Nishma Patel Robb, sr. director brand & reputation marketing at Google, has taken over as president of Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership (WACL), for the second half of the organization’s centenary year. The WACL is working to accelerate gender equality in the advertising and communications industry
Robb has worked hand-in-hand as VP with Rania Robinson, chief executive of Quiet Storm, since Robinson took on the WACL presidency in July 2022.
Taking the helm of the oldest and most influential women’s club, possibly in the world, Robb is passionate not only about WACL’s campaigning work and pursuit of gender equality but also the community it provides to members, which includes leaders from across the industry.
Robb’s top priority is to continue building momentum behind WACL’s 50% CEO campaign, which is pushing to have half of the chief executive roles in the industry filled by women by 2045. Currently, only 30% of CEO roles in advertising and communications businesses are held by women. The campaign kicked off earlier this year with the launch of the 50% CEO Playbook.
To support that goal, Robb will also focus on inclusivity across several different areas. These include spotlighting the vital importance of modern leadership and allyship, both receiving it and demonstrating it, with a particular focus on male colleagues and leaders, but also anyone of difference.
A second area of focus will be to develop the #RepresentMe campaign working with young and mid-life women to understand how they want to be represented in media, communications and advertising, as well as helping to build a robust pipeline of confident and “seen” women, whether they are new starters or returners.
Finally, Robb is committed to delivering a menopause policy for all businesses to ensure support and understanding for women through this stage of their lives and ensure they are supported for the next progression in their careers.
Joining WACL as VP is Karen Stacey, CEO of DCM (Digital Cinema Media).
Robb joined Google in 2014 and has shaped many of its most loved programs, events and campaigns in the U.K. She joined Google from Dentsu where she held the role of chief client and marketing officer for iProspect. Before her agency career, she had held senior client and media owner roles.
Aside from her day job, Robb lends her time to mentoring young talent and supporting groups such as MEFA (MediaForAll), BRiM and Creative Equals. She is also proud to be a Fellow of the Marketing Society and the IPA.
Robb said, “It is a privilege to take on the role of chair in WACL’s 100th year, and I am proud to lead it into its next century. There has never been a more exciting time for the industry and women, and while we have witnessed significant progress over the past 100 years, there is still so much to do. WACL members are the very best and most senior women in our industry, and I believe there is no better group of women to make change and lead the way for future generations.
Robinson added, “Nishma is the perfect leader to advance our modernization of WACL. She has shown through her personal values, proven track record and hugely impressive achievements in her role at Google that she perfectly aligns with the WACL mission. Nishma will usher in an inspiring new era for WACL as it enters its second century.”
