KPMG has launched an advertising campaign featuring championship golfers Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis, centered around the advancement, development and empowerment of women in business and the sport of golf.
The campaign - which includes two television commercials titled
The firm is contending with a gender discrimination lawsuit from some of its female employees, however (see
The first commercial, “Glass Ceilings,” takes a more serious tone, as Lewis embodies a new generation of women leaders who are breaking glass ceilings, on the golf course and in business. While “The Usual?” takes a light-hearted approach, featuring Mickelson and Lewis competing against each other head-to-head on the golf course.
The ads mark the first time a male golfer has taken such a prominent role in promoting a women’s professional golf tournament.
“I’ve been talking with KPMG about their plans to elevate women in business and golf since they first had the idea to sponsor a major on the LPGA Tour, and I believe what KPMG is doing is really going to make a positive, long-term impact,” Mickelson said in a statement. “When I was asked to be a part of these TV commercials along with Stacy, I saw it as a great opportunity. Her game is impressive, we had a lot of fun on the shoot, and I think the commercials turned out great and send a powerful message.”
As part of the advertising launch, KPMG also kicked off a #breakglassceilings campaign on social media. Women and men are encouraged to share their best career advice, tips, and words of inspiration for aspiring leaders on Twitter and other social media channels.
“Our campaign is about inspiring and engaging people about the importance of advancing and empowering women in the workforce and providing them with opportunities to move forward in their careers,” said John Veihmeyer, KPMG’s global chairman and chairman and CEO in the U.S., in a statement. “We’re extraordinarily proud to have Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis, two of the most highly-respected and accomplished athletes in the world, bringing these messages to the marketplace with KPMG.”
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship—created in conjunction with the PGA of America and LPGA will bring together a world-class, annual major golf championship with a women’s leadership summit and an ongoing charitable initiative. The events will take place June 9-14, 2015 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York. The Championship will offer a $3.5 million purse, among the highest in women’s golf, and be broadcast on NBC and Golf Channel.
“I’m proud to be a part of this remarkable opportunity to elevate and empower women, not only in golf but in business and many other areas, and inspire them to break through barriers,” said Lewis. “I am grateful for KPMG’s commitment to women’s leadership and what they are doing with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and for Phil lending his support to our initiatives and being such a great sport.”
The KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, hosted on-site during the week of the Championship, will bring together today’s most accomplished women across business, politics, sports, and the media to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
