22 December, 2014

Agency places equality and diversity at the top of its agenda


Ogilvy & Mather Group has become the 50th organization to become a member of Stonewall's Global Diversity Champions Programme. Stonewall was founded in 1989 and promotes equality and justice for the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community. Ogilvy & Mather Group UK will work closely with Stonewall to celebrate equality and diversity through events with clients and other LGBT networks.

Annette King, Chief Executive Officer, Ogilvy & Mather Group UK commented: "We want to foster a workplace where people can be themselves; where women and men from a diverse range of backgrounds can thrive. Our partnership with Stonewall strengthens our resolve to promote an open, honest and inclusive work environment."

Simon Feeke, Director of Workplace Programmes, Stonewall commented: "By joining the Global Diversity Champions Programme, Ogilvy recognises that people perform better when they can be themselves. Our members are forward-thinking employers who want to recruit, recognise and support the very best staff. Good employers understand that providing support for all staff improves their operational effectiveness."

Ogilvy Pride is the Group's LGBT & Straight Ally professional network, and was established in the Ogilvy UK office by Andrew Barratt in February 2014. Ogilvy's global efforts were recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Organisation who awarded the agency a 100% score in its Corporate Equality Index 20151, recognising the Group as a great place to work for individuals in the LGBT community.

Ogilvy & Mather has considerable experience in marketing to the LGBT community. In 2013, Ogilvy & Mather Paris won a Cannes Lions Gold for its Google Plus Same-Sex Marriage campaign. Earlier this year, Ogilvy & Mather Group UK worked with Geometry Global on its LGBT Avatars campaign for Prague Pride.

Ogilvy has always had diversity at the heart of its leadership. David Ogilvy believed that "in recruitment and promotion, we are fanatical in our hatred for all forms of prejudice" (1968, Principles of Management). Recently, Tham Khai Meng, Ogilvy's Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, called for adland to "Walk Together" towards building stronger inclusivity for LGBT people in society and advertising.
Ogilvy Pride UK was established by Andrew Barratt.

Ogilvy Pride Twitter: https://twitter.com/OgilvyPrideWW

1 Announced Nov 2014

About Ogilvy & Mather
Ogilvy & Mather is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. It was named the Cannes Lions Network of the Year for three consecutive years, 2012, 2013, and 2014; and the EFFIEs World's Most Effective Agency Network for two consecutive years 2012 and 2013. The company is comprised of industry leading units in the following disciplines: advertising; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; shopper and retail marketing; health care communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing; consulting, research and analytics; branded content and entertainment; and specialist communications. O&M services Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses through its network of more than 500 offices in 126 countries. It is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY).www.ogilvy.com, or follow Ogilvy on Twitter at @Ogilvy and on Facebook.com/Ogilvy.

distributed by