Diversity—Shrugged

Midjourney prompt:
/explore, photograph, group of advertising executive men walking down a hallways, a landscape –ar 6:3 --style raw --s 250

We are in a time of spreading labor inequality. The U.S. marketing and advertising industry will eliminate almost all non-white leadership by the end of 2023

In 2021, 73% of agency leaders were white. In 2022, this number increased to 90%.

Similarity Bias is the silent enemy of fair hiring and promotions. When people of color are excluded from leadership positions, they are excluded from decision-making. Decision-makers are naturally inclined to favor people who are similar to themselves, whether in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, or other factors. When all-white agency leadership makes decisions, they are more likely to favor other white people, even if those people are not the best qualified for the job. 

Diversity—Shrugged

No longer are corporations force-marching middle managers through diversity training and efforts. Instead they are turning toward legally protecting themselves, as they divest from performative diversity staff they hired in 2021 to 2023. But there are consequences to these actions…

Innovation—Lost

When diverse voices and perspectives are not heard, agencies are less likely to come up with innovative ideas. This is because they are not getting the full range of insights and experiences that are available to them. As a result, their work is likely to be less effective and less creative. 

Sales—Down

Brands are increasingly looking for agencies that can understand their needs and create effective marketing campaigns that reach a diverse audience. If agencies do not have a diverse workforce, they are at a competitive disadvantage.

An Industry in Retrograde

The advertising industry has a long history of discrimination and misogyny. If agencies do not take steps to promote diversity and inclusion, they will be regressing back to these harmful practices. This will make the industry less attractive to talented people from all backgrounds, and it will ultimately hurt the industry as a whole. 

We need to work together if we’re going to win.

Take action: 

• Break free of your algorithm-driven echo chamber 

• Brands: Hold agencies accountable to having diverse leadership and a culture of inclusion

• Marketers, advertisers, creatives and influencers: Don’t be sanguine. Share content about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Learn about Cultural Intelligence as a Strategic Advantage

• Agencies: Show us your commitment to diversity at all levels! 

• Opposed to this insight? Research this issue, post your POV, engage in constructive debate 

I wrote this because I believe in truth, humanity, solidarity, and that awareness is activism. Only by working together can we reshape this narrative. Thank you.