Asians in Advertising breaks barriers at first in-person summit

Over 600 AAPI advertising professionals push for change in representation in the advertising industry

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kicked off with a number of events across the country, including the very first in-person “Breaking Barriers Summit” by Asians in Advertising. 

Asians in Advertising hosted its first in-person summit in Culver City California with a sold out event with over 300 attendees and 300 more online. 

“It was truly heartening to see guests traveling from across the nation, and even several internationally from Canada, to be a part of this special occasion,” says Bernice Chao, co-founder of Asians in Advertising. 

The organization started in 2021 and quickly amassed a large membership, hosting virtual and in-person events across the United States. 

Cold Tea Collective was a proud partner at this event to celebrate our stories, amplify the work currently being done to advance representation of AAPI advertising professionals and empower our community to break barriers in this space. Read about our event highlights below. 

Bringing humanity to work

The “Breaking Barriers Summit” started off with an opening keynote by Susie Nam, CEO of Publicis Creative US. To a room full of AAPI advertising professionals, Nam shared about her experience in coming back to work after maternity leave with her first child and how that encouraged her to push for better working experiences for working mothers, parents and those of Asian descent in the advertising industry. 

A very visual representation of this was when Ambika Pai, Head of Brand at TIAA, brought her daughter on stage with her as she participated in the panel on how to leave a lasting impression as a creative professional. She along with other speakers encouraged the audience to bring their whole selves to work to break barriers around human-centered connection and compassion in the workplace. 

Throughout the day, many of the panelists shared their experiences ranging from challenges to triumphs in growing their advertising careers, in addition to the support they received along the way. The in-person audience was predominantly made of emerging and mid-level advertising professionals and the advice of panelists was received with nods and acknowledgements of the journey to come.

See also: OpenTable’s Susan Lee holds space for diversity and working parents

Elevating Asians in Advertising with mentorship and sponsorship for success

More opportunities for Asians in the advertising profession comes from a variety of channels, including mentorship and sponsorship.

Mentorship is a one-to-one professional relationship between a more experienced professional and an emerging professional, providing insight and guidance from one’s own experience. 

Professional sponsorship is when someone in a position of influence or decision-making power advocates for one’s professional advancement in the workplace. 

Bill Imada, Chairman, Chief Connectivity Officer, and founder of IW Group shared his experience in a very stressful pitch in the early part of his career. Fresh out of college with a $40,000 student loan debt, Imada recalls the support of a mentor of his who paid off his entire debt so that he could take on a client project without worry of having to decide between a project and taking on important work. Recently named to the American Advertising Hall of Fame, it is this generosity that Mr. Imada has paid forward to organizations and causes that advance the representation of AAPI individuals across industries. 

Asians in Advertising was created to be a space for Asians in the advertising industry to connect and get support to elevate their careers. Their Nextgen Mentorship Program matches experienced advertising professionals from 3AF (the Asian American Advertising Federation), to junior or emerging talent, in hopes of supporting their career journeys. 

See also: 15th Annual 3AF Asian Marketing Summit 

Breaking barriers, together

300 advertising professionals came together to learn, grow and consider the future of their careers and work. To advance career opportunities for Asians in Advertising, attendees recognized the importance of doing so collectively. 

To continue to push for progress, Asians in Advertising co-founder and author of “The Visibility Mindset” Bernice Chao encourages us to do the following: 

Amplifying Asian Voices and Representation is essential for creating a more diverse and inclusive industry landscape. Using your platform and influence to highlight the achievements and contributions of Asian professionals, showcasing diverse perspectives in campaigns and creative work, and advocating for more inclusive storytelling all contribute to a more prosperous and more vibrant industry where Asian talent is celebrated and recognized for its unique contributions.

Advocating for Diversity and Inclusion is a powerful way to shape your organization’s culture and create meaningful opportunities for Asian professionals in the advertising industry. By actively supporting diversity initiatives, such as recruiting and retaining Asian talent, participating in diversity committees, and encouraging leadership to prioritize diversity in hiring and promotions, you contribute to a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and succeed.

Offering Mentorship and Sponsorship to Asian colleagues or aspiring professionals can significantly impact their career journeys. Sharing your knowledge, experiences, and insights can provide invaluable guidance and support as they navigate their paths in the advertising world. Additionally, sponsoring Asian talent by actively promoting their work, recommending them for opportunities, and providing visibility within the industry can positively impact their career trajectory and help them reach new heights of success.

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Learn more about Asians in Advertising and their upcoming events.

Learn about how Cold Tea Collective partners with brands, agencies and organizations as a creative media partner to connect with AAPI audiences through thoughtful and authentic storytelling or request a media kit by emailing natasha[at]coldteacollective[dot]com.