Celebrating Women In Business: Part 2

In the second part of our women in business series, we talk to ladies who have been successful in marketing and media careers. We asked them to share their experiences, success and role models to help understand the secrets to their success.

Jemima Stoppard, Senior Engagement Director at Finecast

First, we spoke to Jemima Stoppard, Senior Engagement Director at Finecast. She gives us her advice for ladies looking to climb the ladder.

What is your current role?
I am a Senior Engagement Director for Finecast, I started in September and have set up a regional division in Manchester. I love the company and I’m proud to be working for a company who are pioneering in the sector and have the ambition to create a global ecosystem for addressable TV.

Is there any woman in business/media/related agencies which you are inspired by or look up to?
This is an interesting question and not one I have an answer to. Each person carries a different characteristic I aspire to and I’m sure this would change often.

What would your advice be to women climbing the ladder?
This advice should be the same for anyone climbing the ladder despite gender. Treat everyone equally and how you would like to be treated yourself. My mum brought me up by the mantra “Do as you would be done by” and I live by it to this day. You never know how fast the new graduate will blossom into the new CEO, and equally, people move businesses, you never know when you might need that contact in the future. I judge people by how they treat others, most people do!

Accept that everyone is different, not everyone needs to have the same skills, likes and personality as you to be an excellent addition to your team; the best teams in the world have a mixture of skills sets and personalities. Make sure if you are worried about what people think then it’s the right people – yourself! Are you doing everything you can to exceed in your role? Do you have knowledge gaps? Are you working effectively and to the best of your ability? If you are not, then reach out and seek support, you will never operate to the best of your ability if you don’t and there is no shame in acknowledging your strengths and weakness’, people will respect you for it. I highly recommend seeking out a mentor to guide you, as we all feel a bit lost on our career paths from time-to-time

Know your own self-worth and don’t be afraid to back yourself and speak up. If you don’t agree with something, say, but quantify why and suggest a solution. This applies when seeking promotion and financial reward, create your own business case on the merits of why you deserve it and stand by it. There is nothing worse than people asking for these things because they think they ‘deserve it’ but can’t substantiate it with reasons and facts.

Lastly, take time to reflect on what you have achieved, the direction you are going and if it is taking you to the place you want to be. Do this regularly! I would also advise doing this in the form of lists and crossing off when a task or project is completed so when you feel unsure of how you are doing (and everyone does this at every level I can assure you) then you can reflect on cold hard facts.

Nicole O'Shea, Head of Advertising Sales at News UK 

Secondly, we heard from Nicole O’Shea, Head of Advertising Sales at News UK, with over 15 years of experience in media and news! Who else is better to give their advice?

Are there any women in business and the media that you look up to?
There are many women in business that I think are amazing and am inspired by their stories. However, what I find more inspiring is watching groups of women supporting each other consistently.  An example of this is from my Instagram “friends”, Jessica Alba, Reece Weatherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, Drew Barrymore…… you know the gang. Every new business that they launch is supported and promoted by the other. The cynics may say that this business related element but I don’t think so. I’ve also seen how these women have supported Selma Blair’s recent announcement of her MS. Seeing women cheer-leading women inspires me every day no matter where or how that is.

“Advice I wish I’d had at the beginning of my Career”
A mentor once gave me the advice “to embrace how you are different to others, make it your own and that is what will help you stand out from the crowd and build your confidence”. I wish I’d had this advice when I was starting out my career as I constantly felt like I was trying to fit in and be what I thought others wanted me to be. Embracing who you are and not comparing yourself to others is empowering.

Briony Sheard, Freelance Affiliate Marketing and Digital Specialist

The final food for thought comes from Briony Sheard, a freelance Affiliate Marketing and Digital Specialist, who has over 10 years of experience in the digital industry...
My career has taken numerous twists and turns over the years (that I didn’t necessarily plan) to get to where I am now, but the over-arching themes driving me throughout are around self-belief and self-value. My advice to other women is to be brave; embrace the unknown, know your own value and be kind to everyone!

Thank you to the ladies for the insightful tips and advice for others in business and raising the next strong female generation.

Read our Women in Business: Part 1 here.

If you would like to hear more about women in the workplace read our Women in Digital research.

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