Leading figures from across the digital media and marketing industries have spoken out on the key themes of this year’s International Women’s Day (which takes place on Sat 8 March)…
Julie Selman, SVP, Head of EMEA at Magnite
“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025 ‘Accelerate Action’ is both timely and powerful. For years, the fight for gender equity has centered on harnessing and elevating female talent. This theme serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to create a more inclusive and celebratory world towards women. A key part of this change is fostering a more inclusive workplace for women, which can inspire them to feel confident and supported. Providing clear career pathways, leadership development opportunities, and nurturing a culture that values progression is essential.”
“Family-focused leave policies and hybrid working play an important role in enabling women to balance their professional aspirations with the personal responsibilities that come with having a family. These benefits not only support well-being but also create opportunities for more women to advance into senior leadership roles and help drive meaningful, lasting change across industries.“
Linda Murphy, CGO at tactical
“From investment banking to print media sales and finally to scaling a two-people company to a global team of over 100 — 64% of which are female — tactical’s (and my) journey has been one of risks, payoffs along the way. We’ve moved beyond traditional workplace structures to build something that actually works for everyone, regardless of who they are or what their life looks like.
“Some of our policies that helped us do that are: an unbiased hiring process with a pre-defined scorecard, salary brackets and role requirements; unlimited leave; maternity and paternity leave policies that go way beyond statutory guidelines.
“I don’t believe in micro-management, and flexibility is a given for everyone in the team. Creating a network of like-minded individuals who can offer leadership advice, not as a result of their gender, but their experience, is something I think we could all benefit from.
“The narrative of “as a woman” is counter productive in my opinion. If we tell our sons and daughters that the things we have achieved are centred around our genders alone, we risk diluting the message. It’s a subtle yet important shift. We didn’t achieve our goals “as women”, we achieved them as someone who has worked hard to achieve the best we can for ourselves, and our families. On International Women’s Day, let’s focus on creating workplaces that support everyone’s success, not because of their gender, but because they’re the best person for the role. No fluff, no quotas – just real opportunities and the freedom to seize them.”
Clara De Rosa, Head of Customer Success UK at Adform
“This International Women’s Day, we unite for gender equality—celebrating progress while recognising the work still to be done and embracing the qualities each gender brings to the table.
“As a woman in leadership, I’ve seen both women and men juggle career and personal responsibilities, often facing challenges that slow their professional growth. True equality isn’t just about opportunity—it’s about workplaces recognising the challenges and providing the right support such as equal pay policies, paid parental leave, return to work plans, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
“I believe that no matter the gender, a business will thrive with greater representation as women and men bring their own qualities. To drive real change, we must break down the current barriers by fostering mentorship and allyship, where collective understanding and change will bring more equality into leadership roles.
“Ultimately, greater representation benefits everyone. When workplaces empower diverse leaders, businesses become stronger, innovation thrives, and success is driven by talent—not gender.”
Selen Ozkan, Head of CPG, UK&I, Uber Advertising
“This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, is a powerful call to move beyond conversation and into meaningful, decisive steps towards gender equality and diverse inclusion, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, or neurodiversity. It resonates deeply with me as a woman, an immigrant, and a leader in the advertising and tech industries.
“At Uber, we believe that “Great minds don’t think alike”. Diversity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a business imperative. Diverse leadership brings a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, which results in better decision-making, stronger teams, and ultimately, improved outcomes.
“Yet, the reality is that women, especially those from underrepresented groups, are still missing from leadership tables. The Pipeline reports that female representation on executive committees fell to 32% in 2024 from 33% in 2023, while McKinsey’s 2023 report shows that organisations with higher ethnic representation at senior levels are 39% more likely to outperform their competitors. The numbers speak for themselves.
“To truly make progress, we must break down the barriers that prevent diverse talent from thriving—whether that’s women, immigrants, neurodivergent individuals, or people from different cultures. This means creating access to mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership opportunities while embedding diversity into hiring, promotions, and decision-making processes.
“Achieving lasting change requires a collective commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and belonging across all industries and cultures—an effort that must be pursued with urgency and intention.”
Helen Keelan, Senior Sales Director, LG Ad Solutions
“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” really resonates with me. There’s already been incredible change within our industry, and through our actions, we must continue to drive it. It’s about accelerating the progress that’s already underway, creating a future where women don’t have to fight for equal opportunities but have them from the start.
“This doesn’t mean working in siloes, but rather, as a united workforce to build a work environment that’s comfortable for and favourable to everyone regardless of race or gender. The more we support each other, the more we build a culture of empowerment. That means having those difficult conversations and listening to opposing points of view to understand the barriers that still exist in a diverse workforce.
“For example, new norms and ways of working that accommodate young working families, adapting old industry conventions, or making space for new ways of driving successful outcomes – especially on the sales side.
“Women and other minorities who feel supported and seen will rise to leading roles, making this more accessible and less of a perceived ‘mountain to climb’ within our business.
“For those starting out or navigating the early years of their careers, it’s important to take action— step outside your comfort zone, speak up, seek support, support those around you, and keep pushing boundaries.”
Lena Arbery, Director of Destinations, Travel and Growth, EMEA at Tripadvisor, said:
“International Women’s Day carries deeper resonance this year. In the current climate, this day has never held greater significance.
“As a working mother raising teenage twins, I embrace the profound responsibility of being a role model, not only to my children but also to the next generation of women stepping into the advertising and media industries. Success isn’t about striving to “have it all”; it’s about embracing who we truly are—authentically, boldly, and unapologetically.
“We are the sum of every facet within us; that unique combination is our greatest strength, our superpower. Now more than ever, we must harness it and let it shine.”
Aleksandra Drozda, Head of Sales Development and Efficiency at RTB House comments:
“The key message for International Women’s Day this year is that women need to be self-aware and believe in themselves. Success is a result of skills, knowledge, and contributions. It’s time to be confident about your worth and be persistent.
“As the number of women in business, including leadership roles, continues to grow, we are seeing it have a positive impact. McKinsey data states that those in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than those in the fourth quartile. This proves just how powerful women can be.
“My advice for other women in our industry is simple – be inspired and pursue your goals without hesitation. Now is the time to invest in yourself, develop your skill set, and find passions and strengths that you can embrace. This doesn’t need to be done alone. Utilise mentors, development programs and professional networks – including those dedicated to women – to drive true career growth.”
