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