IAPI Launches Diversity and Inclusion Policy for the Industry

On Wednesday 9th June, IAPI launched its Diversity and Inclusion Policy with a special launch event featuring Ali Hanan, founder, Creative Equals. 

Ali brought the audience through some interesting statistics about the makers of the commercial creative work versus the receivers of the work. 

• Women make 61% of all purchasing decisions 

• 1 in 6 Gen Z-ers identify as Queer

• 7% born with a disability, 20% gain one by the age of 50 and 41% of over 65s gain a disability.

But in terms of those creating work (UK Stats) there are: 

• 17% female Creative Directors (2% Older Women)

• 1% disabled 

• 1.5% LGBTQIA+

• 6% over the age of 55. 

“If you’re not in the team, you’re not seen in the work. If you’re not sitting around the table while the work is being shaped then there is no representation. There must be a real connection between who is present when decisions are made and who is in the work. It is a commercial imperative as well as a moral one. Who Makes the Work Shapes the Work," said Ali Hanan, Creative Equals. 

IAPI firmly believes that a talent pool with a broad and diverse range of resources, skills, backgrounds and cultural understanding will better reflect Irish society today; maximise efficiency for all and help drive growth for the industry.

The aim of the IAPI Diversity & Inclusion Policy is to ensure that the industry is representative of all sections of society and all employees, job applicants, clients and suppliers are respected, valued and given equal and fair opportunity to perform at their best. The IAPI Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines can be found here.

Shenda Loughnane, president, IAPI and group managing director, dentsu commented: “We’re delighted to launch the IAPI DEI policy guidelines for the industry today. This policy document is a powerful piece of work that has been developed and shaped by our DEI Council. Its packed full of insight and recommendations and will help crystallise the type of industry we want to create and the steps we can take to get there.”

Stha Banks, head of paid social, Core & D&I council lead on the IAPI Board said: “I am very excited for the D&I Council to be launching the IAPI Diversity and Inclusion Policy within our industry. It’s a very much needed document for our agency members most of whom have been asking about it. The policy offers a range of guidelines on how we can all navigate the journey of diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging to create even more enticing work environments that we can all thrive in. The hope now is that we start focusing on clear goals and actions within our own individual organisations and diversify our talent. There are 6 key areas that we focused on but these guidelines should evolve too. So, we look forward to feedback.”

IAPI is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. As an industry this policy reinforces our commitment to never providing less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation.

Using this policy as a starting point, IAPI encourage all member agencies to take the initiative to create their own or build upon their currently existing policies relevant to their business. 

Amar Jacob, account director, In the Company of Huskies & D&I Council member added: “The Launch of the D&I policy guidelines is a starting point, as a collective our aim is to create an environment where people are encouraged to bring a different point of view to the table, where everyone is equal and heard.  Allowing us to Integrate wider perspectives into our work, from the beginnings of our thoughts, to the core of our problem solving, with a permanent aim to enshrine it in all of our work. As a group of agencies that influence the comms of Ireland, we have an opportunity with our platform to inform & educate society on inclusivity and drive systemic change.”