How Caitlin Masingill of Full Swing Public Relations, Owns It
Hi and welcome to the OWN IT podcast, where we celebrate the growing number of (women and non-binary) ad agency owners and talk about buying out of the boys’ club of advertising, one agency at a time.
Today, we’re talking to Caitlin Masingill of Full Swing Public Relations. She hails from Boise, Idaho, and wanted to be a broadway actress before she found the wonderful world of agency life.
Now, her agency journey and insights about ownership and the main topic we discuss here of closing the gender gap in agency ownership is well worth hearing. But Caitlin’s path to being ready to own it is both incredible and inspirational.
In 2012, she became the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Missoula, Montana city council after being frustrated with “no” votes for an anti-discrimination ordinance. That “first” status led to a role in a large public affairs firm.
You just have to hear her tell the story. She is so brilliant and inspiring. I loved this conversation so much. I know you will, too.
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Key Takeaways
EPISODE: Caitlin Masingill of Full Swing Public Relations
1. The Power of Ownership for Systemic Change | 00:18:11
Ownership provides the ultimate power to enact change from within an organization, allowing leaders to reshape operational norms and advocate for broader societal shifts. Caitlin Masingill discusses how owning her agency enabled her to implement policies like covering abortion travel expenses for employees, influencing even larger companies to follow suit. This agility and direct control inherent in ownership are crucial for driving mission-driven initiatives and impacting the community.
2. Overcoming Barriers to Women in Business Ownership | 00:15:45
Women face unique challenges in business ownership, including risk aversion often tied to caregiving responsibilities and a lack of visible role models. Caitlin highlights that it's difficult for women to aspire to what they don't see, making the presence of successful female owners crucial. Additionally, societal expectations and the disproportionate burden of household and emotional labor can impede women's ability to focus solely on business growth, a focus often required to scale.
3. The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship in Business Growth | 00:22:33
Mentorship and sponsorship are critical for elevating women into ownership roles. Instead of competition, women should focus on uplifting each other and creating opportunities. This includes innovative approaches like offering executive coaching as a benefit to leadership teams and addressing practical burdens like household chores to free up women's time for professional growth.
4. Businesses as Agents of Social and Political Change | 00:27:20
Businesses have a significant role to play in driving social and political change. Consumers increasingly seek out purpose-driven brands, making it imperative for agencies to guide clients in taking stands on important issues. Caitlin emphasizes that even small businesses can initiate impactful policies, setting examples that larger corporations might emulate, and contributing to a stronger democracy and civil society.
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