The Communications Council has joined 'The Gender Debate', with the publication of a list of women holding senior positions within the media industry.
The idea behind the list is to remind the media industry, and young women in particular, that it is not impossible for women to occupy senior roles.
The publication of the list, which was compiled in conjunction with AdNews, comes as a number of readers argue that women can only hit great heights if they are prepared to make personal sacrifices.
UM Melbourne MD Wendy Gower this week argued the opposite, holding herself out as an example of someone who manages to balance the demands of performing a senior role at one of Australia's largest media agencies with family life.
Chief executive of The Communications Council, Daniel Lessong told AdNews: "As an industry, we should be striving for gender diversity, including in top management. Gender diversity has repeatedly been linked to financial performance so there’s a clear business case for it, while it’s only natural that the industry reflects the diversity that exists beyond it.
"It's worth pointing out that there are some great women in top positions, and this list highlights a few of them. They make great role models for those aspiring to a position of influence and offer a glimpse of what’s to come."
The female mentors list in full:
Euro RSCG Australia Managing Director Julie Burke
Droga5 Managing Director Marianne Bess
kwp! Adelaide Joint Managing Partner Sylvia Mason
Leo Burnett Chief Executive Melinda Geertz
Loud Chief Operating Officer Lorraine Jokovic
Mango Communications (PR) Managing Director Simone Drewry
OBM Advertising Managing Director Danielle Moeller
Publicis Life Brands Australia General Manager Vikky Morris
IdeaWorks Managing Director Naseema Sparks
Venus Advertising Chief Executive Officer/Creative Director Bec Brideson
Host MD Suzie Shaw
Lavender Managing Director Rebecca James
Innovatio Managing Director Sarah Spiteri
Halo Brandbank Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Cordingley
Clemenger Proximity General Manager Elizabeth Fulcher
Pulse Marketing Group Managing Director Lauren Brown
Trilogy Advertising & Marketing Director Joanne Bulline
UNO Marcomms P/L General Manager Barbara Willoughby-Thomas
Moon CEO/ MD Anouk Darling
Holla Agency Agency Principal Alex Allwood
The Gender Debate
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