Destination M&C Saatchi Launch [H]ERE Global Community to Amplify Voices of Women in Marketing

Destination M&C Saatchi, M&C Saatchi Group’s specialist destination marketing team, has announced the launch of HER[E], a new global community for women working in place marketing.

Spearheaded by Mary Harris, managing director of the Destination M&C Saatchi team, HER[E] is a global network for like-minded people who share a passion for promoting places around the world as destinations for tourism, talent and business and who see greater diversity and female empowerment in this space as a path to a better future for the industry. 

Both UNCTAD and UNWTO have identified the vital importance of having women in place marketing leadership roles, but they also identified that currently only 21% of IPAs (Investment Promotion Agencies) have a female head and only 23% of tourism ministers are women*. HER[E] seeks to change this by creating an opportunity for women and allies of all genders to come together and drive greater diversity at all levels.

In order to create the new community, Destination M&C Saatchi consulted with a number of experts in the sector, including Lyutha Al Habsy, head of brand, TONOMUS and former brand and marketing advisor for OMRAN and MOHT; Jamila Al Bukhaly, senior manager, Oman Air; Dr Natasha Grand Norman, founder at INSTID; Laura Ryan, director of marcomms, University of Limerick; Aoife O’Shaughnessy, marketing officer, Limerick City and County Council and Clare Dewhirst, founder at City Nation Place.

HER[E] is open to anyone from the place marketing world, whether they’re from a Destination Marketing Organisation, an agency, a media outlet, a public or private sector company, or a government department. 

HER[E]’s brand identity is a simple combination of ‘Her’ and ‘Here’, to show that HER[E] is the place for women who put places on the map.

The community currently has 86 members, representing over 20 countries including Oman, Portugal and Ireland. Those who are interested in joining should visit here. 

Members of the community have access to a private LinkedIn group where they can engage with other members, share challenges and learnings, and discover new tools and resources

Mary Harris, managing director, Destination M&C Saatchi, said, “Women are the drivers of the place marketing industry, but we are still woefully under-represented at the most senior levels. With the launch of HER[E], we’re looking to change that.

“We believe that collaborating to advance women in this sector will make our voices reach further and our places grow better in every action we take.”

Aoife O’Shaughnessy, marketing officer, Limerick City and County Council, said, “I’m excited to be included as a member of this wonderful community of creative and strategically focused women, dedicated to shaping and advancing destinations through effective and impactful place branding. Working in local government has given me an understanding of the political and social context involved in creating a place brand, but I’m deeply interested to learn from the experiences, perspectives and motivations of my peers and I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to connect with some of the most passionate and skilled professionals in this dynamic field.”

Dr Natasha Grand Norman, founder at INSTID, said, “Many place-making professionals work in small teams, so it is uplifting and heart warming to belong to a community and share our experiences and practical know-how and know-whys.”

* Source: UNCTAD and UNWTO research