See It & Be It: Advice from Deutsch’s Linda Sawyer

The 4A’s is asking  some of the most visible women in advertising: How can one succeed in advertising if you’re a woman, person of color, LGBT or a member of an under represented demographic group. Here, Linda Sawyer chairperson of Deutsch, offers her take on the ongoing debate,

“My advice to someone starting a career in advertising would not necessarily be different for a woman or a man. You need to be ambitious, driven, curious, strategic, creative, decisive and insightful. I think as a woman, you need to believe and embrace that gender does not have to be a challenge or barrier, particularly if you choose to work for companies and people in which the final criteria for success is performance-based. Additionally, think of your career as a portfolio of experiences. Thoughtfully evaluate your choices and decisions to ensure learning/developmental opportunities, exposure to new skills, and diversity of business environments (i.e., size of the company, structure, management, culture).”