To mark International Women's Day on March 8th, we take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible accomplishments of women everywhere. To gain insight into what this day means for some of our team members, we sat down and had a chat with them about their personal journeys.

Introducing Kylie (Head of Digital), Chavvah (Head of Production), Tanya (Business Director), Soph (Senior Manager, Social Media Communities) and Hayley (Head of Media Strategy).

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Kylie: As a NZ-Pakeha woman gratefully living on Wurundjeri land, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate those who inspire me to be a better advocate for a more equitable society. 

I come from the first country to give women the right to vote, and one of my ancestors signed the 1891 Victorian Women’s Suffrage Petition (in Djilang /Geelong), so on International Women’s Day, I always reflect on my own contribution, recognise women’s voices who inspire me and celebrate achievements over the last year.

I acknowledge my own privilege during this time too. I live in a country where there are reproductive rights, I work in an environment where women's voices are the loudest; we have a good parental leave policy [at Hotglue], and a newly established breastfeeding area, as well as abundant representation of women within the leadership team. But we still live in a world where there is a lot of work to do to eliminate inequalities and gender bias, end misogyny and violence against women. So, on International Women's day I also like to reassess how I can continue to be an ally and advocate for people around me.

Chavvah: Overall, I think it’s a great day to celebrate what we have achieved in equality and a reminder to be excited by all the future possibilities alongside a united front of strong and diverse female voices.

I also feel it’s a great opportunity to help reframe any archaic assumptions and biases that may still be held, and to give all individuals a modern perspective to celebrate. As we move away from an idea or a definition of what it historically means to be a woman, we create room to embrace and nurture our individual strengths, unique perspectives and powerful voices.

The day represents an opportunity to move “beyond pink” and build a culture that continues to prioritise equality and celebrate feminine values. We collectively still have some distance to cover in order to strengthen the foundation for the next generation of females. This is why it’s important to constantly find ways to ignite curiosity and inspire advocacy in each other and for ourselves. But lastly, it’s the need to always create space to listen to the female futurists — not only just on International Women’s Day.

Soph: It’s a day of gratitude to all the women who have had a positive and powerful impact on the world, within their country, and community. Of course, I’m also grateful to the incredible women who have been and continue to be a part of my life. It’s also a celebration of how bloody cool we ladies are.

Why do you think diversity in the workplace is so important?

Kylie: Diversity, in all of its shapes and forms, is one of the most important elements of a thriving workplace. Our unique histories woven together are a rich tapestry for creativity! Not only does diversity bring new perspectives to the table, but stretches our own thinking to be open to the possibility of new ideas too. 

Chavvah: Whether it’s at home or in the boardroom, it’s important we operate with integrity and a clear sense of self that is emboldened and can manifest in all we do. Diversity is key to this and is important in order to achieve balanced and considered views from a cross-section of backgrounds and perspectives. This is especially important in advertising as we constantly need to shift our thinking to a consumer-centric mindset, by tapping into a very diverse set of values.

What we do in the workplace also helps to inform how we approach marketing strategies for our brands. And in this ever-evolving landscape of media, it’s now more important than ever to communicate in authentic and meaningful ways. We believe that personalised and values-led conversations with staff will in turn help us to sculpt how to create compelling storytelling and purposeful connections for and with our clients.

Hayley: I think diversity (in all areas, not just gender; i.e. ethnicity, age, life stage, levels of experience, category backgrounds, etc) is so important in providing a well-rounded perspective. If you are not exposed to new people, new ideas and new experiences then you will not grow and progress. No single person (or typecast) can represent the diverse nature of our world and industry.

How has the media landscape changed over your time in the industry?

Tanya: WOW, where to start… Between the rise of social media and the shift to streaming platforms (when I started there were four TV stations to buy against…showing my age!), [there is] never a dull moment with all the new tech and platforms constantly emerging. What’s next I wonder?

Soph: May I answer with…a lot? I remember when it was all about TV, radio, and newspapers — the ones that leave you with black hands during your Sunday brunch. The most fascinating thing to witness has been the impact of the changing media landscape on my Gen Z nieces and nephews. They’re all different and use media for differing purposes, like connecting with friends, impacting social change and being a part of political discussions, and watching episodes of Seinfeld many times over. I am excited to see what comes next.

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given throughout your career?

Kylie: I have been very lucky to have worked with and been mentored by some incredible women throughout my career to date. In one of my first years of media, my mentor and manager, a woman many decades ahead into her own career, told me very simply that "you don't need to have all the answers.” The reminder that all of us, whether we are merely weeks into our career or decades down the path, we are all still students and on a journey. We never truly stop learning, and it's a philosophy I subscribe to and like to encourage now I manage and mentor others. 

Chavvah: I’ve been fortunate enough to have both strong and intelligent female mentors in my career and to also work alongside some very inspiring women. The diversity in these women’s strengths has helped me grow immensely — both professionally and personally — but they all had some commonality. They were always in pursuit of a continuous learning mindset. No matter how successful you become, there is always more to learn from those around you.

But no two hands are the same; comparison is the greatest thief. So, just stay curious, be obsessed with learning and celebrate all of you, in everything you do.

Hayley: A key piece of advice I’ve received over the years was to do with work life balance as a mum and improving your mindset around “doing it all”. I had another mum explain to me how she sets her boundaries and expectations around her work days and hours, being realistic as to when she can be available to work (even outside of typical business hours, as we know will happen in this industry) and when she needs to shut off and focus on her children. This was pre the flexibility movement and COVID opening up acceptance of WFH.

Tanya: You can do this! To never stop learning, and to develop strong relationships, all which will allow you to put your best foot forward.

Soph: I have been given much advice from many incredible women. One piece came to me as a junior in a big organisation negotiating a promotion with a senior and experienced leader. During our second catch-up, I was especially assertive with my needs when I stopped and apologised. This incredible woman told me she was impressed with my assertiveness; apologies were unnecessary. She told me it was valuable to be a strong negotiator, this is an essential skill I will need personally and it was also beneficial to the organisation. “There will be times when you need to be assertive, strategic, and sharp in representing this company. Your negotiation shows me that you will be a wonderful representative for us.” These words stuck with me, and if I ever feel hesitant about standing up for myself, I remember that I am also demonstrating how I will stand up for the organisation of which I am a part.