3 Agency Interns Have a Plan to Get More Women Into Google's Image Results for 'CEO'

And they need your help

Be among trailblazing marketing pros at Brandweek this September 23–26 in Phoenix, Arizona. Experience incredible networking, insightful sessions and a boost of inspiration at ADWEEK’s ultimate brand event. Register by May 13 to save 35%.

Search for "CEO" on Google Images, and you'll find only a handful of the first 100 results include female faces. Of those, one is a stock photo and another is … CEO Barbie.

A 2015 study by CNNMoney found that 14.2 percent of leadership positions in the S&P 500 are held by women, and according to nonprofit Catalyst, only 4 percent of top companies are currently led by female chief executives.

To help change Google's own male-dominated portrayal of CEOs, three aspiring agency professionals working their way through BBH's internship program, The Barn, want to change that fact with the help of some strategic SEO magic.

Copywriter Brandon Holliday tells AdFreak, "The inspiration behind the project started with the Three Black Teenagers controversy: a viral video where a Vine user Google Image searched 'Three Black Teenagers' to find mugshots and then Googled 'Three White Teenagers' to find happy stock photos."

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in