When I started my 10-day campaign to raise £6k to get Kelly Gordon to Cannes, I thought several things:
It would be a great way to focus attention on Disabled talent in this industry, a demographic that is seldom seen in industry long lists—including my own.
It would help Emma and Kelly's business With Not For—which I have great respect for. They are so accomplished, professional and ambitious.
It would be easy.
Over the next 10 days I was going to learn a lot.
Read MoreWe're raising £6000 to get Kelly Gordon , co-founder of With Not For to the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. This isn't just about one person attending an event – it's about ensuring disabled talent has a seat at the table where the industry's most important decisions are made.
Read MoreI'm into the fifth year of Curious Connections, inclusive methods are central to my recruitment process. It's not just a tick box exercise, it's not a "pledge," it's just part of what I think a headhunter's job is: ie, find new voices, perspectives and the best people for the job.
Having said that, though, tick boxes can help - otherwise, how do I know if I'm walking the walk? This is my second year of measuring the demographics of candidates I present to my clients. I fully understand that stats can be manipulated to tell all sorts of stories, but it genuinely helps me focus my efforts and ensure I am delivering the widest of talent pools.
Here's what the data for year ending 2024 shows:
Read MoreWe want someone cool.' This seemingly simple request from creative agencies hides a multitude of biases in producer recruitment. I'm unpacking what 'cool' really means in the industry, why it's problematic for hiring, and how it might be costing companies their best talent. Discover why some of the most effective producers I know proudly identify as 'geeks' instead."
Read MoreWhat makes a truly exceptional Executive Producer in advertising? After years in the industry, I've identified the three essential pillars that set the best EPs apart from those simply chasing a title. Whether you're aspiring to become an EP or looking to hire one, understanding these three dimensions—entrepreneurial spirit, talent allyship, and production expertise—reveals why this role is more nuanced than many realize. Read on to discover if the EP path is truly right for you...
Read MoreI hate this job title, and I don't like 'Directors' rep' much more. It sounds reductive, inaccurate and puts off the exact talent that could thrive in the role. The reality? At last count, only 167 people have the basic qualifications for this essential creative production position. Apply just a few filters—experience level, company background, career aspirations, cultural preferences—and we're potentially talking about three qualified candidates in London. That's a niche search by anyone's standards.
Read More
