While artificial intelligence and other topics were pervasive at the 2024 MFM Annual Conference, the event covered other issues that should also be top of mind for financial leaders. One of those topics is diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), and MFM was fortunate to have Jack Myers, publisher of MediaVillage (which hosts MFM InSites) moderate the DEI Update breakout session, where he was joined by two experts at well-known media properties: Yasmine Osborn, Director, Diversity and Inclusion at Hearst Television; and Fang Xu of A+E Networks to discuss their DEIB roles and offer thoughts on the best ways for media and entertainment companies to move forward with this initiative, even in the face of continual change within the industry.
Both women brought up the importance of measuring current DEIB performance and comparing it to current and future goals. Commented Xu: "People have a perspective on how they think they're doing on something, but it's really hard to say if you're doing well or not without that measurement – you need that consistency across quarters." They both discussed the importance of leadership buy-in on DEIB: "If you rep our brand...you represent every dimension of diversity," said Osborn. "We can't afford, businesswise, to not be aware of how people are different, so we need all hands-on deck." Xu added, "It's okay if the progress is literally one step forward. Don't just celebrate the big progress; celebrate the little progress too."
Watch this brief video to get some solid tips from the team on how to be part of the rising tide that lifts the DEIB ship.
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The opinions expressed here are the author's views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.org/MyersBizNet.