PHD account director Gemma Teeling has been named as the winner of the second annual Doyenne award. The industry honour is presented by the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) to mark the leadership potential of women working in advertising in Ireland and aims to address the under-representation of women at senior level in adland.
Teeling’s career to date has spanned London and Dublin and she has lead a number of global brands and agency teams. The award judges were impressed by her clarity and conviction and her relentless commitment to doing the very best work she can. They described Teeling as a natural collaborator, with the ability to persuade and influence clients and agency teams.
The judges said her presentation was highly creative and she told a compelling story. Her ‘stick-at-it ability’ was obvious and her theme, ‘going in to battle’, showed the challenges in working in advertising and the tenacity and drive needed to make things happen. IAPI extended the award to honour women under 30 with the introduction of the Rising Star prize.
The shortlisted candidates were chosen on their ability to lead but also on their potential to inspire and act as a role model to other women. The inaugural winner was MediaVest client director Aoibhin Lennon. The judges said Lennon had not only led major accounts but her strategic approach to handling important client data and insight, both in Australia and Ireland, and her commitment to ensuring the right action was taken, was most impressive.
Lennon – whose father is Sunday World boss Gerry Lennon – struck the judges as someone who is passionate about doing the right thing for clients and getting effective solutions. Although only 28 years of age, senior blue-chip clients are keen to have her at the top of their agency teams. She shows strategic talent and capability, genuine enthusiasm and drive.
Doyenne judges comprised Orlaith Blaney, CEO McCannBlue and president of IAPI; Geoff Scully, managing director of Littlewoods Ireland; Peter McPartlin, chief executive, Today FM, Sharon Walsh, marketing director, Heineken Ireland and Liz Doyle, sales manager at Associated Newspapers Ireland (ASI). The award is run in association with ASI’s Evoke.ie in tandem with the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).
Pictured above, from left, are IAPI president Orlaith Blaney, Dee Colgan, Runway Marketing, Gemma Teeling, Aine Osbourne, Carat, Lynne Brennan, Ican, Aoibhin Lennon, MediaVest and Jessica King, Mindshare. IAPI chief executive Tania Banotti (right) is alongside Jess Majekodunmi, DDFH&B and Amy Satelle, McCannBlue, at the breakfast in the Dean Hotel.
