KPMG launched an advertising campaign, starring major champion golfers Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis, to highlight its upcoming series of events focused on the advancement, development and empowerment of women in business and the sport of golf. The campaign – which includes two television commercials titled "Glass Ceilings" and "The Usual?" – leads into the inaugural KPMG Women's Leadership Summit and groundbreaking KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June.
"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. "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 two television commercials will air on national network and cable TV starting today. "Glass Ceilings" is a dramatic spot in which Lewis embodies a new generation of women leaders who are breaking glass ceilings, on the golf course and in business. The piece features an appearance from Mickelson. "The Usual?" takes a light-hearted approach, featuring Mickelson and Lewis competing against each other head-to-head on the golf course.
The campaign will be extended across print and digital channels in prominent media outlets leading up to and beyond the 2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
"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 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," said Mickelson. "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.
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.
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.
"Our summit has a critical purpose — to inspire greatness and pave the way for the next generation of women leaders to break glass ceilings," said Veihmeyer. "The KPMG Women's PGA Championship is elevating women's golf by putting the sport's top competitors on the best courses, offering one of the highest purses, and bringing women's golf to new audiences through national network TV exposure."
An advisory council comprised of exemplary leaders from across business, sports, and the media are helping to guide the KPMG Women's Leadership Summit. The charitable initiative – which also will be shaped by the advisory council – will focus on investing in future generations of women leaders by equipping them with leadership skills, networks, and added confidence.
For more information about the advertising campaign, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and KPMG Women's Leadership Summit, please visit: KPMG.com/WomensLeadership.
