This week on Own It, we’re talking to Lisa Kribs from TGW Studio. She is based in Rochester, New York, and came up through the creative side of the business. Her firm is a social impact marketing and creative studio that helps clients tell their stories.
She is also a musician and recently finished an E-P! As you can imagine, we had a lot to discuss. I’m always excited to learn from creative brains. This episode certainly has a lot of that.
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The advertising industry, being inherently creative, should constantly explore new and different ways of operating. Owners have the freedom to experiment with innovative approaches, like a four-day work week, even if these methods aren't universally applicable. The key is that these approaches must benefit their own organization and people, setting a creative and forward-thinking tone for their teams.
The foundation of TGW Studio, "This Good World," reflects a deep-seated belief in the inherent goodness of the world and humanity's capacity for positive influence. This "radical optimism" helps maintain inspiration and drive, even amidst challenges. It encourages believing in the potential for mutual influence and acting as a positive light, rejecting negativity and focusing on shared human connections.
Despite the advertising industry's role in communicating with and resonating with diverse audiences, there's a significant disparity in leadership, with a vast majority of messages originating from male-owned agencies. This lack of diverse representation at the top (C-level positions) means that most advertising decisions are made from a narrow perspective, potentially missing out on nuanced and effective communication. Increasing representation, particularly from women and LGBTQ+ individuals, is crucial for better, more authentic work that truly reflects and connects with diverse target audiences.
For young professionals, especially women, it's vital to show up authentically and tackle challenges to the best of their ability. More importantly, they should understand that many societal and industry "rules" are constructs. Progress and breakthroughs depend on continuously pushing, asking questions, and challenging the status quo. This mindset encourages innovation and prevents future generations from being constrained by outdated or arbitrary norms.
Creating a genuinely safe and inclusive workspace is paramount, especially given statistics showing a significant percentage of working professionals are not "out" at work. This extends beyond basic acceptance to actively fostering an environment where individuals can bring their whole selves to work without fear. This means consistently "upgrading firmware" to meet evolving needs, embracing neurodiversity, and ensuring the workplace remains a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and wants to be.
