Mumbai: DIMA (Diversity in Marketing and Advertising) has announced its annual list of Top 50 men from across the globe who are advocating equality in the marketing, advertising and media industry. We are delighted to announce that Burzin Mehta, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy, Mumbai, is among them. Burzin is the only Indian on this list.
Kainaz Karmakar & Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Chief Creative Officers, East & West: This is a terrific achievement. It is one thing to talk about diversity and it is another thing to actually make it happen. Burzin has made Ogilvy and India proud by making it to this list.
In his own quiet, modest and effective fashion, Burzin has made a difference that the world cannot ignore. We hope more and more men make it to the list and diversity is not just an agenda but a way of life.
DIMA is a London based association that focuses on fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the marketing, media and advertising community. This year, an illustrious jury comprising marketing and media stalwarts handpicked 50 men from across the globe who are making strides behind the scenes, as allies to advancing a more inclusive future for our industry.
The other notable names on the list include Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO, IPG; Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, Procter and Gamble and Nick Hugh, CEO, Telegraph Media Group.
The names were unveiled earlier this month as part of the DIMA Summit – an event that brings together the entire marketing and advertising ecosystem under one roof, with a focus on fostering greater diversity and inclusion, particularly within leadership roles and brand campaigns.
Burzin Mehta, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy Mumbai: It is an absolute honour and privilege to be on this list. So sincerest thanks to the jury at DIMA for considering me worthy enough. Our business thrives on varied perspectives and the difference a diverse, multicultural team can make is something I can personally vouch for. I earnestly request leaders in positions of influence to work towards equally balanced teams and a more inclusive, disparate industry.
Ogilvy announced this year at Cannes, its commitment to hire 20 women in senior creative roles by 2020. The agency has also partnered with the 3% Movement, an advocacy group that focuses on gender balance in agencies, who will monitor the progress.
Diversity and inclusion has been included as one of the key focus areas in Ogilvy’s Next Chapter, as laid out by John Seifert, Worldwide Chairman and CEO, Ogilvy Group. “I want to be the most diverse and inclusive group of employees worldwide,” Seifert asserts. “More than 50% of our senior managers are going to be women.
