Outvertising, an independent voice for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and representation within the ad industry, has replaced its joint CEO.
After four years, founder Mark Runacus MBE has stepped down as joint chief executive officer and will be replaced by the current co-director of advocacy and activism, Marty Davies.
Runacus has been described as the driving force in the group’s efforts to make advertising and marketing completely LGBTQIA+ inclusive. He has been responsible for steering the organisation through the COVID pandemic, working with the Advertising Association and the IPA to make the All In Action Plan LGBTQIA+ inclusive, and co-hosting this year’s Outvertising Live alongside Joint-CEO Lucy McKillop.
The former CEO has also been praised for addressing hundreds of agency and brand-side professionals through initiatives like the Outvertising Roadshow and mentorship partnerships with NABS, the industry’s charity for advertising and the media industry’s wellbeing charity.
“Outvertising is bigger and stronger than ever. And it needs to be. Because LGBTQIA+ prejudice still exists in adland,” Runacus said.
“Sadly, I continue to hear stories of unacceptable behaviour, whether it’s that awful “office banter” or just downright exclusion. The AllIn survey showed clearly that the Queer community doesn’t always feel welcomed in our creative workplaces. There’s still much work to be done.”
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In their new role, Marty Davies will drive for change in the queer community. On LinkedIn they admitted that the “fire” that Runacus started “really is a precious thing to be made caretaker of.”
“It would be silly if I wasn’t more than a little nervous and intimidated by the challenge, especially stepping into Mark Runacus’s big shoes,” Davies added.
“I’m lucky, as many of us are, to have Mark as a great friend and mentor.
“Over the last two years, I’ve been endlessly impressed by the passion, talent and determination to create change in our industry from every Outvertising volunteer. And it’s that energy that makes me very excited and hopeful about the changes we’ll see over the coming years, accelerated along by our supportive partners, as we all continue to drive change for our queer community.”
