The Diversity Focus

Is the industry doing enough to encourage different voices? We hear from the people trying to make advertising reflect everyone.

Insight

Has a backlash against diversity begun?

As the industry continues its attempts to tackle the issue of diversity are some people already pushing against it, and is enough really being done to further the cause? The Moon Unit looks at the strides that have been made, examines the arguments some have against them, and asks whether our understanding of the word 'diversity' needs broadening.

Talent

Mohammad Gorjestani; evening up the odds

Working out of his own Even/Odd creative studio and production company, Iranian-American director Mohammad Gorjestani uses politics as a fuel for his work and vision, but, Tim Cumming finds out, he doubts if all the present talk of diversity across the industry runs more than skin deep.

Work

How to get a lesson in DE&I from Trevor Noah

In an intimate, revealing 20-minute conversation, The Daily Show presenter shares with Expensify his views on race, equity and inclusion. We asked Jason Bagley, ECD at agency Alto, how it all came about.

Insight

Maintaining pride: how LGBTQ+ representation is about more than just coming out

Diana Ellis-Hill, co-founder and director at creative and production studio Be The Fox, explains how a culture of inclusivity is the most important element to increasing representation behind the camera.

Insight

Zhang + Knight: A different approach

Directing duo Zhang + Knight (aka Linden Zhang and Hannah Knight) discuss how their differences - and similarities - have impacted their work, how the industry sometimes treats them, why intense pre-planning helps them protect themselves, and why casting is a hill they're willing to die on.

Insight

Age may be the context, but life is the narrative

They might not all be skateboarding or rock climbing but, asks Mick Mahoney, Creative Partner at Harbour Collective, why does the industry continue to stereotype old people? They aren't all the same. They're not staring wistfully into the middle distance, yearning for the past. They still like sex and, in general, they're having a better time than you.

Inspiration

Adriana Legay: A Few Of My Favourite Things

The Final Cut editor tells us about how playing records is a warm ritual and how being a Black French woman from Paris means needing some serious sunglasses.

Showcase

LGBTQ+ Director Showcase

In a special edition of our monthly showcases, we uplift a diverse group of LGBTQ+ directors working in the commercial space.

Insight

How Blackboard can rewrite the future

With a creative industry that doesn't reflect the population, and a huge swathe of young South African's unaware of the creative careers they could be pursuing, change in the country was needed. Here, Nkanyezi Masango explains why he set up Blackboard and how the initiative has set out to inspire the next generation of South African creatives.

Insight

Why DE&I needs a new focus

Rhea Scott, President of Little Minx, believes that diversity, equity and inclusion has lost its way, and while the industry is still crying out for discussion around and the promotion of DE&I, the focus should be on something different.

Insight

Seeing myself on the screen

After directing a recent campaign about one of the Royal Navy's first Sikh submariners, Familia director Sashinski (aka Sasha Nathwani) reflects on how the story spoke to him about his own career journey, the difficulties of fitting in, and the strides that have been made around diversity in the filmmaking industry.

Insight

Power is nothing if it's not the power to choose

Sonia Malfa, director at Familia, asks whether choosing to put 'diverse' directors in the chair is enough if the people and companies that hire them aren't allowing those directors to make creative decisions.

Insight

Is affordable accommodation the key to talent diversity?

Tony Perkins, CEO of LHA London, and Sarah Jenkins, MD of Saatchi & Saatchi, speak to shots about how their innovative initiative, Saatchi Home, needs to be adopted by more figures in the industry to remove one of the key barriers for persons from under-represented communities, affordable housing.

Insight

If you ask 'why be inclusive?', you're asking the wrong question

Abi Pearl, Head of Advertising and Member Innovation Director at giffgaff, says that brands need to lead the way when it comes to inclusivity, and that they shouldn't be asking 'why?', but 'why not?'.

LGBTQ+ inclusion in the ad industry

What’s in a label?

Director mentorships need a diversity update

Insight

Rainbow washing and the danger of skin-deep brand values

Eric Yaverbaum, CEO of Ericho Communications, looks at the growing number of brands that are happy to splash some Pride around without actually backing it up with ethics.