Upon the spinoff of Fox Corp. by 21st Century Fox in March, Brace got a promotion and was off and running. In October she announced the launch of the new OpenAP Market, which offers premium video advertising inventory and audience-based buying across the largest collection of digital and linear TV programming. “We need to not only put an emphasis on women, but on diverse women,” Brace says. “Cultural diversity is as important as gender diversity in advertising and media specifically.
How can the industry do a better job of recruiting women and ensuring they have a path to senior positions?
I think we need to not only put an emphasis on women, but on diverse women. I think cultural diversity is as important as gender diversity in advertising and media specifically. We need to reach people at a younger age and seed interest in this field so there is an awareness in high school and going in to college so we have the ability to increase the pool from which we can recruit, develop and eventually promote to senior positions.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Learn to speak a foreign language and keep up the piano lessons!! In all seriousness, my 13-year-old self (thanks to my parents) was confident, courageous and curious and I would say—keep it up, as things are going to get tougher!!
Which current shows best reflect the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why?
So many great roles for women right now across the landscape, but I’ll share my Fox favorites for now. We have a strong history of amazing females that have influenced pop culture some of my favorites were the “Mindy Project,” which was a real, relatable character that I loved! Also, a colleague recently just told me about the “Scully Effect,” which research discovered a phenomenon that saw an influx of women pursuing STEM careers thanks to the positive representation of Agency Scully in the “X-Files” on Fox. Love that! Also, digging Angela Bassett on “9-1-1” right now!
