The Changing Face of 'Urban' Consumers

Not Always an Issue of Black and White

Posted by Doug Melville on 08.07.08 @ 12:16 PM

Doug Melville

When you are addressing urban references to your employees, consumers or customer base, how do you define "urban"? The answer could help you get a better understanding of what urban means to your brand.

I Don't Know What Color I Am

Unity Conference Raises Questions About Hispanics and Race

Posted by Laura Martinez on 08.06.08 @ 02:48 PM

Laura Martinez

A few days ago, as thousands of journalists gathered in Chicago for the 2008 Unity Conference, a Mexico City-based magazine editor called and asked me if I would attend and, most importantly, if I would be willing to file a story from the event. For the uninitiated, Unity: Journalists of Color is an organization "advocating fair and accurate news coverage about people of color." It is made up of more than 10,000 members and counts among its partners the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association.

'Black Copy' Blog Says It All in One Post

Put This on Your Reading List Today

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 08.04.08 @ 10:38 AM

[My white mentor's] friends were very nice and helpful. They seemed surprised and delighted by my work. They critiqued it and gave me great tips, advice and references. They thought I was very talented and deserved a foot in the door, just not their door. There were no openings I was told. And then with a smile, they would ask, "Have you tried Burrell?" I was very familiar with the African-American agency down the street. You wouldn't believe how many general market agency people asked me that. It almost became a mantra.

That's Edye Deloch-Hughes on her blog Black Copy. In this particular post, she's explaining her first attempts to get into the business way back in the, uh, early '80s -- you know, after the first storm following the civil-rights movement and the first New York City Commission on Human Rights investigation fizzled away and was forgotten by all those people who promised to do better.

The post also touches on the pigeonholing that happens to black creatives after they work at an African-American shop. As Edye writes, "Not only did I do the non-respectable thing -- write advertising for black folks -- but I wrote hair care advertising for black folks."

And there's more. In 1,400 words, she manages to touch on almost every complication there is when it comes to race in this industry: problems getting in; issues of being typecast; the psychological comfort of working with people like you vs. the desire to work at a general-market shop; the cyclical nature of the "outrage." Not only that, but the first comment on the post -- which urges Edye to do her own thing rather than seeking work at a general-market agency -- brings up something that often goes unmentioned in these debates: the number of people who quit to start their own businesses. It's a great post. Here's hoping Edye writes more. Now go read.

AdColor Extends Nomination Deadline

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.24.08 @ 12:35 PM

I know that my last round of writing in this space was a 1,400-word one-sided shouting match at the agencies. And I usually leave the positive reinforcement to Tiffany Warren ... because she just LOVES the abuse heaped on her for daring to point out that there are people inside the industry trying to make a difference. But I figured I'd link to the AdColor home page, not because I think award shows are totally awesome, but because of the videos on the front end from R. Vann Graves, Karl Carter and Rudy Duthil. Yes, they're talking up AdColor, but they're also an example of the other side of the coin -- the men and women carving their way through the industry. Just because the major agencies might have ... ahem ... less-than-stellar diversity records doesn't mean there aren't talented people making it in this industry.

That said, if you know anyone who you think should be nominated for an AdColor award, they've extended the deadline to August 8.

Gracias, Jim Stengel

You Set the Bar High for U.S. Hispanic Marketing

Posted by Rochelle Newman-Carrasco on 07.22.08 @ 03:01 PM

Rochelle Newman-Carrasco

This story takes place in Cincinnati, about 20 years ago. An overworked account person stumbles off a red-eye from L.A., and after a quick shower at the Cincinnatian Hotel, arrives at her client's office at One P&G Plaza. The client speaks to her with the utmost respect, sensitivity and compassion. He gently broaches the subject of an upcoming annual agency evaluation. The gist of what he says is "Heads up. It's not going to be glowing. It's going to address some very specific client concerns."

Italian Vogue Selling Like the New iPhone

U.S. Marketers and Publishers Might Want to Take Note

Posted by Carol Watson on 07.18.08 @ 02:26 PM

Carol Watson

"Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it -- it's their problem."

That was Italian Vogue editor in chief Franca Sozzani's response to the fear that the July issue would not sell. The only thing that might be bothering her now is not printing enough copies to send to the U.S., considering all the buzz.

The Truth About Black America

Radio One / Yankelovich Study Shatters Myths

Posted by Pepper Miller on 07.15.08 @ 02:22 PM

Pepper Miller

"Myth Buster." It rolled off my tongue unrehearsed and unplanned while presenting a sampling of findings and insights from the Black America Today study commissioned by Radio One (the largest U.S. radio broadcasting company targeting Black Americans) and conducted by Yankelovich.

Fear of a Black Planet?

There Are Two Americas

Posted by Karl Carter on 07.15.08 @ 11:16 AM

Fear of a Black planet isn't just the title of one of Public Enemy's greatest albums, but also the reality gripping America.

Every so often, just when you think the world is changing, something brings you back to reality. Maybe it's the lack of participation in the recent human rights commission meeting by most of the major agencies. Maybe it's the feeling you get when you think of the first black president and then you see this racist New Yorker cover. Then you remember that you are in America. Nothing in America has come easy for people of color. Why do we think that the business world would be any different?

The Power of Random Images

When Being Nobody in Particular Is Actually Being Somebody

Posted by Eric Henderson on 07.14.08 @ 04:19 PM

Eric Henderson

When we speak of diversity, the word itself becomes impolitic when we think of it as a zero-sum game. It should be, if we think like that.

Let's shelve that line of thought for a moment and take another approach.

What if we were to open up and see the full range of possibilities instead? What if there were, in fact, room for all ... and room to spare? (There is.) I think we do sharp advertising minds a bad turn when we declare a cease-fire on the insight synapses and simply argue from flat emotion. You don't do your advertising like that; if you did, all of your work would be the repetitive, literal, emotional screeds. "Buy this now!!" or "It is the right thing for your teeth!"

Younger Generation Fighting Diversity Battle From Within

Government Intervention Isn't Our Only Weapon

Posted by Tiffany R. Warren on 07.14.08 @ 11:24 AM

Tiffany R. Warren

I was there on Monday, July 7, at 7 p.m. I sat there quietly, observing a generation gap between the elder vs. the newly minted members of the advertising workforce opening wider in real time. I left the meeting of the New York Commission on Human Rights with my focus sharpened and my resolve strengthened to continue to promote the positive outcomes of the investigation and the shift in consciousness in our industry.