Annual Review 2022: A Champion Year For ‘All In’

Sharon Lloyd Barnes, Commercial Director & Inclusion Lead, Advertising Association

We are extremely proud of everything that All In has achieved this year. From the launch of six more actions in the All In Action Plan – ranging from improving opportunities for women to supporting physically disabled talent – to the announcement of the first wave of All In Champions and preparing for the return of the All In Census.

The All In Action Plan was shaped entirely by the results of the first All In Census, held in March 2021, and each action created by industry talent with relevant lived experience. The survey provided us with invaluable data on the make-up of our industry as well as insight on the representation and experience of the workforce, serving as a starting point from which to drive positive change. To measure the progress being made, we are conducting the next All In Census on March 15, 2023. We are asking everyone with a role in the UK advertising and marketing industry to take just 15 mi nutes on March 15 to fill out the confidential census-style survey, and help us build a wholly inclusive industry.

It is fantastic to see such a high level of engagement in the All In Action Plan and our ambition is that this collaborative approach to a few key actions will drive change quicker. We introduced All In Champion status in response to industry demand and we announced the first wave at the All In Parliamentary Reception, which took place in the House of Commons in June alongside MPs and many of our members. We had hoped to reveal a dozen companies had been awarded but in fact more than 60 companies submitted evidence that they had implemented the first six actions. We want to encourage every business in our industry to implement the All In Action Plan and signal their support of this collective movement for change by applying to become an All In Champion. Companies can make a start by watching the All In How-To sessions, which we have run throughout the year. They feature brilliant speakers from across the industry sharing their lived experiences and practical tips on how to implement the action plan in your workplace. All sessions are available to watch on demand on our YouTube channel.

We also took All In to Cannes Lions, where we held a fantastic session on the LBB Beach, and panellists stressed the business imperative for implementing inclusion plans. The session really brought home that to deliver a positive portrayal of people from all backgrounds in your creative work, you need a diverse group of people involved in creating that work. Hearing this once more solidified how a D&I strategy must be part of every business strategy – and we will endeavour to make sure All In speaks to all areas of our industry.

In 2023, we will continue working hard to make meaningful progress across our industry. We hope the next All In Census reflects the progress being made while providing us with insightful data on what the next steps are and how we can all work together to build an industry where everyone feels they belong.

Head to our All In Hub to learn more about All In Champions and the upcoming All In Census.

You can download a full copy of our 2022 Annual Review here.