CIM adds new voices to debate on position of women in the marketing workplace
Wednesday, 31 July 2013 00:00
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The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has published a new discussion paper considering the representation of women in the marketing profession.
The paper is intended as a contribution to the on-going debate and as an invitation to marketers to share their views.
The new paper is the product of a roundtable discussion between a panel of senior female marketers convened by CIM from some of the biggest brands and businesses in the world. Contributors to the paper have highlighted the problems they have experienced in their own careers and organisations and suggested potential solutions. Issues covered include quotas and targets for female representation on boards, differences in remuneration, the potential benefits of mentoring programmes and the representation of marketing in general at senior executive levels.
Contributors to the discussion and the paper include Google UK and Ireland Strategic Marketing Director Sarah Speake, Marketing Director UK and Ireland Ellie Mickleburgh, YouTube Director of Global Marcomm Anna Bateson and Mars Chocolate President Fiona Dawson.
CIM Chief Executive Anne Godfrey said: “While marketing as a profession is very effective at attracting female talent, the vast majority of graduate and entry-level positions are held by women; a mere 23% of marketing and sales directors are female. What is happening to these women, where are they getting lost on the career ladder, and why are they not progressing to CMO level alongside their male counterparts?
“Our roundtable participants covered the full range of issues, including quotas. Some argue that quotas stipulating the number of women at a particular management level have the potential to focus minds and help to level the playing field, but they often only make the problem worse. Women won’t go for jobs for fear of being seen as only there to make up the quota; transparent targets and real culture change are much more effective.”
Godfrey concluded: “Marketing needs good women just as much as it needs good men. For the profession to truly assert itself within the business community, we need the very best senior marketers taken from a diverse and able talent pool.
In publishing this paper we’re adding a handful of very senior and experienced voices to the on-going discussion, but we want to hear your thoughts too, we want to hear your experiences, the problems you’ve faced, what’s worked and what we need to do.”
