The Big Tent

An Interview With Anita Laney: Vendor-Diversity Expert

How the Economy Is Affecting Minority- and Women-Owned Vendors

Posted by Carol Watson on 09.17.09 @ 12:05 PM

Carol Watson

September is the time of year for thinking about reinvention and refocusing for those trying to build new businesses and making career changes. On the eve of Advertising Week, opportunities for diverse vendors and marketing partners will be a hot topic at a few events.

JWT Hosts Evening for Minority Creative Talent

Networking, Maintaining Community Important Part of Diversity Battle

Posted by Carol Watson on 05.11.09 @ 12:02 PM

Carol Watson

When we talk about diversity (or lack thereof) in the ad industry, we tend to talk about an ad agency as if it were one thing. But the fact is the creative department has long been regarded as the area in most need of diversity and inclusion given its very function of creating communications that speak to an increasingly diverse consumer population.

The creative department has also been the one area that has historically been allowed the most freedom from corporate policy regarding hiring practices, career development and management training requirements. Yet, most of the heads of creative departments will be the first to tell you that the creative department is the most color-blind area in the agency: They claim to judge talent only by the work and, depending on the agency, by the awards. The cry of "We don't know where to find them" (them being copywriters and art directors who aren't white) is heard most loudly from the creative department.

What Diverse Talent and Hiring Managers Should Be Doing This Year

Open Your Minds, Network and Find Your Own Brand

Posted by Carol Watson on 01.09.09 @ 01:25 PM

Carol Watson

This is a New Year in this industry like no other. The recession, extremely low consumer confidence and continued legal and political pressure to increase diversity Madison Avenue make for quite a lot of nervousness and fear all around. It also breeds the pressure to change and rethink how we approach our own careers, our business and hopefully force a movement of change in the industry as the country is also forced to evolve.

Advertising Week Crossing the Color Line

Another Year, More Events Dealing With Diversity

Posted by Carol Watson on 10.01.08 @ 12:32 PM

Carol Watson

After five years of Advertising Week, the organizers seem to be catching on to the importance of the diversity issue. There are more events than ever revolving around diversity and multicultural marketing.

Like It or Not, Threats of Lawsuits Cause Real Change

Posted by Carol Watson on 09.16.08 @ 11:02 AM

[Editor's note: I've asked our Big Tent contributors to respond to the news that famed civil-rights attorney Cyrus Mehri -- who's brought discrimination suits against Coke and Texaco and played a part in getting the NFL to hire more African-American coaches -- has commissioned a study to look at the lack of diversity in ad agencies. We'd also love to hear your take on the subject, so respond in comments or answer our poll question.]

Carol Watson

It is unfortunate that these actions are necessary to really see attention placed where it is needed. I agree with Mr. Mehri's assessment. Many of the businesses (such as Coke and Texaco) that have gone through this process have been forced to adopt real change initiatives that have resulted in significant success in diversity leadership from all underrepresented ethnicity groups, not just African Americans. And that legal action has also resulted in competitive advantages and innovation that have financially benefited those companies and industries.

Hopefully, the smart agencies will see the challenge as an opportunity to address persistent talent-development deficiencies and will make middle management more accountable for career development and creating an inclusive environment. One of the biggest barriers is the perceived challenge in transitioning high-achieving marketing talent without agency experience. Agencies must deal with the challenge of "perceived lack of supply" and attack it head-on. Identifying those who have been successful making the transition will be good for agencies and, more importantly, will offer new thinking and innovative solutions to client problems brought from a fresh perspective.

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.

Digital Investment Heats Up in Many Areas -- With One Exception

Multicultural Shops Need to Step Up

Posted by Carol Watson on 05.20.08 @ 10:22 AM

Carol Watson

The recent move by Radio One to invest $30 million in Interactive One is great news for multicultural marketing companies looking to step up their online efforts and fill the demand for metrics that show and prove response from multicultural consumers. Major investments in digital media and a diversified digital talent pool will fuel the evolution in the advertising space in both the general and multicultural markets.

Just When You Thought You Were the Only One

We Need More Old-Fashioned Social Networking

Posted by Carol Watson on 04.02.08 @ 03:11 PM

Carol Watson

The power of social networking (the personal, low-tech way) to support retention for multicultural talent in the advertising industry was put into effect at a recent book signing and reception held in New York. The event was hosted by Cocktails & Community (a newly formed organization of blacks in digital advertising) and my firm, Tangerine-Watson.

Some Marketers Aren't Confused About Diversity

That 'Lack of Knowledge' Is Starting to Sound Like an Excuse

Posted by Carol Watson on 03.04.08 @ 06:03 PM

Carol Watson

Last week's article on marketer's confusion about the effectiveness of multicultural marketing did not prompt the outrage that I expected from multicultural professionals in the industry. There was much frustration, exhaustion and debate, but most continued to go about the business of making the case, providing the proof, being the evangelists and champions of business building for their clients. The lack of outcry is probably because the research findings didn't come as surprise to anyone that has been working in the space for a while.

Review: Madison Avenue and the Color Line

Book Offers a Back to the Future Feeling

Posted by Carol Watson on 02.12.08 @ 04:58 PM

Carol Watson

The avalanche of response and debate last week in the wake of Tiffany Warren's post about the travails of black creative talent really struck an emotional chord with many. Adding some historical perspective on African Americans in the advertising industry through the release of a new book by Jason Chambers, Madison Avenue and the Color Line: African Americans in the Advertising Industry, during Black History Month seems like perfect timing. The frustration, emotion and lack of trust and ambivalence by some blacks in the industry are the result of a history that many are unaware of. In fact, in some regards, that history isn't really history quite yet. And while history cannot restrain us, it does provide a framework of better understanding to guide us as we move into the future.