GroupM Australia launches internal ‘We Stand Together’ campaign to support LGBTQI+ employees

GroupM Australia is launching a campaign in support of its LGBTQI+ community as part of its All Means All Diversity & Inclusion strategy. The internal, staff-facing “We Stand Together” campaign was developed by staff volunteers and advocates and is launching to all MediaCom, Wavemaker, Mindshare & Essence staff today.

All Means All launched globally in 2018 to accelerate GroupM’s D&I strategy and bring it to life across the business. It consists of five pillars, PrideM, CultureM, EnableM, GenerationM and GenderM, each directed at a different element of D&I. The pillars are staffed by volunteer committees across GroupM agencies who work with GroupM’s HR and talent teams and senior leadership to drive change across the entire organization. It has resulted in events celebrating diversity, initiatives expanding the inclusiveness of GroupM’s workplaces, and changes to policies and people-focused strategies, all designed to future-proof the business and inspire excellence.

Launching on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, “We Stand Together” is intended to provide an engagement platform that visibly demonstrates the open and inclusive environment at GroupM and to show support for LGBTQI+ colleagues.

Staff are encouraged to adopt “We Stand Together” assets across social media to mark the occasion, and visibly demonstrate their ongoing support with GroupM branded rainbow stickers that are being distributed to staff in all GroupM agencies in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

GroupM is also hosting a charity Bake Off, with each Sydney and Melbourne agency baking an inclusion cake, which will be sold off at an auction attended by media partners to raise funds for a local charity that supports the LGBTQI+ community.

“We Stand Together” follows the International Women’s Day ‘Women of GroupM’ campaign, which celebrated women from all levels of the business across social channels every day in March, and a Mardi Gras float competition. There are further initiatives and activities to come throughout the year such as a panel discussion exploring different cultures.

Says Mark Lollback, CEO, GroupM Australia & New Zealand: “We’re celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This is a day we shouldn’t need, however research by Diversity Council Australia suggests there is still much work required to end discrimination in the workplace. Therefore, we must continue to reinforce that discrimination of any kind is not tolerated, and to lead the movement from acceptance to inclusion for our people.

“I never fail to be impressed that when our people are given an opportunity to come together with a purpose, they do brilliant things. All Means All is led by our people, and that ownership means it’s authentic and reflects the culture our teams are creating within GroupM.”

GroupM is part of WPP AUNZ, Australasia’s leading creative transformation company.