Australian creative Julia Spencer has been selected as a participant in the 2024 See It Be It talent acceleration program by Cannes Lions.
The announcement marks the 10th anniversary of Cannes’ See It Be It initiative, which strives to promote equal gender representation among global creative directors and leaders.
Spencer, known for her role as a freelance creative director and co-founder of the Australian Mums in Ads (MIA) network, joins a cohort of 19 creatives from 14 different markets.
Last year, MIA launched a jobs board featuring roles with full-time/part-time negotiable options, supported by 49 Australian agencies committed to promoting career progression opportunities for women.
This initiative, inspired by the Advertising Council Australia’s Create Space Census, aims to address the decline in women’s participation in the industry after the census revealed a marked decline in women’s participation in the industry from the age of 35.
“We’re proud to be helping move conversations about gender equity into a place of action and excited to witness our famously competitive industry coming together to make this issue a priority,” said Spencer at the time.
See also: MIA launches job board backed by ad agencies to keep senior women from leaving the industry
The selected See It Be It creatives come from diverse regions like the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Colombia, and the Netherlands. This year’s cohort also includes individuals from previously unrepresented markets such as Kazakhstan, Kenya, and Thailand.
Daniela Varela, creative director at TBWA\Chiat\Day has been appointed as the alumni tutor to provide support to the participants.
Madonna Badger, chairperson and ambassador of See It Be It, lauded the collective courage and purpose of the 2024 cohort.
“These exceptional creative women are reshaping the future of our industry and redefining what is possible,” said Badger.
“Their shared resolve to pursue excellence, break barriers and drive positive change is awe-inspiring and I absolutely love seeing each of them step into their power.”
Frank Starling, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at LIONS, further reaffirmed the program’s commitment to addressing gender imbalances and empowering women and non-binary individuals in the creative sector.
“See It Be It brings together the best and brightest leaders from around the world and we are proud to continue our mission to challenge the creative sector’s gender imbalance and empower women and non-binary creatives to excel in their careers,” said Starling.
“Our impressive alumni are Lion-winners, change-makers, disruptors and challengers in their disciplines, paving the way forward for future participants to flourish and challenge the status quo.”
The full Cannes See It Be It 2024 cohort are:
• Arwa Al Jundi, Associate Creative Director, United Arab Emirates
• Carina Toma, Digital Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup Romania, Romania
• Diana Moldagulova, Art Director, GForce CCAR, Kazakhstan
• Estefanía López, Strategy Lead, Sancho BBDO, Colombia
• Jessica Stahl, Cartoonist & Freelance Creative Director, The Netherlands
• Johana Martínez, Creative Director, Majority, Colombia
• Joy Richu, Illustrator, Joy Richu, Kenya
• Julia Spencer, Freelance Creative Director, Australia
• Kopal Naithani, Ad Film Director, Superfly Films PVT. LTD., India
• María Carrillo López, Senior Art Director, DAVID Madrid, Spain
• Mayara Ribeiro, Associate Creative Director, Galeria, Brazil
• Meritxell Ruiz, Associate Creative Director, VML, Spain
• Michelle Marais, Senior Conceptual Copywriter, Dentsu Creative, South Africa
• Nicky Lorenzo, SVP Executive Creative Director, 205 Worldwide, USA
• Pulp (Nonthaporn) Ketmanee, Creative Director, The Leo Burnett Group, Thailand
• Palak Kapadia, Copywriter, Amazon Brand Innovation Lab, India
• Pooja Manek, Founding Member and Creative, Talented Agency, India
• Stephanie Rumierk Briceño, Associate Creative Director, TBWA\Colombia, Colombia
• Winona Wee, Senior Creative, Wieden+Kennedy London, Singapore
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Top Image: Julia Spencer