Gemini Talks: The Agency Model, Diversity in the Workplace and Being More Inclusive

Welcome to the third instalment of Gemini Talks – a series of insight pieces from a selection of the leading spokespeople from the creative industries to discuss some of the biggest topics being discussed in the industry right now. These pieces of content aim to highlight the way their minds work along with the opportunities and challenges facing agencies within this highly diverse industry and in an ever-changing marketing landscape.

This week Ollie Scott (Creative Talent Associate, Gemini People) and Jack Field (PR Talent Manager, Gemini People) interviewed Mark Runacus (Co-Founder WAXon, President of PrideAM and Chairman, DMA) about diversity in the workplace, how Senior Management can make the workplace more welcoming and diversity campaigns for the sake of diversity.

How has the agency model changed and why is diversity in the workplace so key to creating the best work?

The creative landscape is constantly changing and with it the agency model. Here we look at what this means for the industry and why having a diverse team plays such a key role in creating the best work.

What can businesses do to make the workplace more welcoming for the LGBTQ community?

The industry has come leaps and bounds when it comes to diversity in recent years but it’s still not good enough; we look at what senior management can do to make the workplace more welcoming and attract a more diverse workforce.

Is it the creative industries responsibility to open doors for the LGBTQ community in other sectors?

Advertising is powerful, so powerful that it has the ability to change the views of the wider world. So, is it the creative industries responsibility to open the doors and shake off the stigma of the LGBTQ community?

Are there any stand-out campaigns that have really gotten it ‘right’ when it comes to portraying diversity?

Diversity for the sake of diversity. We talk about how to avoid diversity becoming just a tick-boxing exercise for your industry.

What can we do to support those employees suffering with mental health issues?

Here was an impromptu talk where we opened up about mental health issues and discussed how to take the taboo away from discussing mental health and how to support people suffering with mental health issues both inside the creative industries and further afield.

Gemini Talks is has been put together by Gemini People; talent partner to the top creative agencies in the UK and beyond – for more information please visit www.geminipeople.com or contact Jack Field (jack@geminipeople.com) or Ollie Scott (ollie@Geminipeople.com).