Art Directors Club Launches Initiative to Encourage Equal Involvement of Women and Men in the Creative Industry

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - May 29, 2013) - The Art Directors Club (ADC), the premier organization for creatives in integrated media and the first global creative collective of its kind, announces the launch of a groundbreaking mission to make the industry 50/50 by calling for drastic and measurable changes to the roles and participation of women within the creative sector. To make the industry 50/50, the initiative calls for an equal level of participation for both genders across award show juries, boards of directors and events and speaker lineups.

"We believe it is time for all industry organizations, from award shows to company boards, to take action toward equal levels of participation for both women and men," said Ignacio Oreamuno, executive director of the Art Directors Club. "A foundation will be established for generations of female talent with more qualified women in senior, visible positions through this 50/50 program. It's time to set a new standard and create a movement together."

Organizations that achieve this 50 percent level of representation will receive a special Badge of Recognition for their websites to encourage other associations to become involved in the program. In addition to earning a badge, these organizations will be featured on the initiative's website, alerting the public of their support for this honorable cause.

A distinct group of women executives and business owners who understand the importance of having more women represented within the creative industry are helping jumpstart the initiative. Committee members include:

Samantha DiGennaro, Founder & CEO, DiGennaro Communications
Cindy Gallop, Founder, IfWeRanTheWorld and MakeLoveNotPorn
Mandy Gilbert, Founder & CEO, Creative Niche Inc
Jen Larkin Kuzler, Director of Awards Programs, ADC
Alessandra Lariu, Co-founder, SheSays
Ignacio Oreamuno, Executive Director, ADC

This committee will work with the ADC to create awareness for the cause and encourage participation among industry organizations with the hope that all these elements will create a domino effect in the industry.

Women in the advertising, design and digital disciplines are invited to take part in a special photo shoot to commemorate the project on Thursday, May 30^th at 12:30pm ET in the ADC Gallery (106 W 29th Street). Acclaimed photographer Monte Isom, who has photographed the Queen of Sweden and Tiger Woods, among others, will be behind the lens of this iconic photo. If you would like to participate in the shoot, please RSVP to jimena@adcglobal.org.

Watch Oreamuno discuss the initiative here.

About the Art Directors Club:

The Art Directors Club is the premier organization for integrated media and is the first international creative collective of its kind. Founded in New York in 1920, the ADC is a self-funded, not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect creative communications professionals around the globe, and to provoke and elevate world-changing ideas. It focuses on the highest standards of excellence in communications for the industry, and encourages students and young professionals entering the field. ADC provides a forum for creatives in Advertising, Design, Interactive Media and Communications to explore the direction of these rapidly converging industries. 

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