What is Smelly Lunch Stories?
Smelly Lunch Stories is a welcoming yet ambitious initiative that hopes to change the lack of diversity in leadership roles across the marketing, advertising and media industry. ‘Smelly Lunches’ is a metaphor for what divided us, but sharing these stories will ultimately be what will bridge the gap.
How are we going to do so?
We will find, host, and amplify the personal stories and experiences of those from culturally diverse backgrounds - of those who have made it to leadership roles, and those who are still on their way. We are doing so because a key finding in the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Leading For Change’ report outlined the importance of storytelling as a key mechanism to drive change.
Sometimes the stories will be shared in person at intimate events, sometimes the stories will be shared digitally, but the Smelly Lunch Stories will always be shared over food.
Why are we doing it?
We want to make people from ethnic minority backgrounds feel optimistic about their future in the marketing, advertising and media industry. And more diverse voices in our industry can only lead to greater representation in culture and stronger creativity in insight-led communications work.
What does success look like?
Smelly Lunch Stories aims to increase the number of people from ethnically diverse backgrounds in positions of leadership and executive management across Australia’s marketing and communications companies.
