A moment of truth...1 of 3

As a black man who has been in advertising for over 33 years, I'm delighted to see the industry taken to task for not employing more people of color. There have been previous half-hearted attempts to increase 'diversity' over the years but now that Cyrus Mehri, “one of the nation's top civil-rights attorneys and a man who has been dubbed one of Washington's most feared lawyers,” has turned his attention to the ad industry's woeful diversity record, I suspect dramatic changes are in the wind.

Not because the general market agencies necessarily embrace it (the smarter ones long ago have done so); but because they will have no choice. “The ad industry doesn’t just have a diversity problem," Mehri said. It is guilty of “pervasive racial discrimination” that not only ‘under hires’ and segregates African Americans but pays them 80 cents for every dollar it pays comparable white employees.”

Some agencies and holding companies have partnered with advertising schools like Miami Ad School, the Portfolio Center, VCU and others to help develop a young, very diverse group of advertising talent that can feed their agencies. And they should be commended for their continued support. But where will they find those African Americans whose years of advertising experience enables them to service the clients' business and manage and grow their brands from the most senior of positions? Those who will also be the mentors and role models the young people of color will need in the general market agencies? And let’s be clear, everyone, regardless of color needs mentors and role models – that’s how aspirations and dreams are achieved.


part 2 follows...