Industry Leaders Unite to Support the emPOWER Breakfast Initiative

Leading figures from across the advertising and media industry have announced their sponsorship of The emPOWER Breakfast, a ground breaking networking initiative founded by Athene Parker that has attracted some of the industry's most influential voices. The initiative, which combines business networking with mental wellness support, has attracted an impressive roster of sponsors committed to fostering positive change in the workplace.

The new sponsors join the line up of Host Sponsors for the Women’s sessions, Framestore and Company 3, 45 RPM, the current photography sponsors, and Factory/Siren Silver+. 

String and Tins continue to champion, sponsor and produce the emPOWER Breakfast podcast with an all female team bringing monthly episodes to your POD outlet!

The new sponsors to come on board are New Commercial Arts leading the sponsorship tier as a Gold Sponsor, with founder and chief production officer and outvertising mentor Matt Craigie Atherton championing the initiative in December of last year. NCA were shortly joined by the incredible team Shelby Akosa and Andrew Fox at Peach also going Gold! 

Matt Craigie Atherton is a huge supporter of emPOWER and said:, "I’m so impressed with what I’ve heard about The emPOWER breakfasts and how much the ladies of our industry have embraced and benefitted from them – as we’re committed to supporting and nurturing our people, it feels like a great collaboration to embrace the evolution of emPOWER in the future; we’re all in this journey together!"

Shelby Akosa along with Aly Andrew Fox at Peach campaigned to support emPOWER and Shelby had this to say, "We are really Proud at Peach to be supporting the emPOWER Breakfast.  It's a very special environment Athene has created - where shared vulnerability can make us all stronger. I defy anyone to leave the breakfast not feeling inspired, uplifted and motivated!"

Silver Sponsors include Cabin, All Of Us Here, The Bourne Consultancy, Vocal Point, Lemonade and NM Productions, while the APA (Advertising Producers Association) and Nomad UK join as Bronze supporters. All of whom reached out and expressed their keen intention to support the women in our industry.

The emPOWER Breakfast’s network, born from Parker's 25 years of experience in music and advertising, has quickly established itself as a vital platform for industry professionals to share experiences and build meaningful connections. The initiative's unique approach, combining professional networking with empathy-building and storytelling, has resonated deeply with industry leaders.

Isabella Parish of All Of Us Here reflects on the initiative's impact, "Since the very first emPOWER breakfast, I saw just how thirsty everyone was for this kind of gathering. It definitely brought us together, a little braver and stronger and certainly not alone."

Melsie Bourne, founder of The Bourne Consultancy, emphasises the initiative's transformative nature: "Athene has built an inspiring platform that shines a spotlight on extraordinary women in the industry and their powerful stories, creating a deeply supportive community that fosters meaningful connections. Bourne is thrilled to be part of it!"

The initiative particularly resonates with companies committed to diversity and inclusion, such as Cabin, a certified Minority Owned Business Enterprise. managing director Kayt Hall cites Toni Morrison in expressing their support, "If you have some power then your job is to empower somebody else." She went on to say “emPOWER is so positive and so inspiring, it was a no brainer to be involved.”

NM Productions Founder Anissa Payne, and MD Tash James had this to say as to their ‘WHY’.

Anissa Payne - “I really admire the space and community that Athene has managed to create through the emPOWER breakfasts. As a female business owner working in the space of advertising, it's no secret that it comes with its challenges. I think as women, we all need a space to be able to support one another and Athene has created just that. We look forward to seeing where emPOWER goes this year and for many more years to come, and it's an absolute honour to be able to provide whatever support we can.” 

Tash James - “It’s so inspiring to see the community that Athene has built. Over the last year the breakfasts have given us all a chance to take a second and remember that, even in the busy world of advertising, we’re humans at the end of the day. Each with our own flaws, backstories and plenty of funny anecdotes. It’s a privilege to support emPOWER and we can’t wait to see how it continues to grow this year.”

This is what Corin had to say, “From the very first emPOWER Breakfast, it was evident that Athene's creation fostered such positivity and meaningful connections that its success was inevitable. The event's impact is immeasurable in many ways. We see new business connections emerging. Where genuine connections are dwindling, The emPOWER Breakfast shines a light on positive change within our industry.

Steve Davies of the APA notes the initiative's widespread positive impact, “emPOWER has created something our community is greatly enthused by. I only hear very positive things about emPOWER from everyone I know who has attended.”

Liv Lawton of Nomad UK Says “The emPOWER events are exactly that, truly empowering.  We are honoured and privileged to be a part of supporting these wonderful events so that they can continue to empower.”

They join the ranks of the wonderful women who got on board at the get go.

The podcast sponsors at String and Tins had this to say:

“emPOWER is an incredible initiative dedicated to uplifting women in the industry, creating a community where we can share our experiences, learn from one another, and gain the tools and support needed to thrive in our chosen fields.”

Lou Allen, MD of Factory/Siren, brings over 30 years of industry experience to her support of the initiative, "We are delighted to sponsor The emPOWER Breakfast, an event that plays such an important role in celebrating and supporting women in our industry. It's inspiring to see how Athene consistently creates a safe, comfortable, and encouraging environment."

Sian Rogers, company director at Siren, says, “The feeling that surrounds the emPOWER Breakfast events is incredibly special; positive, generous, supportive & safe. The speakers are always brilliant and you come away inspired, energised and enlightened. It is a credit to Athene that she has managed to bring all these people together and build such a strong sense of community. Of COURSE we jumped at the chance to be part of it!”

What Ayla Owen MD of 45 RPM had to say was particularly moving, “For me, sponsoring an initiative like emPOWER is personal. I often find myself struck by the unique hurdles women navigate in the creative world, and emPOWER doesn’t just address these challenges; it flips the script. By celebrating the strength found in vulnerability and kindness, it challenges the old notions of what leadership looks like. I’ve seen firsthand how authenticity fosters genuine connections, sparking creativity and collaboration. It feels like being part of a movement that not only champions strong female executives but also reshapes the narrative of success. Supporting emPOWER isn’t just a contribution; it’s a chance to be part of a community that believes in lifting each other up—one compassionate act at a time.”

Then we have the amazing women at Framestore and Company 3. It was a rainy day in January 2024 that Athene Parker went see Steph Bruning at Framestore… ‘Steph..I’ve got an idea…’ and the rest they say is history, with Athene receiving instant support from Framestore and Company 3.

This is what Steph had to say, “Athene has created a powerful space for women to share deeply personal stories of their challenges, both in life and as working professionals. emPOWER's success is a reflection of Athene's remarkable ability for selecting inspiring speakers and her compassionate skill in drawing out their stories with care and sensitivity. I’m very proud to sponsor this initiative which not only inspires but also builds understanding and brings us together in person.”

This is what Lorraine had to say, “I feel incredibly privileged to be part of such a welcoming, supportive and badass group of women. I am constantly moved and inspired by the stories from the emPOWER guests and the love and encouragement in the room is literally palpable. Athene has curated a wonderful and special initiative and I look forward to every single session.”

Here is what Ellora Soret, EP at Company 3, had to say, “Athene has created an important space in emPOWER to learn and grow, in person, with our industry peers. With remote working and with people returning to the office, emPOWER has brought people back together again as a community.”

The 2024 program has featured an exceptional line up of industry leaders sharing their stories, including Leila Bartlam, award-winning TV Producer/HTV and ND enablement lead; Nishma Patel Robb, former Director of Brand Reputation at Google; Jody Allison, award-winning producer/HTV and founder of Heads Up Production; Selma Nicholls, diversity champion and founder of Looks Like Me Casting; Sue Higgs, award-winning ECD; Rosie Arnold, award-winning Deputy ECD now Creative Consultant and Artist; and Lucy Hudson, MD of McCann Birmingham.

Looking ahead through 2025, the initiative is set to expand with the launch of emPOWER Men, a ground breaking addition that recognises the equally vital importance of supporting men in the industry to address their emotional challenges. The launch will feature four prominent speakers, adding to an already stellar lineup for the year.

The emPOWER Breakfast extends beyond traditional networking to offer empathy-building packages, POWER workshops, and one-to-one coaching. Parker also runs a mentoring network for parents of neurodivergent children, with industry support including hosted meetings in London at Cabin and Saatchi and Saatchi.

For more information about The emPOWER Breakfast, sponsorship opportunities, or empathy-building packages, contact athene@theempowerbreakfast.co.uk.

The emPOWER Breakfast is a highly valued initiative, creating meaningful community and support for women in the advertising/media industry.