Zoom Is the Greatest Equalizer: Julie Michael, CEO, Team One
How would you describe the overall culture at your agency / company?
Team One’s CORE VALUES (Collaborative, Optimistic, Results-Oriented, Entrepreneurial) act as a guidepost for our agency culture and hiring decisions. We aim to be a place where people can do the best work of their lifetimes, while pushing each other and supporting each other at the same time.
One positive outcome from working via Zoom/Teams this past year, is the fact that it gives everybody an equal seat at the (virtual) table. Zoom is the greatest equalizer! We expect to hear ideas and opinions from each 2” square on the computer screen. Nobody shrinks. I have watched so many talented women at Team One build their leadership cred this year, because they’ve had more visibility and exposure than ever before.
In your opinion, what do you see as the biggest change in the advertising industry since women have begun to break the glass ceiling?
I have seen some wonderful changes in our industry. While it was more common to see women in HR, account or project management positions years ago, we now also see so many talented strategy, creative and agency leaders who are women.
It’s been especially fun to watch some whip-smart, talented women find their home as President or CEO of the larger or renowned agencies headquartered in Los Angeles alongside Team One like Deutsch LA, BBH LA, and TBWA/ChiatDay LA to name a few.
Do you think that women still face challenges in our industry, and if so, what are they?
While so much progress has been made for women, there are still challenges. The pay gap is shrinking, but it’s still real. The seniority mix for men/women is still imbalanced in many agencies. And women of color are still significantly under-represented in our business. These are important issues that we need to remain vigilant about improving. I prefer to focus on the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to see the vibrant, dynamic, and diverse workforce that we will all continue to build. Not only is it the right thing to do for social justice, but it’s also the secret recipe for launching better, more interesting ideas into the world.