The American Advertising Federation didn’t like what Advertising Age had to say about a recent study the group conducted which found 69.3 percent of students in the organization’s Most Promising Minority Students program are employed in marketing and communications. Advertising Age chose to twist that with a story headlined, “Nearly One-Third of AAF Minority Candidates Vacate Ad Industry.”
In an apparent response to the Ad Age story, the AAF placed an ad in today’s USA Today headed, “Mr. Advertising” with a visual of an African American packaged up like, well, a ready to go to work, fully-charged, easily upgradeable work doll. Questionable creative aside, why don’t we all stop twisting facts and just have an open conversation. Gee. It just so happens Adrants is the major sponsor of an upcoming conference on the topic entitled, Advertising and Marketing Industry Diversity Job Fair and Leadership Conference.
At the event, held March 13 in San Francisco (and again in Boston May 16), industry professional, both minority and non-minority, will discuss the issue of diversity in advertising. Part of the event will also include a job fair for those interested in exploring a career in advertising. Maybe a bit less twisted rhetoric and more open dialog would be a healthy thing for all. More info here.
