In 2020 of the top 200 bestselling business books, only 17 were written by women. That’s equal to the number of business bestsellers written by men named John or Jon. A statistic that is a compelling reminder of the importance of widening the lens and bursting the male-dominated bubble of thought leadership in the marketing industry. 

The male bias in marketing thought leadership begins early. Writing in the Harvard Business Review Lesley Symons, Leadership Coach, and Mentor, revealed research showing that only 11% of top business school case studies have a female protagonist. 

To help change the narrative, winners, and supporters of the Women in Marketing Awards are reviewing and highlighting the most innovative creativity, culture, and marketing books, which also just happen to be primarily written by women. Books that will be welcome additions to the reading lists of progressive marketers.

At a time when it is difficult to stay creative, curious, and outward-looking each review will include insights on what each book encouraged the reader to consider differently. These books will span all aspects of marketing and intersections. The books will be reviewed each month in BITE by supporters and winners of the Women in Marketing Awards. 

Ade Onilude, Founder and CEO of Women in Marketing, a Community Interest Company, explained that the new series reflects the focus of the community this year; Flow.  She hopes that the focus on female authors will remind marketing leaders of the importance of finding and growing your own unique voice. 

Onilude points to the Toni Morrison quote:  “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it”. 

Sharing the books that have inspired her WIM journey Onilude points to Stiletto Network by Pamela Ryckman. She explains: “This book in my opinion was the ‘blueprint’ for analysis on the development of Women’s networks and movements. Thank you, Emma Sexton, for inviting me to your event which featured Pamela, an amazing woman. I still have my signed copy, I’m waiting for part two.”

She also highlights the pioneering analysis of female retention Your Loss: How to Win Back Female Talent, by Christina Ioannidis and Nicola Walther. Ioannidis, the CEO of Aquitude, who sits on the Women in Marketing advisory council, is an expert in retaining top female talent.  As she recently explained: “When you talk to women about why they are leaving the corporate world it is not about work, life balance it is about values.”

Kai Deveraux Lawson, Senior Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Dentsu Creative, has spoken passionately about the importance of telling new stories in the marketing industry. 

Explaining why Dentsu are supporting the project, she explains: “I encourage everyone to get involved in the campaign, read books by women authors, share their reviews, and support the vital work of women writers everywhere. Together, we can harness the power of books to inspire, inform, and transform our lives.”

Sharing the books that have shaped her own worldview, she shares that as a young girl, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Dear God It’s Me Margaret, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Flyy Girl, Harry Potter, The Great Gatsby, and Kite Runner were the books that broadened her imagination and opened my eyes to the world outside of the world around me. 

She explained: “It’s through the written word of people I never met, that I was able to find and define who I am and who I aspired to evolve into as an adult. I believe books are essential for personal and professional growth, as they challenge our thinking and offer opportunities for a world of exposure that is not always readily available in our immediate communities. It’s for this reason that my team and I are proud to support The Book Project to amplify the work of women authors. By reading books, we can foster our creativity, deepen our knowledge and expertise, enhance our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and promote diversity and inclusion.”

An approach which underlines the most progressive marketers and thinkers never believe they have nothing left to learn. Making the time for reading isn’t always easy, but having an always learning approach in the marketing industry’s always on ecosystem is vital for growth.