The Power to Create Change

Getting your first shot working within this industry shouldn’t come down to luck or privilege. Take it from Tara, who got her dream internship based on what she refers to as a fluke. Tara says “this needs to change…we need to make those pathways for junior talent much clearer.”

Tara McKenty and Laura Florence are both leaders in their field and while sitting down with host Merlee Jayme, they said they feel they have a responsibility to create change and provide more opportunities for people coming into the industry and those already in it. 

Tara, Laura and Jayme are passionate about giving back and discuss the initiatives they founded to provide more opportunities for training underrepresented talent, retaining underrepresented talent and helping them grow into leadership positions. These include More Girls, Google Rare and The Misfits Camp.

This year, Tara judged on the 2023 LIA Digital and Use of Social Media & Influencers Jury and Laura sat on the Pharma & Medical jury. 

Laura said that a lot of the work had a focus on health literacy and sharing information to ensure patients get a better outcome.Tara’s focus was on content creation and says that influencers who are native users of platforms like TikTok know how to design creative for the platform far more easily than people who are coming from more traditional film backgrounds.

Both Laura and Tara leave the following message: For those who are privileged, be a transformer, not someone who is learning about diversity; you have the power to do something.”

Show Notes 

MORE Girls: https://dare.havas.com/news-archive/the-time-is-now/The misfits camp: https://themisfitscamp.com/

Guests:

Tara McKenty, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Executive Creative Director at BMF, Sydney

Laura Florence, Executive Creative Director, Havas Health & You, São Paulo 

Host: Merlee Jayme, Chairmom / Founder at The Misfits Camp, Makati City

Producer: Sarah Knights, Eardrum 

Music: Brian Yessian, Yessian Music

Manager: Laurissa Levy, London International Awards

Production Company: Eardrum