We like solutions that change things here at Funny Women so we are delighted to be working with one of the funniest female double acts in the advertising world.
Caroline Pay and Vicki Maguire are joint chief creative officers at Grey London, and helping us to present Comedy for Creatives, on Thursday 24th May, an action packed interactive day of workshops and panel discussions.
This is a hands-on event designed to lift the lid on some of the techniques and skills that we employ in the world of female comedy that will help you create the kind of content that brands can embrace and women will find hilarious.
Last year our very own founder, Lynne Parker, facilitated on the amazing Future Leaders programme run by Creative Equals. She worked with over 50 women from across the creative industries running her Stand Up to Stand Out workshops.
Not only did Lynne discover that there is a huge appetite for comedy related skills to build confidence and create humorous female-led content, she was shocked at how few opportunities exist for women to be on the creative frontline. Advertising is still like Mad Men with predominantly male writers and directors, reminiscent of the comedy world which led Lynne to set up Funny Women 15 years ago.
And this is on screen as well as behind the scenes. When Lynne was interviewed for an article in The Drum about the lack of strong women in television advertising campaigns, she and the other women interviewed struggled to find good examples.
As well as lending us their top duo, Grey London is kindly opening its doors to Funny Women as a venue and there will be an opportunity for some face-to-face laughs with Caroline and Vicki on the day. In the meantime, we made them stop still long enough to answer a few questions for us about their careers, passions and working together.
Q How did you get where you are today?
CP I could talk about art school, uni, college, placements galore, all the people, the experiences, the lessons, but the truth is 25% skill, 25% tenacity, 25% hard work, 25% incredible charm, passion and wit.
VM Sheer bloody mindedness and the generosity of some incredible mentors . I didn’t go to ad school. I worked nights to put a book together.
Q What motivates you to go to work every day?
CP Hanging out with my work wife. Bouncing around the office like a kid in a candy store. Learning, learning, learning, all day every day.
VM I wake up everyday angry, frustrated and excited in equal measure. Today could be the day that I/we can make a difference.
Q What or who makes you laugh and why?
CP Girlfriends. And my big sister. Mainly just chatting shit and being REALLY inappropriate.
VM Gotta say a quicker witted retort to an inane question always tickles me.
Q What is your best ‘top tip’ for being a female creative in what remain a largely masculine environment?
CP Don’t play on being a girl, play on being absolutely brilliant at thinking, making and selling.
VM Be good. Love what you do. Listen. Soak it up. Speak up. Take your seat at the table. Learn..let others poor the coffee. And take the notes (Unless it’s your job to take notes… then take fucking brilliant notes! ) above all don’t take any shit. From anyone. Ever.
Women after our own hearts!
Book now for Comedy for Creatives – early bird deal runs until midnight Friday 27th April and contact us for group bookings on info@funnywomen.com. More details about the day here.
