Melbourne Advertising & Design Club has launched a mentoring and support program for the advertising industry, affectionately called The Aunties.
The name pays tribute to advertising mentor, Esther Clerehan, who often refers to herself as an “auntie” to the countless number of women she’s mentored over the years.
Posting on LinkedIn, Clerehan, a creative talent specialist said: “I’m not going to lie. I am super proud to be the OG Auntie”.
The program is the brainchild of Phoebe Sloane, creative at Special, and has been realised by the eleven women of the Melbourne Advertising & Design Club (MADC) committee.
Sloane told AdNews she was inspired by her own experience in the advertising industry.
"Female mentors and role models have been a critical part of my journey as a female creative. Women experience many unique things at some agencies - some good, bad and sometimes confusing,” says Sloane.
“So having an Auntie, an objective person who is always in your corner, a person you can confide in and learn from outside the pressures of your workplace, we hope will encourage and facilitate important and deep conversations."
The Aunties is for industry women at all stages of their careers and lives.
MADC co-president Matt Lawson says the program could extend beyond Melbourne: “We love how the Aunties is now part of the MADC family, but do see it as something Melbourne shouldn’t keep to itself, so we have ambitions to expand interstate and of course, eventually have a few international Aunties too.”
Applications close at 5pm on November 12 and the aunties can be reached at hello@the-aunties.com
Communicado ECD Sarah McGregor, one of The Aunties’ team members, says applicants will have access to an expansive network: “Between ourselves and MADC’s agency partners, we’re able to tap into an incredible and expansive network. We will reach and connect women of all levels across creative, production, client management, strategy and PR to learn, support and grow.”
In early 2022, the next phase of the mentorship program will prioritise connecting new mothers with other mothers who have gone through similar experiences re-entering the workforce.
McGregor says an Auntie can help mothers with the transition back to work.
“Heading back to the agency can be a daunting prospect for many new mums after the birth of their child; so we want to help aid this transition by pairing them with someone who’s been there and done that.
“We believe that by supporting mothers returning to work, we’ll end up with more experienced, senior women to fill executive roles.”
The Aunties will also be running a series of events in 2022 that will cover topics relevant to women. From exploring broad themes like confidence to specific conversations around signing NDAs, there are plans to host some big names for some big conversations, as well providing opportunities for women to network and enjoy a long-awaited catch up. Details will be posted on The Aunties' Instagram page.
The program will extend in 2022. In April - mid /senior women with approximately five years' experience in the industry will be paired up with a leader to help them level up.
Early next year, future founders and leaders can get help from an Auntie. Women who want to run and start their own business will be paired up with someone who has done/is doing exactly this.
The Aunties team are:
- Phoebe Sloane, Special
- Sarah McGregor, Communicado
- Huei Yin Wong, Clemenger BBDO
- Nat Taylor, Sherpa
- Lauren Eddy, Bullfrog
- Katarina Matic, Bullfrog
- Jess van Roosendaal, Fin Design + Effects
- Edwina Gilbert, Filmgraphics
- Polly McGregor, Bang Bang Studios
- Regina Stroombergen, Thinkerbell
- Robyn Bergmann, VMLY&R
- Romanca Mundrea, The Monkeys, part of Accenture Interactive
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