diversity in talent committee

The lack of diversity remains a difficult problem in the Advertising industry. The DIT Committee works to create meaningful change + to facilitate opportunities for talent from underrepresented groups including from the BIPOC, Women, Latinx + LGBTQ+ communities.

The DIT Committee strives to develop + prepare the next generation of talent behind the camera + to raise awareness of opportunities + the various roles available within the industry.

Committee Chair: Dani Jackson-Smith - The Cre8tors
Committee Members Include: Sonia Blum - Sonia Reps & Mary Saxon - Saxon + Partners Presents, Ally Khajenouri - Sonia Reps, Sarah Gitersonke - SG+ Partners

3rd Annual Unsigned Diverse Directors Showcase

Are you an unsigned or independent diverse director ready to elevate your craft? Here's your chance to shine! Submit your best ad work for the opportunity to secure commercial representation and connect with top advertising professionals.

Submission Criteria:

• Directors from diverse backgrounds, including women, AAPI, Black, BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and directors with disabilities, are encouraged to submit.

• Up to three pieces of content may be submitted.

• The total running time of all content submitted must not exceed 5 minutes.

• Submitted content may include advertising, branded content, trailers, or shorts. *** Montages will not be accepted. 

• *** Agency producers look for work within :06, :15, :30, :60 run times, keep this in mind when selecting which work to submit

Benefits for Winning Directors:

• Five directors will be carefully selected by our diverse judging committee to have their work spotlighted virtually for the 3rd Annual Unsigned Diverse Directors Showcase.  Production Company Executive Producers and Independent Reps who are current members of AIR will attend the showcase.

• The five directors will receive exposure and recognition within the advertising industry.

• Each of the five directors will receive an online masterclass and bonus course, courtesy of Jordan Brady of True Gentleman and Commercial Directing Film School.

Last year's showcase received over 65 submissions and attracted 100+ executive producers and industry enthusiasts.

For any questions, please email diversityintalent@airemail.org