We had a lot of conversation and debate recently about Nils Leonard's article in Ad Week deliberately controversial or toe curlingly patronising or just downright sexist ?

If you haven't read it here are some interesting 'highlights':

She is a thief of new technologies.
A murderer of trade unions and waiting lines.
A radiator of energy and believer in the genius of 3 a.m. tequila, when it all matters a little too much.

Her best friend might be a planner.
Her lover might be a producer.

And like all star players, she will always be on loan. Never yours.

One day, the perfect modern creative will have enough of us.
Because ultimately she will want to create something sacred for herself.
And she will go and do it.
And we will love her for it.

Of course this set the girls going

Micheala Macintyre:

I appreciate the sentiment and understand this was written with good intentions, but I find it hugely patronising and insulting. "Her lover might be a planner". Fudge off. What has that got to do with it?!

This isn't the dream "creative of the future". There are already wonderful creative women in the industry, just not enough of them. And they aren't all whispily floating through agencies questioning how they are put together because they just can't get their pretty little heads round it all.

Don't get me started on his use of "This GIRL gets none of us are as smart as all of us". Seriously? In a piece where he is trying to champion women in creativity he chose to use "girl"? 

"She won't allow pay grade to (affect her from doing good work)" - what the fudge is this suggesting?!?!

No, Nils. Nil pointe from Kays.

Georgia Zervudachi:

Like what it is supposed to be saying, but I think good points are lost in the wankery around it – vague and paternalistic, although I suppose its a subject that is always going to raise heckles. Could have been written in the 80s. Or 1919. Or the 1790s. 

It's more like what this person feels like the work force needs (Why just limit it to creatives? Is it just women who are going to do this?), and is almost surprised there is a push for it coming from the female quarter, as gals get a bigger voice in the workplace. Thanks, internet and YAY DISRUPTION. 

Hard work and intelligence (book, emotional, street smarts) in all spheres are increasingly important as everyone has similar qualifications, as well as population growth and the unfashionable-ness of nepotism. and that's why it's so darn competitive, because all of these types of intelligence and understandings and insights need to be proved and I think people in general are appreciating ALL THAT more.