‘Once in a Lifetime’: Stories from Adland’s Margins

Description:

The ad industry is reckoning with its long history of exclusion and marginalization, particularly of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ talent. But is an avalanche of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings really the only way to change the industry culture? In response, in 2020 a group of marginalized female employees at agency Mediahub Worldwide came together to create a space that centered the voices of those who have been historically excluded. The resulting live-storytelling format, Once In a Lifetime, is by employees, for employees, and features stories from those who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable about the obstacles they've overcome to work in advertising. This series provides a powerful framework for other organizations trying to change their cultures through empathy and shared understanding.