Clemenger BBDO and Less Than 10% call out unpaid IWD speeches with ‘The Fee Speech’

International Women’s Day is supposed to be a celebration of women - but for many, it’s yet another day of unpaid labour.

Every year, corporations around the world invite women to speak at IWD events, often without payment, despite the fact that women globally already contribute an estimated US$10.8 trillion in unpaid work each year.

Clemenger BBDO and Less Than 10% F*ck That are taking aim at this irony with a new campaign: The Fee Speech - a free, downloadable presentation designed to educate those who ask women to work for free on International Women’s Day.

To promote the initiative, Clemenger enlisted award-winning journalist and social commentator Jane Caro, who delivers a sharp message to businesses profiting from IWD while asking women to speak for nothing.

“This is a great initiative from Clems, and I was delighted to take part (and get my invoice paid),” Caro said. “I’ve been asked numerous times to speak for free on IWD, and on two occasions, I was even asked to pay for the privilege! Women's work is valuable, which means it should be paid.”

The campaign also includes a poster that doubles as a script for women asked to give an unpaid speech—offering them a ready-made response.

A message that can’t be ignored

Clemenger BBDO creatives Ellie Dunn and Hugh O’Connor said the campaign is a direct response to an issue that resurfaces on LinkedIn every year.

“This is an issue we’ve seen play out for years. We hope The Fee Speech resonates with women who’ve experienced it firsthand, but more importantly, we hope it gets through to the big organisations guilty of doing this. Or, as Jane puts it, they can ‘bugger off.’”

More than a one-day issue

The campaign is supported by Less Than 10% F*ck That, a global community dedicated to championing female creative leadership.

Founder Mikhaila Warburton said: “With ‘Rights, Equality, Empowerment’ as this year’s International Women’s Day theme, The Fee Speech is a powerful reminder to recognise and respect women’s time and talent—not just on IWD, but every single day.”

She added: “It also highlights a much broader issue: ensuring women are truly valued for their contributions in the workplace. This is something I’m deeply passionate about, and a conversation that must continue beyond just one day of recognition.”