ABOUT
Who We Are
OWN IT is a group of female and non-binary advertising professionals committed to making changes that uplift and empower underrepresented groups in the industry—especially when it comes to agency ownership.
our core belief
We believe women ownership is a key driver for sustainable progress and a more creative, more equitable future.
our PURPOSE
OWN IT exists to grow the number of powerful, influential, and diverse female and non-binary agency owners in the advertising industry.
“Our industry will be saved by women founding and owning agencies—not agencies like the ones we see around us right now, but their own businesses that give women agency and start the industry we all want to live and work in.”
- Cindy Gallop, Founder & Former Advertising Exec
OUR COMMUNITY
The number of people joining us in our mission to further women ownership in the advertising industry is growing constantly. As of right now, here’s what our community looks like:
315
female and nonbinary agency owners
75%
own more than 50% of their agencies
60%
do business domestically and internationally
19%
own small agencies
50%
have been owners for less than 5 years
75%
manage revenues under $10M
Challenges Women Face in the Industry
Lack of Positive Cultural Frameworks
Culture tells us women are less creative, too busy with children, or just too gentle to be effective leaders. It’s a bias that many men in positions of power have.
Lack of Relationships
There is a lack of female representation on rosters across the industry. That makes it significantly harder to gain access to pitches, which drastically hinders an agency’s ability to grow.
Lack of time
Traditional gender roles create uneven expectations for how men and women spend their time. Women are often pressured to work “double duty” between the office and home.
Lack of Support
Women and non-binary individuals in the advertising industry need more mentors, networking opportunities, and resources that are designed by and for them.
Lack of Confidence
Impostor syndrome. Internal bias. Fear. They're everywhere—but their effects are especially prevalent in male-dominated industries like advertising.
Lack of Money
Female-owned agencies are overwhelmingly independent. That means we rely on self-funding, receive little to no venture capital investment, and have to front high pitch costs.
Lack of Role Models
Less than 1% of all advertising agencies are female-owned. We need more female and non-binary representation in ownership and leadership positions.
Lack of Business Opportunities
There is a lack of female representation on rosters across the industry. That makes it significantly harder to gain access to pitches, which drastically hinders an agency’s ability to grow.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Reach out to Christy Hiler at christy@teamcornett.com