Being Out Now
Inclusion & diversity, DEI, Belonging —whatever name you prefer to call it — is part of a decades-long trend towards greater respect and equality.
Inclusion is becoming more important as cultures globally become increasingly diverse; and members of society, including corporations, reflect that reality.
Our team
Our founder
Ian Johnson, Principal Consultant of Out Now has more than three decades’ experience in delivering award-winning market leadership in LGBT+ insights, inclusion and global business strategies.
After graduating from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia in 1988 with degrees in Law (LLB) and Commerce (BCom (marketing)) Ian Johnson worked with Citibank and two leading law firms in Australia.
Following the delivery of successful outcomes for project-based marketing clients, Ian established Significant Others in Sydney in 1992.
Ian Johnson has established an unrivalled level of experience in developing effective gay and lesbian marketing approaches that work. He set up what is now the world’s longest established gay marketing program.
Ian’s experience sees him in high demand for client consultation and speaking engagements.
Leading-edge work includes ground-breaking tourism campaigns, research studies and communications initiatives aimed at LGBT people for leading organisations such as visitBerlin, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclaycard, German National Tourist Office, VisitMexico and VisitBritain.
Michael Wilke – Senior Consultant North America
Michael Wilke is Global Advertising Specialist at Out Now. Based in New York City, he began charting the emergence of gay marketing and advertising as a journalist in 1992. Wilke founded Commercial Closet Association in 2001 to promote advertising that respects diversity, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation. In 2012, Commercial Closet became AdRespect.
Michael has guided dozens of Fortune 500 companies and advertising agencies. His work is cited by college textbooks, news agencies, and he is credited with coining the popular term “gay vague.” He has written for The New York Times, Advertising Age, and Adweek, He has worked for NBC, CBS, and appeared on CNN and BBC.
Susann Jerry – Cross-Platform Communications Specialist
Susann works in partnership with businesses, organisations and entrepreneurs to deliver high impact strategic communications campaigns. Her work is creative, smart, agenda setting and designed to deliver a clear return on investment.
Susann has worked in the area of human rights, equality and diversity for the past 10 years, developing content led campaigns to deliver transformational change. Her specialisms encompass technology, media, advertising and marketing, retail, professional services, research, training and education, entertainment, music, leisure, travel and tourism, non government organisations and start ups. She is a Director of the London Coaching Foundation, a grassroots sports charity working on behalf of young people regardless of their background or ability.
Lotte Jeffs – Inclusion Specialist
A renowned author, award-winning magazine writer, podcaster, commercial writer / creative, and parent, Lotte has been involved with Out Now’s work on different projects across many years.
Responsible for multiple LGBT+ focused creative campaigns for leading clients — such as German National Tourist Office and Stockholm Visitors Board — Lotte is based in London, UK and has demonstrated their immense creative talents for clients time and again.
Andres Reyes – Latin America Strategic Consultant
The vibrant Latin America region is home to millions of LGBT+ people, going about their daily lives as employees, family members and customers.
Andres has worked with Out Now as a strategic consultant for more than a decade.
Located in Mexico’s Guadalajara region, his work includes working on Spanish language projects with Out Now across multiple countries globally.
Hanna Muoniovaara – Nordic Strategic Consultant
The Nordic region is geographically part of Europe and yet its nations present a unique profile and set of opportunities which Hanna is ideally positioned to help clients with.
Based in Helsinki, Hanna brings extensive experience and knowledge of communications, research and inclusion specifically relating to people living in the Nordic region.
Sven Palys – Japan Strategic Consultant
Sven is an international consultant who has lived in Japan for years.
He is an expert on cultural matters specific to Japan’s unique culture and language and is a valuable addition to the Out Now team available to help our clients better connect with a diverse audience.
Markus Winter – Japan Strategic Consultant
Situated in Japan, Markus brings unique insights to his role.
His expertise allows him to view projects through a number of perspectives, including Japanese inclusion elements as well as the intersection between various cultural aspects, such as the evolving opportunities among the youth culture and market.
Out Now is best in the world at what we do and since our inception we have remained committed to continuous improvement. Many things in life are uncertain but one thing I know, from over three decades’ of practical experience, is that this time next year Out Now’s offering and results will be even better. We will always continue to strive and define ‘world’s best’ for inclusion and belonging.
– Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Out Now