WPP agencies accelerate ‘Health on Her Terms’ initiative to improve representation of women’s health in advertising and media

WPP agencies accelerate ‘Health on Her Terms’ initiative to improve representation of women’s health in advertising and media

NEW YORK – May 16, 2023 – To coincide with National Women’s Health Week, Health@WPP, WPP’s health community serving clients across the healthcare sector, is expanding its commitment to better reflect women’s health issues and real-life experiences in marketing.    

WPP’s Health on Her Terms report published last year examined the depictions of women and their health issues in media and communications, and the positive potential role marketers and their partners can play in improving how women are represented. The next phase of the initiative involves a commitment by WPP health leaders to women – published across women’s media outlets as part of a partnership with SHE Media, the US female and diverse media group – to showcase more realistic lived experiences and improve representation of women’s health in advertising and media. 

In addition, Health@WPP is asking women to contribute to further research on the effectiveness of healthcare marketing. Women will be encouraged to have their voices heard by participating in a survey that asks about their own journeys and experiences. The survey will be utilized alongside research and contributions from women at WPP health agencies to guide future healthcare communications. 

This comes as new research from CMI Media Group – building on work started by Grey Health & Wellness and Mindshare in November 2022 – reveals the need for more personalized healthcare communications and support for women, particularly those who are BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+. CMI Media Group’s research findings include: 

• One in four LGBTQ+ and BIPOC women want messaging that is customized to their community such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity. (Source – CMI Media Group Media Vitals 2023)
• Harvard Health, 70% of people with chronic pain are women, yet 80% of chronic pain studies are conducted on men, not women
• While the majority of the US population is female, fewer than half of healthcare resources including research and clinical trials are dedicated to women. 

“Women’s health is the new women’s movement. As marketers we can help drive better health outcomes by communicating in more authentic and more effective ways that resonate with women,” said Wendy Lund, Chief Client Officer of Health at WPP. “Our collective of health agencies have committed to holding up that proverbial mirror and asking ourselves how we can do more for women to remove stigma and make it easier for them to seek out healthcare and advice.”  

“Research on women’s health is limited, services are difficult to access and the gender roles we’ve crafted in the US focus on women’s bodies solely as caregivers and baby-making machines,” said Samantha Skey, CEO of SHE Media. “Since SHE Media’s founding, we have been amplifying the voices of ALL women, with emphasis on personal health stories. We’re proud to work with Health@WPP to amplify this important message.”  

“We know that women wanted to be more thoughtfully and holistically represented by health and wellness brands. Our initial Health on Her Terms research confirmed this and opened the aperture on how we as marketers need to better represent women in our marketing and communications. We need to connect with women based on their motivations and mindset, not outdated historical demographic segmentation”, said Cassandra Sinclair, President Grey Health & Wellness.  

“As leaders in healthcare, we have a responsibility to enable health information equity, diversity and inclusion for women and by women worldwide – whether in the workplace, community, government or industry. Our investments, actions, contributions, and support are paramount to women’s health and overall advancements. It’s also our chance to celebrate the needs and care of extraordinary women across the globe and within WPP and let them know that we see and hear them,” said Dr. Susan Dorfman, President & CEO, CMI Media Group. 

The CMI Media Group research will be released this month. This research will be discussed at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity at WPP Beach on June 19 during a live panel. 

About WPP  

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.  

About CMI Media Group  

CMI Media Group, a WPP company (NYSE: WPP, http://www.wpp.com), is a full-service media agency focused solely on health, wellness, and pharmaceutical marketing. CMI Media Group’s core offerings include Audience Strategy, Planning, Development, and Insights; Data and Analytics; Buying and Investment; and Direct Response and Customer Experience. As the leading media resource for the world’s top healthcare companies, CMI Media Group brings together leading technology, data, and talent to deliver seamless capabilities for clients.  CMI Media Group has been recognized as a leader in DE&I, talent retention and employee development as well as one of the industry’s best places to work. 

About SHE Media 

SHE Media is a top 5 lifestyle media company reaching 88 million monthly visitors. SHE Media focuses on the power of content in moving the culture forward through the celebration of passion and purpose. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world. SHE Media’s rich editorial, culled from thousands of diverse sources, ranges from food and family to health, career, and entertainment. Composed of a community of creators and hand-picked publishers within the SHE Media Collective and flagship brands, SheKnows, BlogHer, STYLECASTER and Soaps, SHE Media produces digital and live media content that connects and inspires millions. Part of Penske Media Corporation (PMC), SHE Media is based in New York, with offices in Los Angeles. 

Source: ComScore, May 2022  

About Grey Health & Wellness 

Grey Health & Wellness is one of WPP’s fastest growing health companies. Under the banner of “Grey Famously Effective Since 1917” the creative agency—backed by unparalleled scientific insight and expression—transcends standalone healthcare agencies and operates as an accountable business unit of Grey. Grey is proud to be part of AKQA Group, an international family of autonomous agencies with a shared mission, values and an independent mindset to nurture breakthrough work on behalf of the clients and audiences we collectively serve including a blue-chip roster of many of the world’s best-known companies: Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Haleon, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, HSBC, MassMutual, Nestlé, Google, Volvo, and Applebee’s. In recent years, Grey has been named ADWEEK’S “Global Agency of the Year” twice; ADVERTISING AGE’s “Agency of the Year” and CAMPAIGN magazine’s “Global Network of the Year” in recognition of its creative and business performance (www.grey.com). 

Source: CMI Media Group