Over Christmas and the holiday break I spent time reflecting on last year and thinking about my goals for the year ahead … this year I celebrate 50 years in the advertising/media industry and at 68 years am I too old for this industry? For me, it is a resounding NO, I still love what I do, I’m young at heart, still growing as a human, and learning every day, plus I believe I can still make a worthwhile contribution.
As you can see, I am on a mission to address ageism in our industry and to keep this topic top of mind. However, this is not just about me, what do clients, colleagues, media partners, and the industry generally think about an old white guy of my age still actively involved in the industry?
I am naturally a helper and want to mentor, and help support those around me. In the last few years have devoted heaps of time to The Marketing Academy, industry associations and generally coaching whomever I can. However, I would be interested to hear from you, either by email at [email protected] or when this is posted by Mediaweek on LinkedIn, am I too old … should I be put out to pasture and call it a day? By the way at my age, I can handle the truth, so do not be shy and please share your honest perspectives.
I think sharing, teaching, mentoring, training, and providing value is vital in an industry that is very youthful. During Covid some of our younger talent may have been isolated at home and a culture of sharing knowledge, experience, and wisdom was lacking. However, it also works both ways…I love being inspired by smart, innovative, and thought-provoking individuals of any age. With the Mediaweek Academy, I am very proud of the combination of the Legends & Superstars, Alisha Buaya and I are working on a new Mediaweek monthly feature Meeting of the Minds that will showcase a NGen & 40+ points of view – the power is the inclusion of BOTH perspectives.
New! Meeting of the Minds: UM’s Andrew Murray and Priya Chotalia
During the holiday period, I was also very fortunate to have completed the MFA (Media Federation of Australia) SBS e-learning diversity courses e.g. Core inclusion, Indigenous, Disability, Gender, Culture, LGBTIQ & Age. Other industry bodies such as the ACA and the IMAA are also doing a great job shining a light on diversity and inclusion. My challenge particularly to the leaders in the big media agency world is to make these outstanding SBS courses mandatory! Also, within these courses let us ensure that the Age module gets the engagement it deserves!
Sparrow’s Nest plea to industry leaders
Come on Horgs, Aimee, Coady, Mike Rebelo, Danny, and Virginia, let’s not have these brilliant e-learning resources that can help make a difference in our inclusion/diversity goals a nice to have but a “must do” and be mandatory to be an employee of your agency groups. If you really believe in diversity this is a no-brainer and we already have some brilliant tools so let us ensure everybody in our industry has access and must engage in making a difference. Ageism in particular will affect all of us so we need to act now!
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Greg encourages Sparrow’s Nest reader feedback and topic ideas. Contact the Birdman via [email protected]. The more challenging and the tougher the better!
See also: Greg Graham is inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2022 MFA Awards
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