Outvertising has appointed Thinkbox’s head of marketing, Chris Dunne as its new joint-CEO, working in partnership with Marty Davies. He replaces the outgoing Lucy McKillop.
For the past 18 months Dunne had worked as the advocacy group’s events co-director, which included responsibility for numerous internal and external events including the second edition of Outvertising Live held in November.
In his new role, Dunne will now be tasked with leading the group’s mission to help organisations better understand, protect and nurture LGBTQIA+ talent, whilst ensuring more authentic representation of the community across the wider industry.
“Outvertising is a profound force for good in the advertising industry. I’m so proud to be taking up this role to help build on the impressive momentum that has already been set by Marty and our remarkable leadership and volunteer team,” Dunne said.
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“I’m looking forward to working with all sides of our industry, to celebrate brilliant and effective LGBTQIA+ inclusive campaigns. And, at a time when the queer community is facing a rise in discrimination and hate crime, to inspire brands and agencies to produce more of this type of work more often.”
Dunne will combine his role at Thinkbox, the marketing trade body for TV advertising in the UK, alongside his new position at Outvertising. He brings extensive industry experience to the group, having variously worked at Global, Guardian Media Group and DMG Media over the last 20 years.
Davies added: “Outvertising’s reach and influence in UK adland continues to grow and so does the ambition of the whole volunteer team. But we still have much work to do to keep issues important to us high on the agenda in the boardroom – especially in an election year where trans+ people are being used as a distraction by politicians.
“Ad land must address a funding model which incentivises sensationalised and disinformative content about our community, and we must reestablish the commercial case for representation in creative work and protect the wellbeing of our queer talent. All this takes time, energy and skill to advocate for so I could not think of a more impressive team to make it happen.”
