I suspect there are lots of people commenting here who will be brand marketers with the power to impact Newscorp ad sales here, or send emails to the Newscorp CEO expressing your displeasure. Time to put your money where your mouth is.
There is no such thing as meritocracy. Look around you at SOME (#notallmen) of the senior men of our industry and if you think they all got there on merit alone, because they’re the best we’ve got, I’ve got a Harbour Bridge to sell you.
I’d also like to point out that people love to bring up the evil of quotas, except where do they exist? Where are they? I’d bloody love to get my hands on one of these mythical “escalators to the top”. It’s a shame they don’t exist. So we’ll just have to wait the 732 years or whatever it is for equality to organically happen because no one wants to be the person to admit that the concept of merit is a crock in the first place and therefore, disrupting existing ratios by forcing recruitment searches within underrepresented demographies is in fact, likely to deliver good outcomes.
Finally, would it be churlish of me to point out that as influential as these women are, each of them reports in to (or in the case of Think TV is funded by) men in suits? Would I get on stage and talk about the failure of our largely male executive force to do more than talk about gender equality (yes, yes #notallmen), and then go back to work without fear of reprimand if I was them? Probably not. Women’s places in this industry are largely given at the largesse of men. Whether that’s consciously recognised or not, that is the reality.
So no personal blame on any of the women on the panel because I think this session was designed to amplify unconscious bias and was flawed from the get go.
“The solution, is a “great support network” at home, she said, which will enable women to do more in the workplace. In the absence of a strong family unit or supportive husband “then it’s finding yourselves great day cares and great nannies and things like that”.
– If that is the wisdom on offer from your pick of ‘The Female Power Players’ then we are absolutely nowhere.
Lou your blatant disregard and disrespect for other women’s struggles is appalling. Your comments discredit all that you stand for at News Corp and the movement for female empowerment. As a strong female leader in the media industry you could have used your platform for the greater good.
So a woman must not say she made it without men derailing her career. She must acknowledge there is a problem every step of the way, and must not give an opinion without bowing to the rising cries of crucify all men.
She must always acknowledge that, in Australia where good education is available, that she has used it to succeed. Bring on the hair shirt. It takes brains and a good study path to succeed in the incredibly difficult world of the money-tight media today. It’s not privilege – it’s making the best of what you have. If you’re not white and not educated – you can actually become educated in this amazing country. You can be successful.
The “Me Too” movement succeeded in a few men being charged, and a few other being tried by the public court and losing their careers. It certainly raised the problem of terrible behaviour in the entertainment industry – but that has been called into account hundreds of times – going back to the infamous crimes in the 1920s. What happened? Not much. I agree with Lou Barrett – it ended up being a ‘black dress’ red carpet publicity strut for too many women, who ended up sabotaging, what was great intentions. But prove it different if you are so outraged by her statement. The dreadful stories were horrific but Harvey W still has to be brought to trial. And the black dress factor did rule.
How the huge number of women who were at these panel events, and who are working successfully in so many businesses in this industry, even got there, seems conveniently overlooked in this usual suspects whinge.
you have missed it by so far
Way to spectacularly miss the point.
Lots of women have been supported by men in their career. But to suggest that is the norm for everyone and there is no bigger issue that needs addressing is simply wrong. And to those who experience discrimination because of their gender, colour or background, it is offensively wrong.
Is it really so difficult to understand that not everything is about the individual and their narrow range of personal experience?
You both spectatcularly missed every point by this far:
Nowhere did I suggest there is not an issue.
Nowhere did I suggest anything about ignoring discrimination.
Nowhere did I say this is “My” personal experience.
Maybe if you can be bothered to read it again without the outrage flag flying – I’m not bothered if you don’t – you might see I’m saying why can’t women talk about success without blaming or acknowledging it’s all about men. That’s there’s so few that it’s a ‘narrow’ field? It is not. Check out the media companies,
Apple and Google. No ‘man’ put then there. The panel tried to go there and got shot down.
I’m still asking for proof that Lou Barrett was wrong – she’s not.
I know and have dealt with all of these ladies on both a personal and professional level for many years. Whilst I don’t agree with the comments made and can see they do come across poorly, they wouldnt have intended to hurt anyone. Alex, Lou and Nic (I don’t know Kim as well) are some of the hardest working and most generous women in the industry. I know if I needed help with something they would be there in a heartbeat & without question. We all make mistakes and when I/you do I hope people are more understanding ?
4 Women walk into a panel…..probably the first time 4 women of this calibre have shared the stage…and then they get cut down by the press. I wasn’t there but I do know many of the women on stage and they are all extraordinary. It sounds like a very honest, get off the fence type of conversation, whilst some of the views may be challenging to some, we all have our own story that should be shared. I doubt these women or many others will be as brave to speak so openly now after this level of ‘witch hunting’. Lastly I’m not suprised that Alex Sloane stood out – she has been a bit of a heroine of mine for a while, always challenging the norm and leading the path for others.
Honestly not a witch hunt.
Please watch the video before commenting because it was horrendous & Alex seemed to cringe her way through the session.
So Lou felt the need to send in a clarification after being attacked on this blog. It appears you have thrown her to the wolves and made sure her comments were as open to as much misinterpretation as possible. So you could get a few more clicks and generate more outrage. Then you allow people to abuse her, ‘A special place in hell’. What a disgrace.
I can understand why people will disagree with Lou’s POV around women succeeding in the work place. But to write your article in such a way as to remotely suggest she is telling abused or harassed women to ‘just get on with it’ is negligent in the extreme. Really disappointing Vivienne. Very poor form.
Hi ‘Take more care Vivienne’,
Thanks for your feedback.
I took extreme care with this piece. Part of the reason the article is so quote heavy is so I could include context and detail, and not JUST grab the headline-generating “#metoo” element of the discussion.
I had a good-natured discussion with Lou about this piece, and she then decided it was worth clarifying her comments so that her support of the movement was more clear.
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Why haven’t you published my comment calling into question Vivienne’s journalism of this piece? There was nothing rude, nor offensive. No bad language, no name calling. It was an honest opinion on the motives of the author and her desire to put clickbait up here at the expense of the reputations of these women. As Ellie Rogers has pointed out, you set these women up to be hunted like witches by the mob that frequents this site. At least stand behind your actions.
Hi there,
Your comment has been published. Apologies for the delay. We had a lot of comments to moderate on this piece.
I do stand behind my actions, but also allow the criticism that comes with it (as you will see in another comment on here calling me ‘scum’).
Vivienne – Mumbrella
“Empowered women, empower women”.
Once again a Mumbrella ‘journalist’ lines people up to be abused and attacked. Vivienne is obviously learning from Tim. What a grubby group of people.
Tim. Grow some. When your journalist screws up like Vivienne does, front up. She’s set these women up so your grubby little site can get clicks. Apologise to them. You’ve thrown them to the wolves. They deserve better. You don’t. You and Vivienne should hang your heads in shame. Scum.
Hi ‘Come on Tim’/ ‘Scumbrella’,
We don’t agree this was a screw up. I didn’t “set the women up”. I attended a session at Advertising Week and reported on the most interesting elements of it. Nobody forced anybody to say anything, and the full session is available online to watch via Advertising Week if anyone thinks I have been misleading or misquoted the speakers.
Some people agree with you that my angle was a bit unfair. Many people have said that to my face. More people, however, have told me they were in the room and were glad the session was reported this way – including a number of upset young women who approached me at Advertising Week after my story had been published.
Interesting to note that you think it’s inappropriate/ mean for me to quote these women (thus inviting the comment thread feedback/pile on), but you think it IS okay to say what I do and don’t deserve, and call me “scum”. Feels a bit grubby to me.
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Having attended this session and having the privilege of working for Lou Barrett currently and previously, I know first hand that she is the most inspiring, supportive, knowledgeable and well regarded leader I have ever worked for. What she expects of me, as a woman, is no different to my male colleagues, it’s doing your job with integrity, professionalism and delivering best in market – in collaboration with each other internally and our clients and agency partners. She is exceptionally well respected, well regarded and admired and those that took her comments out of context and hide behind aliases or anonymous posting should stop and revisit her career, her character and how she has run her own race and continued to support and nurture those coming through the ranks, her staff, clients and friends regardless of gender, age and the like.
So she didn’t make the comment about the only people benefiting from the me too movement being black dress designers? Cos I listened to the audio and that seemed to be what she said. And I don’t want to write off her achievements or your own personal experiences with her but for a senior woman to make that kind of comment is absolutely horrifying and not owning up to it and apologising is disappointing.
Which is why Lou missed a massively opportunity to support woman and provide the leadership to say, this does happen to women and its not okay. As one of Australia’s most senior and respected female executives in the male dominated media industry Lou Barrett had the perfect opportunity to be a role model for all women in media and stand up the misogyny and support equality. But she didn’t, she stood with all then men in her industry and told her female colleagues to get on with it and just accept it.
Women not supporting women, what a disgrace!
Talk about something being taken out of context!! From being there and watching it I thought the panel were brilliant with their honesty. Lou is one of the best in the industry as are the rest of the other panellists in what they do so the comments are both unfair and unjustified!!
I was enraged when Lou said this and I thought to myself, “Is this how senior execs in News Corp think?”
Shudder.
It’s sad to see lengths we have gone to here to publicly shine negativity on what was in all good faith intended to be a human and open exchange from some of our industries finest. I personally have had the pleasure of working with Nicola and Lou who are each inspired role models who I have always witnessed encouraging the rise of women around them in the industry. I have rarely felt more empowered than under Lou’s leadership. These anonymous comments are not fitting to any movement supporting equality in our industry.
Which is precisely why Lou missed a perfect opportunity as a well respected executive female leader to be a role model for other women and stand up for equality standards. With such a positive role model, who knows maybe Newscorp might finally be able to attract some decent talent instead of all the overpaid talentless blokes who work there!!
Just by being on the platform, every woman there, successful in their own careers, were role models.
You managed to rudely shade everyone in your pious retort.
…she said the wrong thing, you need to not defend your idol at this point in time.
Can you still consider yourself a feminist defending Lou simply because of her standing in an organization?
I love ot when the ‘merit’ argument comes out. Really? How many useless people have you seen in high positions (usually male)….did they get there on merit? Did Ivana Trump become a White House advisor on merit?
As for the ‘gone too far’ debate, a panel like this wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the work of feminist movement over many decades. How can any part of that fight for equality be ‘going too far’ until equality is well and truly obvious and these debates don’t exist?
@Basky: While Lou did put her hand up to be part of the panel, some of the comments she’d made didn’t sit well with a lot of the audience members and understandably so. Perhaps Lou didn’t intend to offend people with what she did, but the outcome is, she did.