Talent Champion – Carla Kelly

Talent Champion Spotlight

2022 AEF Talent Champion - Carla Kelly

Carla Kelly
SVP, Client Partnerships, Hispanic Multicultural – Advertising Sales & Partnerships
NBCUniversal

Carla serves as SVP, Client Partnerships, Hispanic & Multicultural at NBCUniversal in the company’s Advertising Sales & Partnerships division. In this role, Carla leads the Hispanic and Multicultural client advocacy team, playing an integral part in the development of NBCUniversal’s multicultural sales strategy.

Before stepping into the role of Senior Vice President, Carla was the Vice President of Client Advocacy within the Hispanic vertical at NBCU Advertising Sales & Partnerships. As VP, she helped strengthen NBCU’s position as a thought leader in the Hispanic and Multicultural markets, with an emphasis on the growth and development of the CPG and Pharma categories. Carla is an active participant in NBCUniversal’s and the larger industry’s Hispanic and multicultural initiatives and currently serves on the NBCU Ad Sales Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council.

 

What prompted you to get involved with the AEF?

America is transforming, our nation is becoming more diverse with a multicultural majority on the horizon. The ability for media to increase representation in front of and behind the camera is critical. Our efforts to help educate and arm diverse and inclusive talent with tools to be successful in the marketing and advertising industry is important work, beneficial to our company and society.

Why are you passionate about the future of the industry?

At NBCU we create content for all people. Audiences around the world see and share what we produce, making us leaders in shaping culture.

We have the responsibility to evolve as the world transforms, to lead with authenticity, and to ensure people of all ethnicities, gender identities, and backgrounds have platforms to be heard and seen.

And it’s an opportunity to create the best future for our businesses and our consumers.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Be the Change you Want to See in the World – Gandhi

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek – Barack Obama

In essence…you can affect change, inspire others and create the impact that you desire…don’t look around and wait for anyone to give you permission.

Why do you feel it is so important to inspire the next generation of diverse talent?

Without a doubt the next generation of diverse and inclusive talent provides a strategic advantage for any brand, agency or media company.

Diversity of perspectives from diverse and inclusive populations are proven to generate better business outcomes, which help future proof the success of any business.

Our ability to educate, inspire and champion diverse talent, enables a more robust pipeline that will help benefit the industry.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love a good challenge and working in the multicultural space is challenging yet extremely rewarding.

Our NBCU Ad Sales – Client Advocacy Team, focuses on diverse and inclusive consumers/audiences and championing that brands must embrace and prioritize these consumers for brand growth.

We are helping educate and bring awareness to the value of diverse & inclusive audiences and showcasing how to authentically engage.

We are leading with Cultural-1st orientation, guiding the work we do with brands, clients and agencies

We are partnering with brands/agency/clients to drive Thought Leadership and solve for issues facing diverse and inclusive consumers/audiences

We are developing the next generation of talent and championing professional development

We are helping to create meaningful change and positively impacting the communities in which we live and work.

All these elements comprise why I love the challenge of the work we do and find it so incredibly rewarding.

What advice would you give to students as they consider entering the industry?

Same advice that was given to me.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi

"Our future marketing and advertising leaders are not just looking for a job, they are looking for a meaningful career that will make a positive impact on society."
— Gord McLean, President and CEO at ANA Educational Foundation