The Communications Council's Gender Diversity Working Group has unveiled three work streams to tackle the issue of gender equality in adland which will look at culture, client demand, leadership and more.
The group was formed last year under to address the issue and has since conducted two rounds of research – qualitative and quantitative – to take stock of the landscape.
The three streams will focus on 'Culture, client demands and flexible work practices', 'CEO awareness and building people-centricity in the agency model' and 'Career, ambitions and leadership'.
They will be led by Gender Diversity Working Group chair and Holla Agency principal Alex Allwood, Loud chief executive Lorraine Jokovic and The Communications Council chief executive Margaret Zabel.
Agency representatives to join the three streams include The Monkey's Brandon Bisnette, Ogilvy's Elizabeth Clerke, Edelman's Michelle Hutton, Buchanan Group's Suzanne Acteson and Host's Suzie Shaw.
Jokovic said: “While there are many contributing factors to this perception of inequality, this figure is alarmingly high – particularly when on closer inspection, almost a quarter of respondents put this down to crude sexist remarks and references to appearance, 21% to being paid less than men, and more than one in five stated it was due to a lack of respect, not being valued, appreciated or taken seriously.”
Findings from the streams will be presented by the group to the national Communications Council board from August.
Research from the group found three quarters of women in the industry have been treated differently due to their gender while barriers tended to be more of a problem in large agencies.
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