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At the recent 2024 European Diversity Awards (EDA), Zsófia Komáromi, chief talent officer of Publicis Groupe Hungary and talent transformation partner for Publicis Groupe CEE, has been awarded the 'HR Diversity Champion of the Year' title.

Publicis Groupe Hungary was also named a finalist in the 'Company of the Year' category at this prestigious event in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) which underscores the fact that a commitment to diversity and inclusion not only reflects social responsibility but also creates significant business value.

The European Diversity Awards (EDA), is one of Europe’s most esteemed DEI awards, celebrating outstanding leaders, companies, and initiatives in the field of diversity since 2010. Presented earlier this month in London, the awards have become a flagship event on the continent, annually highlighting solutions that drive measurable progress in equality and inclusion.

In recent years, under Zsófia Komáromi’s leadership, Publicis Groupe Hungary has launched numerous pioneering initiatives to strengthen an inclusive corporate culture. A program spearheaded under her guidance in Hungary include Menopause and Menstruation Program, addressing the specific needs of female employees. She was also instrumental in the successful localisation of Publicis Groupe’s global 'Working with Cancer' initiative, which supports employees and their families coping with severe illnesses. The company has also actively supported LGBTQ+ initiatives (such as pro bono backing of the 'Family is Family' campaign and regular involvement in Pride events), partnered with WeAreOpen, and established an Employee Resource Group (ERG) to support grassroots diversity efforts. As a result of these efforts - enabled not only by the 10-member HR team but by the entire company - Publicis Groupe Hungary's Budapest office now boasts employees from nearly 30 countries and spans four generations. Additionally, the company is among the most gender-diverse in its industry, with women holding 55% of leadership positions.

“The global tensions we experience today significantly impact all our lives. In such times, it is ever more important to embrace each other with acceptance and to build an inclusive corporate culture where we make no distinctions among our colleagues based on their origin, sexual orientation, age, or gender. We actively represent this value externally as well. That’s why we are immensely proud of Zsófi’s award and our company’s finalist position, as these affirm that our collective efforts are heading in the right direction. Building on these achievements, we are committed to further advancing our work and challenging the norms that stand in the way of creating a fully inclusive culture,” said Veronika Borbás, chief talent officer, Publicis Groupe Central and Eastern Europe.

“Advocating for DEI is part of our DNA - both locally and internationally. At the same time, it’s crucial to recognise that diversity plays a key role not only in fostering workplace culture and fulfilling social missions but also in achieving business success. This shared value is a hallmark of our colleagues and clients alike. While this perspective applies across our organisation, I want to particularly acknowledge the HR team’s pivotal role in cultural development and two senior colleagues: Dávid Madarász, the company’s DEI leader, and Petra Varga, responsible for inclusive recruitment strategies. Both have worked tirelessly to make us one of the most diverse and inclusive companies in Hungary. I was delighted that they accepted the award on my behalf,” said Zsófia Komáromi.

Adding to this, Zsuzsa Polgár, chief business officer of Publicis Groupe Hungary, remarked, “With nearly two decades of professional experience, I can confidently say that our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just a core value but also a clear competitive advantage for our clients. A diverse team brings a broader, more creative perspective, fostering innovation. This enables us to create campaigns and strategies that engage and captivate various target audiences in unique, exciting, and unprecedented ways, thereby strengthening our clients’ market positions.”

The award from the EDA complements Publicis Groupe Hungary’s efforts, which earlier this October earned the HR Excellence Grand Prize in the agency category at the HRKOMM Awards. These accolades reflect Publicis Groupe’s motto: 'Viva la différence!', a celebration of diversity and inclusion.