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 Faculty’s co-founder and CEO, Nasya Kamrat. She started her career as a writer and aspiring theatre director, but happened into the advertising business like many of us, thinking it would be a temporary diversion while she worked on her original career path. Twenty years later, she leads one of the most exciting and smart agencies in the business.
As we talked about the lack of female ownership in the advertising business, Nasya opened up some lines of responsibility we haven’t gone deep on yet on the podcast, so you’re in for a treat today. She talks about the responsibility of brands in setting the right environment for women to own it.
There’s so much goodness in this episode. You’ll enjoy it!
Learn more about Faculty at wearefaculty.com. Be sure to connect with Nasya on LinkedIn as well.
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Cultivating strong relationships and community with clients, employees, and peers is paramount to an agency's success. Long-term clients are retained not just by exceptional work, but by the trust and friendship forged. Similarly, building a supportive community within the industry, especially among underrepresented groups, fosters collaboration over competition, which can lead to greater collective success and systemic change.
Brands, particularly large ones, have a significant responsibility and the power to drive meaningful change in diversity within the advertising industry. They should move beyond tokenistic "box-checking" in procurement and actively commit to sourcing a substantial percentage of their vendors and creative partners from underrepresented groups. This commitment needs to translate into tangible actions and a willingness to challenge traditional, often exclusionary, processes like RFPs, which create high barriers to entry for smaller, diverse agencies.
The advertising industry's current system wasn't built for women or other underrepresented groups. Instead of trying to fit into an existing, often cutthroat, structure, the goal should be to dismantle and rebuild it in a way that is inclusive and equitable. This involves creating new communities and structures where women leaders support each other, share opportunities, and collectively work towards systemic change, rather than viewing each other as competition.
Starting an agency, especially for women who often bear significant caretaking responsibilities, can be daunting due to financial insecurity and the immense responsibility for employees. However, it's essential to recognize that no one starts with all the answers, and the entrepreneurial journey is one of continuous learning and adaptation. Building a strong support network and accepting that mistakes will happen can mitigate fear, allowing individuals to pursue their aspirations and create the work environments they envision.
