Honored for: Creativity in Advertising/Creative Risk-taking

Janet Kestin's first response to the interview questions for this report was, "Is this like the Newlywed Game where you see how well we know each other?" It should have been, because while she and Nancy Vonk joke about sharing a brain, they really do have a rare synergy. And judging by their answers, they'd be a shoo-in for fabulous cash and prizes.

A creative duo since 1991 and co-CCOs of Ogilvy & Mather, Toronto, Vonk and Kestin were among the many creatives behind Dove's popular Campaign for Real Women and are so inseparable they're affectionately known as Jancy. That alter ego has proven a convenient launch pad of one of their shared passions: mentoring. The pair has an advice column on the Canadian creative forum ihaveanidea .org called "Ask Jancy", and they've written a book, Pick Me, about how to break into the creative club.

"Ask Jancy" was also the platform that Vonk chose to air her dismay over sexist comments her friend and mentor Neil French made at a Toronto appearance. That adflap spread through the online world, making Vonk a central figure in the debate over gender inequality in advertising.

Currently, they're working on launching a blog for women in advertising called Been There "so younger women with questions will have virtual mentors".

IN NANCY'S WORDS:
What are your future aspirations?
I hope to be one of the people that helps figure out why women leave our business so soon, and do something to help change that (up until very recently I thought the issue should be left to others. Now it's like, 'What's my excuse for doing squat?') I also aspire to leave this world known as a good mother in my daughter's opinion.
What would you change?
I would abolish researching creative. It's a scandal. And I would abolish anyone doing work for free.
What advice would you give to future generations of women in advertising?
Act confident. It's OK to fake it. Eventually you will actually be a naturally assertive leader if you pretend long enough. Seek mentors and be mentors to other women, once you're that leader. Men, too.

IN JANET'S WORDS:
What do you love about the industry?
I have a short attention span, so luckily it isn't boring. Just when it's in danger of getting old, there are new things to do and learn.
What would you change?
I'd love to see fewer award shows, but a wider definition of what's good. I'd make us more hospitable to new, young talent, to women, to unexpected ideas from surprising places. I'd populate us with people from other businesses who would act as catalysts and bust us out of comfy ways of thinking.
"I got into advertising..."
...without a clue.
What advice would you give to future generations of women in advertising?
Go for it. Challenge it. Change it. If you want a new world, you can't create it from the outside.