Campaign Asia-Pacific one of the most influential marketing Communication industry magazine has selected Z Messenger CEO Jayomi Lokuliyana among 40 outstanding women across marketing, media, technology and communications.
Release from Campaign Asia
Last month, we wrote a feature that explored why Covid-19 is an opportunity to ‘fast-track’ diversity, not an excuse to slow it down. Based on conversations with former Women to Watch winners, the feature discussed how businesses are being presented with a chance to reflect on what matters most and evolve work practices to be inclusive and flexible.
While a survey of Campaign Asia-Pacific readers revealed concerns about a slowdown in progress on gender diversity, several of the women interviewed in the piece reported that diversity initiatives have been ramped up this year as businesses use the pandemic as a catalyst to build a workplace that is fit for the future.
While it was heartening to learn that important initiatives to support women were not falling by the wayside amid troubling economic times, to be honest, we were not expecting to receive as many nominations to Women to Watch this year as we did in 2019.
Budgets are being squeezed across the industry, and many businessess have frozen award entries for the rest of the year (although Women to Watch is not a typical award programme). We are delighted to reveal that 2020 has been one of our biggest years yet for paid submissions to Women to Watch, which is now in its eighth year.
It has been inspiring to see the volume of companies and individuals that have taken the time to nominate exceptional women during this time—proof that gender initiatives remain a priority for the industry even in the most adverse circumstances. It means Women to Watch was a very competitive list this year, making for some exceptionally difficult decisions for the senior editorial members of Campaign Asia-Pacific’s judging team.
All the entries went through several rounds of judging and analysis to ensure the women who have been selected are the most deserving of this commendation. If your entry didn’t make it to the list, please don’t be disheartened.
There will be plenty more opportunities for you get involved in Campaign’s lists or editorial coverage, as we double-down on our coverage of diversity and inclusion. Read about previous Women to Watch: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2012 We have been particularly inspired by the diversity of entries this year across both industries and geographies.
We have representation from Singapore to Sri Lanka, Hong Kong to the Philippines, India to Indonesia, Japan to Korea, Vietnam to China, Australia and New Zealand. We’ve also had a greater mix of industries this year, covering holding companies and independent agencies, publishers, adtech vendors, brands, events companies, producers, consultancies and more.
Many of the women featured in the list have not always been in the marcomms industry, which often works in their favour. From contemporary dance to international trade to journalism, these unique beginnings bring a diversity of thought to their current roles. Others have been with the same company from the outset, proving that company loyalty exists in the modern world and can lead to fast progressions.
Several women also run other ventures alongside their day jobs, such as a probiotic brand and a yoga and meditation business. In many ways, this year’s list is our most heterogeneous yet.
This is our eighth edition of Women to Watch, and when we started the list in 2012, we may have hoped that it would no longer be necessary by 2020. But the founding principles that inspired the creation of Women to Watch back then remain relevant today.
Significant gender inequality still exists within the industry that we write about every day—and some regions in Asia remain particularly problematic for women. In fact, Campaign and Kantar’s annual Diversity Study found that equality had actually deteriorated between 2017 to 2018.
Read more at: https://www.campaignasia.com/article/women-to-watch-2020-exceptional-female-talent-from-the-apac-marcomms-industry/462988