Mad women : a herstory of advertising

"Christina Knight has taken it upon herself to shine a light on the greatest advertising thinkers, from the incomparable Mary Wells Lawrence to legends like Cilla Snowball and Shelly Lazarus, to young women in the industry today. She offers inspirational stories of talent, fortitude and sheer hard work. Women are still woefully under-represented in advertising, especially in the senior roles. This book is packed with 17 reasons why that must change."
PHILIOP THOMAS, CHAIRMAN CANNES LIONS 

Meet 17 inspiring ad women who have paved their own way in an industry traditionally defined by Mad men. Their experiences and advice on how to make advertising more diverse, inclusive and gender equal is a game changer and something agencies, clients and consumers will benefit from. So, pass the book on and make sure everyone reads it, whether they are an ad student, the art director next to you, your client, your boss or your very best friend.

The women in the book:
Christina Knight
Shanteka Sigers
Cilla Snowball
Joanna Wong
Catrin Vagnemark
Mary Wells Lawrence
Stefanie Wurst
Shelly Lazarus
Marianna Ghirlanda
Rakhshin Patel
Jean Grow
Anna Quennerstedt
Susan Hoffman
Margaret Key
Nunu Ntsihingila-Njeke
Kat Gordon
Nina Åkestam Wikner

"This book is a well-needed, empowering and inspirational account of women s experiences of the ad industry. An industry which far too long has lacked the perspective of half of the population; the very half which to such a large extent represents the consumer. Therefore, everyone who wants to shape our future industry should put it on their reading list immediately." 
MARY WELLS LAWRENCE, CEO & COPYWRITER 

Christina Knight has worked in the communications industry for almost 30 years and has throughout her career been a role model by teaching, inspiring and acting as a mentor to young women in this still male-dominated industry. She dares to question and be critical about her own industry. With the book "Mad Women - A Herstory of Advertising", she put the issue on the agenda which led to an annual gender equality survey in the industry, a TED talk and numerous international lectures. Christina's effort and enduring commitment has certainly contributed greatly to change the perception of leadership in the communications industry, an industry that greatly influences the public space in terms of role models, values nd beliefs, not least in a younger generation. Christina Knight is a great role model and well worthy of attention for what she is - a leader.

Today Christina Knight is running Mad Women Academy (madwomenacademy.com) supporting change within the advertising and communications industry, with an emphasis on gender balance and more diversity. Mad Women Academy offers online training, strategic and conceptual work, lectures and teaching. Customers include The Amazing Society, Bergendahls, Fredrika Bremer Förbundet, Jureskogs,  IKEA Sweden, The Swedish Institute, House of Sweden/Washington DC, The History Museum, Stockholm,  UN Women/HeForShe, WaterAid, The 3% Conference, Swedfund, Berghs School of Communications, Forsbergs and more.

The first edition was created in cooperation with KOMM! (Swedish Association of Communication Agencies) and is part of the ongoing work for equality.

OLIKA is an award-winning Swedish publishing house working for gender equality and equality.