What FCB/RED’s Tina Manikas Wants Instead of ‘Things’ This Christmas

Dear Santa, 

At the risk of sounding like a Scrooge, all I really want for Christmas is not ‘things’, but people. Female people, to be exact. I’d like to find a huge bag under my tree filled with talented, brave women who choose to join today’s exciting world of advertising and marketing. Who take risks and stay evergreen as they break barriers to reach the top levels, bringing their innate character and creativity with them.   

There are too few women leading the sleigh in departments at marketers or marketing agencies across the globe. Our FCB global network stretches from North Pole to South, with more than 120 office stops en route. And while we have many talented women walking our halls, my wish, dear Santa, goes beyond our halls to encompass the entire industry I’ve been celebrating, growing and working in for decades.  

I’m looking for women who seek to be a star at or near the top of the tree. Women who are brave, who seek not to be bosses or grinches, but leaders. We especially need more leaders in creative departments around the world. These leaders could then light the path for others most deserving.

I’ve learned over the years that things do change and the only way to truly grow is to stay outside your comfort zone. Purposefully doing things that are uncomfortable provides opportunities for one’s own growth and leadership. And like snowflakes, each of the women I’m wishing for will be an individual: thoughtful, bold, smart, skilled, secure in her own boots, with the attitude that it is a ‘she’ economy and the world would benefit from more female senior leaders that get it. I learned from experience early in my career that you have to sing your own carols, balance your packages of priorities and keep building your value each day.

I sometimes hear the Herald Angels already singing, as I hear from women throughout FCB and other companies that they want more opportunities to lead. Advertising and marketing are reportedly losing talent to other industries. Our own CEO, Carter Murray, has said FCB is working to attract and retain an unfair share of talent… and we are.  

At the same time, what I want for Christmas is an increasing number of women who see the entire world of advertising and marketing as their vision of sugarplums and a bottomless Santa sack of opportunities to drive the sleigh.  

Hope you can deliver, Santa. And season’s greetings to you, too.

Tina Manikas, President of FCB/RED