WERKIN partners with BRiM to launch first ever Sponsorship programme to accelerate Black talent in the Marketing industry
Career development and mentoring leader WERKIN has partnered with Black Representation in Marketing (BRiM) to launch the first ever Sponsorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of Black professionals in the UK Marketing industry, and to reduce systemic barriers that exist for Black talent.
Research conducted by the Advertising Association’s 2021 All In Census discovered that Black talent only makes up for 3% of the entire marketing industry, and while 70% of marketing professionals understand the need for fairer Black representation, more than 40% of professionals have not made any decisions to increase Black representation in the past 12 months.
WERKIN and BRiM’s cross-industry pilot programme helps companies improve their inclusion and diversity initiatives, by connecting employees from underrepresented groups with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support in their areas of expertise. The program also includes training, networking, and career development opportunities, making it a comprehensive solution to help employees from underrepresented groups grow and advance in their careers.
BRiM member organisations include companies such as Deloittes, META, Pepsico, Unilever, Wise and TUI among others. The programme has already been adopted by several leading agencies such as OMD UK, Publicis Media, VCCP, DRUM OMG, Wunderman Thompson, IAB UK more, with these companies already seeing a positive impact on their inclusion and diversity initiatives:
Steve Hatch, Vice President, META Northern Europe, and chair of the BRiM Steering Group said, “The whole goal of BRiM is to turn good intent into actions and WERKIN has helped us turn that goal into a reality by delivering a highly engaging programme that is already celebrated by early participants. We look forward to continuing our BRiM sponsorship work in 2023 and beyond”.
Participants of the program have already seen significant improvements in their job performance and have reported feeling more valued and included in the workplace:
“After speaking to my sponsor I felt like I could go out and conquer anything!”, said Evadne Ricketts, Creative Solutions Project Manager at Shell and BRiM Sponsee.
"The programme has been a game-changer for me in terms of defining and refining what I want to do with my future. I’ve been matched with an incredible sponsor who has coaching experience, which I’ve found invaluable in providing guidance and support in my career development”, said Jordain Edwards, Recruitment Manager at VCCP and participant in the program.
BRiM is a cross-industry initiative launched in 2021 to improve the representation of Black people in marketing and is supported by the UK Advertising Association. BRiM have partnered with WERKIN to launch the first programme of its kind, because of WERKIN’s expertise in delivering inclusion-centred Mentoring & Sponsorship programmes, designed for underrepresented groups, and their focus on creating psychologically safe spaces.
Mimi Okorie, Account Director at Hearts and Science and participant in the programme said, “I left my workshop tearing up. To hear people's stories and to understand that whilst we sometimes feel our stories are quite similar, everyone has different journeys and challenges. It was beautiful to see.”
For more information or media opportunities please contact Sachaa Pattison, Head of Communications, WERKIN sachaa.pattison@getwerkin.com
WERKIN specialises in business growth, mentorship and sponsorship programmes to support the needs of underrepresented groups and foster more inclusive leadership. www.getwerkin.com
BRiM is a cross-industry initiative launched in 2021 to improve the representation of Black people in marketing and is supported by the UK Advertising Association. www.adassoc.org.uk/brim