Interpublic Group's Golin has teamed up with The 3% Movement, SheSays and EvolveHer to create an initiative dedicated to putting an end to unhealthy agency cultures that keep women from advancing their creative careers.
The "Have Her Back" campaign launches today online and will include an in-person training event in Chicago on April 10, which is Equal Pay Day. The event is open to women of all levels and ages in advertising who are looking for ways to get back into the agency world, as well as other agencies and holding companies that want to learn.
"It's very apparent that we're not dealing with the bigger issue in the industry, which is the toxic, openly hostile culture that women have to deal with day in and day out," says Caroline Dettman, Golin's chief creative officer.
Dettman has been working on "Have Her Back" since the fall. She says she grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of action among agencies, so she decided to create an initiative herself.
"It's progress when we're getting rid of abusers, but we need to fix the culture that enabled it to happen," she says.
The campaign aims to welcome back and help women who have left the industry or have been forced out due to sexual harassment, sexual assault and inequality by focusing on hiring, training and creating a culture of empowerment. Dettman says that all women have stories related to sexual harassment or gender inequality.