Why Is Everyone Talking About Women In SPAM?

We've been seeing women take up space everywhere—and as they should. From women in STEM to women in sports to women in other traditionally male-dominated fields, there's been a steady shift in how industries are shaped and defined. And now, as we scroll through LinkedIn and industry conversations, a new phrase has started to make rounds: Women in SPAM.

SPAM is an acronym for Social Media, PR, Advertising, and Marketing. Much like "women in STEM," it has become a way to recognize and highlight women working across these communication-driven and media-related industries. It doesn't just reflect where they work, but also shows the skills they bring to the table. 

Usually, the roles in these fields are responsible for shaping how a brand is seen, understood, and experienced by the public. This includes creating content, managing communication strategies, handling public perception, running campaigns, and making sure everything a brand puts out feels consistent and intentional. At the center of it are women who are not just participating in these industries, but actively shaping them—building narratives, leading campaigns, managing reputations, and influencing how brands show up in the world.

Honestly, it's more than just an acronym. It reflects a deeper reality of skills, roles, and leadership spaces that women are capable of occupying in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 59% of public relations management roles are held by women. The same report found that women occupy about 63% of PR specialist positions.

In an interview with The Atlantic, Shannon Stubo, vice president of corporate communications at LinkedIn, noted that working in this field is not as glamorous as it may seem. It involves playing a critical role in shaping company strategy, influence, and reputation—work that demands strong communication, relationship-building, and decision-making—all skills in which most women excel. 

In many ways, this marks a clear win for women, especially given how long men dominated the workforce and how access to decision-making roles was limited and gendered.

But recognition is only part of the story. While women make up a large share of the PR industry, gaps in leadership remain. A report from The Global Women in PR Annual Index 2024 found that 61% of PR boardrooms are still male-dominated. In the same research, they reported that 52% of PR professionals feel their workplace gender split is unfair, and 91% believe more needs to be done to ensure women move into leadership roles.

This reality shows that while progress is real, there is still a long way to go before equality is fully reflected at every level of the industry.