The All In Spotlight series captures conversations with Havas colleagues around the world who are working to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to their work.
This week we’re chatting with Sarah Roach, Associate Creative Director at Havas Germany, who shares her unique role as an ex-pat, her commitment to to featuring all types of people on and off camera, and why change starts with recognizing our biases.
How did you find your way to Havas?
In mid-late 2017, I was still in New York exploring options to live and work abroad. As luck would have it, at that time Havas Germany was looking for a native English copywriter with experience on global CPG brands. I moved to Düsseldorf in February 2018 and started at Havas right away.
Tell us a little about your role and what you enjoy most about it?
I’m now an Associate Creative Director, which I enjoy because I’m learning to manage creative talent, which is a rewarding position to hold. My role as an ex-pat at the agency is somewhat unique, and I feel grateful to be able to work in my native language — and share it with others — while being immersed in another culture.
What would you do if you weren’t doing this?
Hmmm, that’s a tough question. I’d love to be on the production side of things, either in advertising or film.
Share a bit about your background/culture? Favorite tradition?
I’m American with a European ancestral background. I guess my favorite American tradition is Halloween. Countries in Europe have adopted the holiday somewhat, but they don’t go all out like we do in the States.
How are you working to make Havas a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace?
I am trying to be open to and actively seek out perspectives from all cultural backgrounds, lest we get stuck in our affluent, white advertising bubble.
What makes for successful leaders and changemakers today?
I think the best leaders today are changemakers — and to be successful we must check our privilege (it’s not easy!) and be truly open to new ideas and new voices.
Why is diversity important to the culture of an agency/the industry?
“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.”
It might be cliché by now, but it’s true. We need to give up-and-coming talent the opportunity to work for leaders that they can relate to, no matter what they look like or where they come from.
What is your hope for the agency of the future? What do you think will get us there?
I hope the agency of the future isn’t led by old white men, but instead wholly represents the diverse set of people, voices, and ideas that make up our target markets.
I think this will naturally happen as new generations take over, but it can be catalyzed by individual and agency-wide efforts to make sure all voices are heard — and hired. And this starts with recognizing our own internal biases that we all have.
How are you committing to change the culture, not only at Havas, but in the industry?
I will continue to push for more diverse representation both on camera and off — and this doesn’t mean just gender or skin color but including people from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds as well.
