“Take that risk,” Deidra Bodkin from Empower Media

Meet Deidra Bodkin, EVP, Media Strategy at Empower Media, where she brings over 20 years of experience driving growth and operational efficiency. Her skills in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies allow her to seamlessly blend brand elevation, demand generation, and digital transformation. Deidra’s data-driven approach and strategic insights have transformed her leadership mindset. She is well known for collaborating with prominent names in the industry, pushing the boundaries for marketing innovation, and delivering measurable business outcomes. 

Her current focus is on brand and demand media, building impactful media partnerships and finding creative ways to engage both consumer and B2B audiences. Deidra leads at the intersection of data and creativity, delivering results that elevate brand visibility, drive business growth, and foster lasting client success.

Deidra joined Deirdre Locksley, Associate Director, Content Marketing, to discuss how believing in yourself is always the right choice, how learning something new gives you opportunities to grow, and the importance of bringing young minds to the table.

Check out the full interview below, then listen to some highlights from the conversation. 

Say yes, and figure it out.

Highlight: “One of the lessons I would give to women coming up in the business now, which is to take that risk, to say yes to the thing that scares you before you're all the way ready in your mind for that next level or that opportunity. And don't be afraid to jump in and figure it out.” - Deidra Bodkin

Learn something new.

Highlight: “I've always been motivated by learning something new, that's kept me interested. That's been why I've stayed on the agency side for basically the core of my career because it gives you the opportunity to shift and learn new things constantly and work on different clients and different accounts, which has always been something that's motivated me.” - Deidra Bodkin

Have opinions.

Highlight: “Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and your thinking, particularly if it's in the service of driving either the business forward, or getting to ideas. The delivery is always key and being as diplomatic as the room may require is important to be able to read the room. Never hold back on stating your opinion or putting forth your recommendation—that's why you're at the table. And I think women sometimes wait to ask for permission, and you don't need permission to provide your expertise.” - Deidra Bodkin

Bring younger generations to the table.

Highlight: “For me, it's about staying curious across the course of your career… That's why I value, so much, the younger people that are in our industry, and that reverse mentoring that can take place. Because, to be fair, there's going to be things that, just based on life experience or other needs of your actual life, you may no longer have the time to be on top of the latest thing in fashion, or music, or pop culture, but the younger audiences that are working with you absolutely are. And making sure that you're bringing them into those conversations and giving them a seat at the table, to me, is not only important for the future of our industry, but also just important for the knowledge that they bring.” - Deidra Bodkin

Help others move forward.

Highlight: “True leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about helping others move forward when the path isn't as clear, and helping people to dig in and figure it out versus knowing everything at once. The other piece, too, is about being the bridge across disciplines. So, if you can connect creative to strategy, or brand to performance, people to purpose—I think that's where the magic starts to happen. And that's where leadership is important. It's not about having all the answers, but almost about being a translator.” - Deidra Bodkin

Deidra’s passions for jumping in feet first and figuring it out have shaped her to become the great leader she is today, encouraging those following in her footsteps to do the same. It’s about believing in yourself and finding ways to help others believe in themselves along the way. If you’re in the mood to hear more inspiration, check out the Pass the Mic podcast. 

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