Why are there so few?
What does it take to make it as a female CEO in the Australian media, marketing and entertainment industry? In a piece that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen investigates.
It didn’t take long for a flood of congratulations to arrive. Within minutes of the news of her appointment as chief executive officer of media agency MindShare breaking, Katie Rigg-Smith was inundated with congratulatory messages.
Many of the messages she received were from the usual suspects: colleagues, competitors and industry observers but there was another group quick to congratulate the 34-year-old, who is now the only woman currently leading a major Australian media agency.
“I received a lot of emails, Facebook and LinkedIn messages from young women saying they were excited to see a female become CEO,” says Rigg-Smith.
thank you Annie Parsons for knocking Wendy Bacon’s nonsense on its head
stick to journalism Wendy because you obviously can’t interpret data
it doesn’t logically follow that a higher representation of senior men in media and marketing roles is due to a glass ceiling, especially in an industry that rewards women’s often superior verbal and written communication skills
often women don’t want the stress and time away from their families that senior jobs demand – especially if they have an economically supportive partner
many men would love to have this option as well but believe they have no choice but to continue striving in the existing paradigm
What a great article Nic!
I recently read this article (http://www.city-journal.org/20.....emale.html), which explores the notion that women don’t want top corporate positions. The majority end up having children and would rather stay close to their kids as they believe you can’t have it all. It sits in line with the comments made around careers being curtailed by children.
The thing I like about the article is the suggestion that alpha personalities (male or female) still follow the fight. Regardless of the conditions, they’ll work the long and almost impossible hours to reach the top. It’s in their veins… but it’s not a life for everyone, nor should it be.
Can’t help thinking the real tragedy isn’t the gender bias itself as much as it is that its what everyone seems only interested in talking about.
Wendy obviously worked bloody hard, has already delivered numerous key business wins to get the nod for the top spot. (Although that detail doesn’t seem to be getting much attention).
I’m presuming she’ll be bringing an approach and capability to the Mindshare business the Exec board felt others could not as well…. she is isn’t she? For some reason I can’t seem to find much information about that either.
Its nice to know that she’s a women, (although the name ‘Wendy’ kind of gave that away) We are going to hear something business relevant too won’t we… eventually?
Congratulations Wendy BTW. Bad luck on being a women though.