The Dublin offices of Ogilvy & Mather will be transformed today, Friday January 5th, as it celebrates the second annual Illuminate Herstory light festival. From 5pm today, the Georgian era building on Ely Place, Dublin 2, will display the projected images of six inspirational women, chosen by Ogilvy, Wilson Hartnell and Kantar Millward Brown employees. In addition to the Dublin office, Ogilvy & Mather in New York will also be lighting up its building.
The women who will have their images projected on to Ogilvy & Mather’s Dublin office include Mary Robinson, former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Joy Neville, former Irish Rugby international player and the first woman to referee a men’s professional rugby match; Johanne Powell, full time carer for her disabled daughter; Rena Buckley, Cork GAA star and winner of a record 18 All-Ireland medals; Tina Roche, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland, one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the country and Sally O Neill, Human rights advocate and Trocaire overseas veteran for 37 years.
Illuminate Herstory was founded in 2017 by Melanie Lynch, an award-winning creative and social entrepreneur with a passion for justice, equality and storytelling.
Coinciding with the traditional Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas) festival on December 6th, Illuminate Herstory champions women and girls, celebrating the impact they have made on Irish culture and society and their role in shaping the future. Illuminate Herstory encourages museums, libraries, theatres, offices and homes to light-up the exterior of their buildings with images of heralded and unheralded women and girls.
According to Diane Tangney, chief strategy officer with Ogilvy said: “Our work with Project Eve, which explores the female psyche in Ireland, calls on the Marketing Industry to celebrate all kinds of women and equality. Herstory is an opportunity for us to lead by example, to use our building to celebrate amazing women who have achieved so much and in doing so, paved the way for others.”
Maureen Van Wijk, Managing Director of Kantar Millward Brown, adds: “Project Eve started a conversation about how organisations engage and talk to women. Reinforcing stereo-types, or portraying women in a less than flattering light is harmful to progress and will not be tolerated by consumers. They are looking to engage with brands and organisations that take their societal duty of care seriously. That is why we are proud to take part in the fantastic Herstory initiative.”
Melanie Lynch, founder of Illuminate Herstory, said, “Herstory is thrilled to partner with Ogilvy & Mather for the Illuminate Herstory Light Festival 2018. Herstory’s objective is to create a new global light festival celebrating women and equality, illuminating the world when the Christmas lights are switched off on the first weekend of January every year. From Russia to New York, the interest and engagement was strong and will grow year on year. On the eve of Nollaig na mBan 2018, Ogilvy will illuminate their historic Irish HQ on Ely Place in the capital with women selected by staff in a campaign that has stirred great intrigue amongst colleagues.”
