The AdNews NGen Blog: Don't pigeonhole yourself

12 March 2014

The discussion revolving around senior women in the media – or the lack thereof – seems to come up every few months, most recently with APN chief executive Michael Miller bringing it up for discussion at the Future Forum at the end of August 2013.

But why all the fuss? The lack of women in senior roles is something most industries face – there’s a stark imbalance when it comes to which gender holds the majority of power roles in Australia.

I can sometimes find myself feeling a little disconnected from my fighting sisters. Perhaps us 20-somethings are simply coasting on the spoils from battles fought before our time, but I think the reason behind my lax attitude could in fact lie a little closer to home.

According to the most recent Australian Census of Women in Leadership, 16.4% of directors in the ASX 200 are women, compared with 15.4% in 2012. Good news is, and all males be warned, we’re slowly going to take over the world! Each year we’ve seen an increase in female involvement in positions of power, and this is something to be celebrated.

Early in 2013, ZenithOptimedia CEO Ian Perrin published an article from the men of the Media Federation outlining their concern for the current inequality. With few CEO positions held by women, Ian put it to the Australian media industry that there is a problem in great need of a solution and asked for a movement of opinions to hopefully create change.

Fact and ‘problem’ is that there aren’t many females in senior industry roles. But how does this inequality affect me as a young female in the industry? Quite simply – it doesn’t.

In a 2011 article published in The Australian, Cathy O’Connor was quoted saying, "I see a lot of the women who work in our company absolutely existing in a world where they think they can go all the way." I am proud to say that I consider myself one of those women and that this is the world I choose to live in.

At my agency, strong, influential women are presently filling the majority of directorial roles. And in such a positive and supportive environment, I can honestly say that I don’t feel like my gender is holding me back. So when it comes to the challenges I face and the professional goals I hope to reach, I see the path ahead of me as in no way different to that of my male counterparts. This is the strategy I would employ you to take on.

Maybe we all just need to do great work, take every opportunity, and not pigeonhole ourselves into gender stereotypes. I chose to take full advantage of my situation, work my absolute hardest and become the best person I can be. Not woman, but person. The best person I can be... while wearing a fantastic dress.

Rebecca Haining
Account Executive
ZenithOptimedia

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