Cannes Lions received hundreds of nominations from creative leaders all over the world for the second See It Be It programme, launched at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity last year.
The initiative invites 12 women to Cannes Lions for a unique programme and filmmaking project. This year, set against some tough competition, South African Copywriter, Katherine Glover, from Joe Public Johannesburg has been selected as one of the 12.
“The women chosen for the See It Be It programme have to undergo a rigorous interview process. The Cinemark team is delighted that one phenomenal woman from South Africa has been selected and we have no doubt that Katherine will do Joe Public Johannesburg as well as the whole of the country incredibly proud,” says Marketing Manager for Cinemark, Tshireletso Yvonne Diogo.
The See It Be It programme aims to further women’s careers in the creative industry, encouraging them to remain within it. It gives the chosen 12 a chance to network, receive guided access to the jury rooms, meet and greet VIP speakers and undergo dedicated sessions by industry leaders.
“I am delighted and honoured to be one of only 12 female creatives chosen from around the world to take part in the Canes Lions See It Be It programme. I still can’t believe that they picked me and I am extremely grateful to my Creative Director, Roanna Williams, a strong, talented female creative herself, for nominating me,” says Glover.
She believes that the programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity that so few get to experience, from attending the actual festival to getting behind the scenes access. Glover is also looking forward to experiencing See It Be It with 12 like-minded women from vastly different backgrounds who all share her love of advertising and creativity. She says, “I’m hoping to be able to call them all friends after this.”
She adds, “I believe initiatives like this are very important for the industry. Not only do they expose women like me to experiences and people we never would have ever dreamed of experiencing before, but they also bring the gender imbalance in the industry into the spotlight and spark broader debates and discussions around how it can be addressed.”
Glover always dreamed of pursuing a career as a Cannes award-winning filmmaker, but creative writing turned out to be her niche. With a degree in Dramatic Art from Wits University, she found her way the AAA School of Advertising. At Joe Public, she works as a copywriter over a broad range of clients, conceptualising new ideas, writing copy and mentoring young writers. She has won numerous awards including a silver Cannes Lions and many Loerie Awards, but she is still holding out for another Cannes.
The women selected for See It Be It are chosen by their peers because they are some of the most promising creative leaders in their communities.
“We are certain that Katherine is going to show the world that South Africa breeds first-class talent. We also hope that this programme assists her in further advancing her career in the creative communications industry,” says Diogo.
With an aim to highlight the existence of very talented creative women in the industry, accelerate their careers, expose the powers that these women bring to the work and encourage agencies to nurture women’s careers from the inside, See It Be It 2015 is a go.