Archive for: PR

On Monday, we published an article that argued a form of inclusion rider (a quota which has been advocated by Oscar-winner Frances McDormand), would help the PR industry’s diversity problem.

But do quotas actually work?

Specialist recruiter Miramar Global Executive Search points out that while some studies suggest having at least 20% women in leadership teams increases innovation, these successes can’t be linked to quotas.

Miramar has found that studies of companies’ performance, decision making and stock market returns, from multiple countries, have failed to confirm that quotas make a difference.

It argues that workplaces are complex, and suggests those companies with at least 20% female leadership may have recruited from a wider pool of talent, without a quota. This is problematic in and of itself, as Miramar asks: ‘why should the search for female talent have to be more extensive than the search for commercial talent of the opposite gender?’

This is a huge problem, and particularly in PR where women make up the vast majority of the industry but are still underpaid compared to their male counterparts. Within the first three years of their career, women are paid £10,000 less. In PR, it shouldn’t be hard to find qualified and successful women – but due to institutionalised sexism, they’re being left behind.

This is not restricted to the PR industry, or even just the business world, as Miramar points out, ‘there’s a larger societal issue that must be addressed in order to banish gender roles and achieve optimum opportunity for all’.

Joanna Arnold agrees with this. The CEO of Access Intelligence (the parent company of Vuelio) said in an interview for International Women’s Day: ‘Undoubtedly there are early social pressures – gendered toys, that kind of thing – which are reinforced by broader social structures as girls grow up.  And of course, those broader social structures are mirrored in the corporate world.’

If quotas don’t work, what’s the solution?

Miramar says that to truly achieve effective diversity, ‘Organisations need to implement inclusive training programmes to nurture and encourage all staff to rise through the ranks. Likewise, they could consider more flexible working hours and better share of parental leave to alleviate pressure which can discourage women from advancing to roles with more responsibility.’

Filling up numbers in order to hit targets is not good enough; companies need to be encouraging and supporting women so they have the same opportunities – and, more importantly, they also feel they have the same opportunities – as their male counterparts.

Joanna said: ‘I do believe fundamental change is coming. For young girls today, technology is just a normal part of their everyday lives. There are apprenticeships dedicated to helping women get started in the industry and academies to help them progress. And I think of myself as part of a new generation of leaders whose approach marks a challenge to those established corporate structures. All these things are working in concert to create a more diverse, more dynamic, more welcoming workplace.’

Change is coming, but everyone could do more to support it. Educate your staff; encourage, accommodate and understand that not everyone is equal in the workplace. This will allow you to support those who need it and create a fairer environment for every employee on the team, and anyone looking to join you.

It’s International Women’s Day.

Women make up the majority of the UK’s PR industry, but get paid significantly less. Sexual harassment is endemic and assault all too common. Women continued to be overlooked, underrepresented and side-lined.

This #IWD2018, we’ve spoken to a number of leading women in comms to find out what it is like for women in this industry, their thoughts on International Women’s Day, and advice for other women who want to enter the world of PR.

This is part three. Read part one and part two. 

Jenifer Stirton is the Director of Stockbridge PR

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a woman in the PR industry today?
I have worked in the PR industry for over 30 years and I love it. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t still be working in it. But I did learn early on that I had to do more than my male colleagues if I wanted to progress and there was no room for shrinking violets. I had to speak up and challenge why I couldn’t lead on an issue or apply for a more senior role that was in an ‘all male team’.

But things need to change. The pay gap is totally unacceptable in any industry and all women in PR should be given the same career opportunities and salary increases as our male colleagues, based on ability and achievement not the tap on the shoulder from ‘the boys club’.

We also need to work together to stop sexual harassment wherever we witness it and support each other by calling it out when it happens. If we don’t talk about it and challenge that behaviour then nothing will change.

The first Equal Pay Act was passed in 1970 (thank you Barbara Castle) and while that was a huge milestone for working women we still have a way to go to achieve ‘proper’ equal pay.

How would you use public relations to promote International Women’s Day?
To shout from the rooftops and every channel what women have achieved against great adversity with lots of everyday examples/role models that everyone can relate to and with a key message that we can and will do more if we all work together to eradicate inequality.

The Time’s up movement is really starting to drive change in the entertainment industry and I think it’s a great example of women coming together to say no more with open and vocal support from male colleagues.

In the anniversary of women getting the vote – against insurmountable odds – we can be a force for positive change in other areas.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?
Don’t be put off by recent surveys. Change is coming and we are all pushing hard to achieve that. You will meet some great inspirational people and be inspired by them and learn new things every day.

Work hard, respect each other, don’t accept second best, get a good network you can turn to for support and advice – and always challenge inappropriate behaviour wherever you find it.

Sarah Stimson is the chief executive of the Taylor Bennett Foundation

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a women in the PR industry today?
It is grim reading indeed, but I don’t think it’s a huge surprise to women in the industry. There is increasing support for women with returnship programmes, more agile working across agencies, and support from organisations like Women in PR, the CIPR and PRCA. The transparency around harassment can only be a good thing, and more organisations will take steps to tackle it. More women than ever are reaching the top of the profession, although there is still some work to be done, so the future is bright for women entering the industry.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?
Network endlessly. Find female PR practitioners you admire and build relationships with them – social media makes that pretty easy these days. Beware of imposter syndrome and take credit where it’s due. As you progress in your career help other women entering the industry – don’t pull the ladder up behind you.

Jennifer Thomas is the Head of Internal Communications, Experience & Sustainability at Direct Line Group

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a woman in the PR industry today?
There are many positives to working in such a dynamic industry where reputation is key to the success for any business. Women have a real seat at the table and a very important role to play in helping organisations build on their brand and reputation. I believe we see the world through a different lens and can bring a business to life through its customers’ eyes in a unique way. However, the recent survey clearly highlights there is still some way to go to ensure women are not only safe in their working environments, but that they feel truly empowered within the industry… this dynamic must shift.

How would you use public relations to promote International Women’s Day?
IWD presents an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, but to also re-evaluate what is needed to continue to #PressforProgress. It’s also a day to connect with our male allies and advocates, of which there are many. A PR campaign that not only reflects on our amazing women, but also showcases our male allies would be powerful. We will achieve greater change faster if we work together rather than against each other.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?

1. Shine, fine tune your trade and always be amazing at your job
2. Be resilient, take risks, but stay true to who you are
3. Network, network, network – find your allies and cheerleaders!

It’s International Women’s Day.

Women make up the majority of the UK’s PR industry, but get paid significantly less. Sexual harassment is endemic and assault all too common. Women continued to be overlooked, underrepresented and side-lined.

This #IWD2018, we’ve spoken to a number of leading women in comms to find out what it is like for women in this industry, their thoughts on International Women’s Day, and advice for other women who want to enter the world of PR.

This is part one, read part two and three here. 

Shamima Begum is an executive director at Golin

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a woman in the PR industry today?
I’ve been very fortunate to work at Golin for such as a long time, as diversity and inclusion has always been a top priority for us. Our leadership team at Golin is 64% female, which includes our MD, Deputy MD and Finance Director, who are all strong, inspirational women. This culture has provided the opportunity to lead and not be afraid to do so. Working in the male-dominated technology PR sector has occasionally created challenges as a woman, but we have a strong, diverse team at Golin who work together to tackle any issues.

How would you use public relations to promote International Women’s Day?
It’s a great opportunity to profile some of the most inspirational women within your business and this should be done at all levels, with people from all different walks of life who have achieved or made an impact despite any adversity or obstacles they faced. People are inspirational for different reasons and we need to use IWD to tell their stories.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?
Don’t be afraid to be yourself. When I entered the world of PR nearly 15 years ago it felt daunting. For many years I never came across a woman in a leadership position from a BAME background, never mind someone who was born and grew up in East London. By being myself and speaking my mind, I’ve found that the right people are receptive and value my opinion. Personally, it’s got me to where I am today.

Sarah Hall is a PR and marketing agency owner, founder of #FuturePRoof and President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) for 2018

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a woman in the PR industry today?
I’ve had some bad experiences in the past but right now it feels like a great time to be a woman in public relations. Change is definitely in the air. It’s long overdue but we’ve seen a series of high profile female appointments to senior roles and there are all kinds of support networks now in place designed to support female talent, such as the Women in PR and PR Week mentoring scheme.

Culturally we are seeing a huge shift within the world of business where there is finally a recognition that certain behaviours are no longer acceptable. But while the Government now requires organisations with more than 250 employees to publish their salary data, this still doesn’t go far enough to close the pay gap.

Businesses should all have to carry out gender and diversity audits and as per this #FuturePRoof blog, there are steps we can all take to pay the workplace a fairer place to be.

How would you use public relations to promote International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is designed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

The challenge is that while there is a crescendo of voices, they tend to be mainly female.

I’d embark on an influencer relations campaign recruiting senior male leaders to promote and encourage female talent. If the C-Suite recognises and communicates the value of so called ‘softer skills’ in the boardroom and workplace, we can finally stop this nonsense about women needing to be more assertive, which actually just reinforces the status quo.

We are different to men and difference is good. We need to focus on harnessing our complementary skillsets and then ensure there is equal access to opportunities, which is where the discrepancy lies right now.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?
Here’s a few ideas to help both men and women:

• Find your own path and choose your own measures of success
• Outside hobbies are good for your mental health so don’t give them up – PR can be a very demanding business
• Don’t be afraid to try different things. Public relations is a diverse career and continues to evolve. Explore your options until you find what you love
• Think long-term. Don’t just build a tactical skillset. You need strategic, ethical and leadership competencies too
• Identify role models and mentors who can provide inspiration and help you on your career journey
• Find like-minded people and collaborate on new projects. It’s hugely rewarding and a fantastic way to continue your professional development
• If you’re coming back from maternity leave, be firm in needing flexibility. If your employer isn’t prepared to consider agile working, even in this world of 24/7 media and community management, it might not be the right workplace for you so move on
• Get involved with an industry body like the CIPR. You’ll build your knowledge and networks and enhance your employability for sure

Bibi Hilton is the president of Women in PR and MD of Golin London

The recent PRWeek/PRCA/Women in PR sexual harassment survey makes for grim reading. What’s it like working as a woman in the PR industry today?
I think, as with most things, the experiences of women working in the PR industry today are incredibly varied. That a gender pay gap exists, and sexual harassment is prevalent, is unfortunately a shock to no one. But it is shocking that as an industry we are not yet effectively and consistently addressing the harassment and unacceptable behaviour towards women that does exist. Women make up the majority in our industry and every one of those women has the right to do her job without being harassed, to have access to fair and clear channels to report unacceptable behaviour, and to feel confident it will be properly addressed and not swept under the carpet.

How would you use public relations to promote International Women’s Day?
One of the most important things about International Women’s Day is that it brings so many groups of people together who are focused on driving change. There is a lot of noise around International Women’s Day, but for us on the committee and our members, every day is Women’s Day. We have decided not to create our own events this year but instead to use our network and profile to support existing IWD events. We are supporting the Media Trust’s breakfast panel debate and some of our members are volunteering as mentors. We have also shared discount codes as one of our member benefits to numerous events being held in London.

What advice would you give women who want to enter the PR industry?
Young people today have more paths of communication between themselves and potential employers, recruiters and career champions than ever before, and they should make the most of it – network like hell, on and offline! With sites like LinkedIn it is so easy to build your own network and profile with potential employers.

I think my main advice would be to be brave. Be brave enough to ask senior professionals for guidance where you can, so that you can learn from their experience and open up new opportunities. Be brave in the content you create to showcase your creativity and skills. Create a blog or Instagram feed that you can show to a potential employer to demonstrate your writing and imagination. And finally, be brave in asking for what you want. Research shows that the gender pay gap opens for women so early on in their career, and this is often because they don’t negotiate their first salary. So, I would say go for it and negotiate – you may not get it but they will definitely respect you for asking.