By Mary Ann Grajek and Lauren Ramaska, Media+ Managing Partners
Advertising in the 1980s was quite similar to the Mad Men era we all watched on TV, with men running shops and holding virtually all leadership positions. Women were undervalued, dismissed, often harassed, and rarely in positions that held any power. That’s why the Media+ story is different. Media+ was founded in 1983 by two women, Kathy Neukirchen and Lani Jacobson, during a time where women did not lead agencies.
At the same time, media was often treated like a side dish; it was under-valued compared to the creative discipline. Recognizing this, Lani and Kathy saw an opportunity: to create a media-focused agency where women were valued leaders.
When we took over the company seven years ago, we carried forward those guiding principles, and have since doubled in size while continuing to elevate women by leading by example. For us, it’s about ensuring women have a seat at the table and have true influence. Because we grew up at Media+, first starting as an office manager and front desk receptionist, respectively, we’ve seen this come true. Every person within our walls has a voice and contributes to the company. This principle is so ingrained in our DNA that we rarely think about it. It’s just part of who we have always been.
Fast forward to 2024, and we’re thrilled to share that Media+ is now certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. The award states that our business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women, and has the appropriate structure and strategic business planning and implementation in place. We’re proud that our ownership is 100% female. And this inclusion goes beyond the ownership level with two-thirds of our VPs and Directors being women.
While Media+ has always been an inclusive business that empowers women as leaders, it’s not just up to us to forge an industry where women are on the same playing field as others. We urge organizations of all shapes and sizes, across categories, to identify actionable ways to ensure that women are relevant, admired and supported. If everyone commits to this, we’ll make the world a better place for generations to come.
