According to GroupM, there is a need to acknowledge the significant progress towards gender equality made in the media and advertising industry.

GroupM says that it wants to celebrate the achievements of these three leaders as an example for the hundreds of women who work hard in the group's agencies and the industry at large.

"Over the past three years, we have focused on developing and recruiting talented women leaders. We have ensured that these women leaders participate in the WPP leadership development programmes to fast-track their career growth," says Seabelo Pilane, GroupM HR director.

GroupM Media Agencies in South Africa says that it is now all led by brave, dynamic and experienced women. These women are:
  • Merissa Himraj, CEO of Wavemaker since Tuesday, 1 February
  • Kate Kitz, Mindshare CEO since Friday, 1 April, and
  • Claudelle Naidoo, CEO Mediacom since Monday, 1 August.

"I consider it a privilege to lead my phenomenal team and inspire the next generation of women to strive for their own success, despite the hurdles society, cultural norms or even industries might create. I am also most inspired by my fellow CEOs at GroupM, amazing women whom I look forward to learning from and leading with," adds Himraj.

Kitz says, "I'm honoured to be part of a group that celebrates and embraces diversity and to work alongside these remarkable industry leaders; inspiring women who dare to dream big, who lead by example and are not afraid to speak up and be heard."

"Ubuntu has never felt more real for me as it does today. I am proud to lead an organisation like MediaCom, where putting people first is about realising equality, humanity and the dreams of our people. I am humbled to be a female leader who has worked really hard to be where I am today with the support and recognition of incredible men and women in society," Naidoo adds.

"As a group, we will continue to drive step change for women to thrive in the workplace," says Naidoo.

As part of the WPP Group, these leaders say that they support the United Nations Women and the Generation Equality Forum that developed a Global Acceleration plan to advance gender equality.

Looking at South African statistics and daily news, the country is not in line to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, which is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, says GroupM.

GroupM concludes that there's much more to do to change the culture and the attitude towards women and girls in our society. Having three women at the helm of GroupM's agencies is a powerful step in the right direction. 

For more information, visit www.groupm.com. You can also follow GroupM on Twitter.