Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership

What Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership does

WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership) is a UK-based, non-profit membership organisation founded in 1923 in London, currently comprising nearly 300 senior female leaders drawn from client organisations, agencies, media owners and trade bodies across the advertising, media, marketing and communications industry. The organisation operates a three-pillar model: Support (peer network and emotional support for members), Inspire (Talent Festival, Talent Awards, Talent Mentoring Programme and Talent Sessions for emerging female+ leaders), and Campaign (50% CEO Campaign, Male Allyship Initiative, timeTo, Flexible First, #ChangeTheStats, and RepresentMe). Its stated mission is to achieve 50% female CEO representation in the industry by 2045, supported by an evidence-led Five Levers for Change strategy.

Revenue is generated through annual membership subscriptions of approximately £630-£950, ticketed events (Talent Festival tickets priced £150-£350 plus VAT depending on city), paid mentoring programmes (£80-£120 per participant across two annual cohorts), corporate sponsorship from major advertisers and platforms (Google, WPP Media, GroupM, Lloyds, Dove, YouTube, Diageo, Tesco), and endorsement revenue from industry partnerships. All profits are directed to NABS and the WACL Talent Awards rather than distributed. Operations run on third-party SaaS tooling (ActiveCampaign CRM, Stripe, Eventbrite, Grant Platform) with no proprietary technology platform. Distribution is event-driven and network-led, with the endorsement-based membership application process (requiring two existing members with 2+ years tenure) serving as the primary gating mechanism for growth.

Recent strategic activity includes the February 2026 launch of the Nations and Regions Initiative (first geographic expansion to North England and Scotland), the April 2026 Male Allyship Initiative, and the scaling of the timeTo campaign to 300+ business signatories against sexual harassment. The organisation is governed by a volunteer Executive Committee led by President Claire Sadler (CMO, British Heart Foundation) and Vice President Katie Lee (CEO, Starcom UK).

Name

Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership

Legal name

Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership

Website

https://wacl.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WACL is a UK non-profit membership organisation founded in 1923, comprising nearly 300 senior female leaders in advertising, media and communications. It accelerates gender equality through peer support, talent development programmes, and industry campaigns including timeTo and the 50% CEO initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Leadership Organization

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote/Hybrid Leadership & Distributed Team Management (EDABAAAN), Performance Management & OKRs (BPACAPAF)

Keywords

• Women's leadership association
• Industry membership organization
• Gender equality programs
• Executive mentoring services
• Leadership development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscriptions ranging approximately £630-950 per year. Members must commit to 'The Power of 3': attend 1 WACL dinner or drinks event, contribute by buying/donating 1 ticket for Mentoring or Festival of Talent, and engage as Mentor, Committee member, or Campaign supporter.
2. Festival of Talent Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for the annual leadership accelerator event. Pricing varies by location: London £350, Manchester £160, Edinburgh £190, Virtual £150 (all plus VAT and booking fees). Group bookings available with 10% discount for 10+ tickets. All profits support WACL's mission including NABS and Talent Awards.
3. Talent Mentoring Programme: Structured mentoring programme providing four one-hour sessions with different WACL members. Standard rate £120, reduced rate £80 for sole traders (excluding VAT and booking fee). Two cohorts annually (spring and autumn). Profits support NABS and WACL Talent Awards.
4. Talent Awards Partnership: WACL partners with NABS to award grants up to £1,500 (inclusive of VAT) to approximately 25 emerging female+ leaders annually to fund training courses. This is funded through membership revenues and event profits rather than direct applicant fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WACL operates a UK-based membership organization for senior female leaders in the advertising, marketing, and communications industry. Its core offerings are an annual membership subscription, a ticketed annual Talent Festival leadership accelerator, and a structured Talent Mentoring Programme pairing emerging female+ talent with senior WACL members. The organization also runs industry-wide gender equality campaigns (50% CEO, timeTo, Flexible First, Male Allyship, #ChangeTheStats) and awards training bursaries to emerging female+ leaders through its Talent Awards programme in partnership with NABS.

Product overview

WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership) is a membership organisation for senior female leaders in the advertising, marketing, and communications industries, founded in 1923. Its core offering is a portfolio of talent development and campaigning initiatives structured around three pillars: Support (peer networking and emotional support for members), Inspire (Talent Festival, Talent Awards, Talent Mentoring Programme, and Talent Sessions to support emerging female leaders), and Campaign (50% CEO Campaign, Male Allyship Initiative, timeTo, Flexible First, #ChangeTheStats, and RepresentMe). The organisation does not sell a technology product but rather provides access to leadership development programmes, networking events, mentoring, training bursaries, and evidence-led campaigns to accelerate gender equality in the industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WACL Membership Annual membership subscription for senior female leaders in UK advertising, marketing, and communications. Members are predominantly C-suite leaders, founders, or most senior marketers within client organisations, agencies, media owners, and trade bodies. Annual subscription ranges approximately £630-950. Members commit to 'The Power of 3': attend events, contribute to talent programmes, and engage in campaigns. Requires endorsement from two existing members with at least two years of tenure.
• Talent Festival Annual one-day leadership accelerator event designed by women for women working across marketing, media, and communications. Features workshops, dynamic speakers, and networking sessions focused on building leadership skills. Held simultaneously in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh with a virtual stream from London. Tickets range from £160-£350 + VAT depending on location, with 10% group discount for 10+ tickets. All profits support NABS and WACL Talent Awards. Sponsors include Lloyds, Dove, and YouTube.
• Talent Mentoring Programme National mentoring initiative involving 100+ WACL members volunteering as mentors to support the next generation of female leaders in media, marketing, advertising, and communications. Participants receive four one-hour sessions with different WACL members, each offering a distinct perspective. Two cohorts per year (spring and autumn). Standard rate £120; reduced rate £80 for sole traders (excluding VAT and booking fee). Profits support NABS and WACL Talent Awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25+ women annually receive training bursaries totalling approximately £25,000+ per year through Talent Awards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and flagship.

• Male Allies (Unilever, PHD, AMV, Neverland, PMG, Thinkbox)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026First cohort of Male Allies launched April 2026 including Zaid Al-Qassab (CEO/Media expert), Chris Barron (VP/Unilever), Chris Dunne (Head of Marketing Thinkbox/CEO Outvertising), Josh Harris (CEO Neverland), Paul Knight (CEO PHD UK), Josh Krichefski (President EMEA PMG), Xavier Rees (Group CEO AMV BBDO). Male allies provide active sponsorship, mentoring of junior male colleagues, and champion WACL values in their businesses.
• Everton Football Club Women's TeamsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partnership for March 5th leadership event at Goodison Park. Cross-sector collaboration to bring WACL's leadership message to new audiences in the North of England as part of Nations and Regions Initiative.
• timeTocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joint initiative between Advertising Association, NABS, and WACL (also backed by ISBA and IPA) launched in 2018 to end sexual harassment in advertising and marketing. Created Code of Conduct (300+ business signatories), training programmes, toolkit, and advertising campaigns. Progress tracked through AA's All In Census.
• NABScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with NABS (National Advertising Benevolent Society), the industry's support charity. WACL channels profits from events and programmes to support NABS, which helps people in advertising and communications with redundancy and mental health issues. Jointly runs timeTo campaign and Talent Awards partnership.
• Advertising AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey industry body partner collaborating on timeTo campaign (ending sexual harassment), inclusion metrics through AA's All In Census, and broader industry initiatives. WACL works closely with AA leadership on campaigning strategy.
• IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary trade institute partner. Backs timeTo campaign. WACL President contributes to IPA committees and initiatives. Collaboration on talent development and industry standards.
• ISBA (Incorporated Society of British Advertisers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey advertiser representative body backing timeTo campaign and broader gender equality initiatives. Supports WACL's 50% CEO campaign and flexible working initiatives.
• Unstereotype AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN-backed industry alliance working to eradicate stereotypes and promote authentic representation in advertising. WACL's 'Work Like the World is Watching' lever aligns with Unstereotype Alliance goals. Data from Unstereotype Alliance informs WACL campaigns.
• BloomsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen's networking and development group in the industry. WACL actively links with newer women's groups including Bloom, Creative Equals and SheSays to extend reach and promote diversity within membership.
• Creative EqualssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry organisation focused on diversity and inclusion in creative departments. WACL collaborates to promote diverse leadership and extend campaign reach to emerging talent.
• SheSayssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal network championing gender equality in marketing and communications. WACL partners to provide Festival of Talent speakers and extend mentoring reach to next generation of female leaders.
• AdwantedsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry media platform. WACL collaborates on thought leadership content and campaign dissemination through Adwanted channels.
• GoogleflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing WACL sponsor. Google is a WACL100 centenary sponsor and ongoing supporter of WACL's gender equality mission. Commitment to enabling potential and progress for women in industry.
• WPP MediaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor WPP sponsorship of WACL initiatives including Festival of Talent 2026. WPP and its agencies actively support WACL campaigns and provide senior female leaders as members.
• GroupMflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWPP's media investment group sponsors WACL. Supports WACL's mission through partnership and provides senior leaders as members including Karen Blackett CBE (Former UK President).
• LloydsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of WACL Talent Festival 2026. Commitment to supporting future female leaders in the industry. Lloyds represents financial sector support for gender equality in advertising.
• DoveflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUnilever brand and sponsor of WACL Talent Festival 2026. Dove's Real Beauty campaign alignment with WACL's gender equality and authentic representation goals. Committed to supporting future female leaders.
• YouTubeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of WACL Talent Festival 2026. Represents technology platform support for WACL's mission. Supports content creation and digital skills development for emerging talent.
• MobstasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLocation intelligence company partnering with WACL. Supports WACL initiatives as part of commitment to diversity and inclusion in the advertising industry.
• DiageoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWACL100 centenary sponsor committed to building an advertising environment where everyone sees themselves represented. Supports WACL celebrations and initiatives.
• TescoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWACL100 centenary sponsor passionate about inclusive workplaces. Supports women to balance work and home life and champions all women in advertising to counter stereotypes.
• WhalarsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal creator commerce company and WACL100 sponsor committed to engaging, inspiring, and activating communities around gender equality.
• Elias Audio BrandingsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerDivision of Universal Production Music and WACL100 sponsor. Partnered to create WACL's audio branding celebrating the organisation's values through sound.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NABS: National Advertising Benevolent Society supporting people in UK advertising with mental health and redundancy issues. Direct peer organisation serving the same UK advertising community; WACL channels event profits to NABS, indicating tightly aligned mission and constituency.
• The Marketing Academy: UK not-for-profit providing leadership development programmes and mentoring for senior marketers. Comparable to WACL in mission (accelerating marketing leadership development) and constituency (senior marketing and advertising professionals), with parallel talent programmes.
• Creative Equals: UK-based organisation focused on diversity and inclusion in creative departments of advertising. Directly comparable to WACL given shared UK advertising focus, overlapping leadership network (Ali Hanan is CEO), and parallel talent/campaigning work for underrepresented groups in creative leadership.
• Bloom: UK women's networking and development group in advertising and media industries. Direct peer to WACL serving an overlapping but typically more junior membership; WACL explicitly lists Bloom as an allied but parallel women's network.

Broad incumbents

• Unstereotype Alliance: UN-backed global industry alliance working to eradicate advertising stereotypes. Comparable as a broader campaign-driven body sharing WACL's industry-influence model and overlapping 'Work Like the World is Watching' theme.
• Advertising Association: UK industry body representing advertisers, agencies, and media. A broad incumbent that WACL partners with on timeTo and All In Census; while broader in scope, it shares WACL's commitment to industry-wide initiatives on inclusion.
• IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising): Primary UK trade body for advertising agencies. A broad industry incumbent whose members overlap with WACL's network; WACL partners with IPA on talent development and timeTo campaign.
• Cannes Lions / See It Be It: Global advertising festival hosting See It Be It talent programme for women in creative. Comparable as a global stage-level talent and gender-equality initiative in advertising; broader in scope but overlapping with WACL Talent Festival/Talent Awards purpose.

Emerging players

• The Drum / Women in Marketing Awards: Industry media running awards programmes for women in marketing. Parallel to WACL's role in celebrating female industry talent and providing recognition platforms; complementary rather than direct membership competitor.
• SheSays: Global network championing gender equality in creative industries, particularly marketing and advertising. Directly comparable as a peer/community organisation focused on accelerating women's careers; WACL itself partners with SheSays to extend reach, confirming overlap in mission and constituency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wacl
• Xx.com/WACL1
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership