Essay 266

The Art Directors Club created a messed-up entry campaign for its 85th Annual Awards competition (click on the essay title to view the shit). The program is titled, “Pimp My Brand” — complete with bling-sculpted typography and a Black man dressed as Ronald McDonald. Not sure how Mickey D’s would feel about such a tribute. A theme line reads, “Ain’t No Such Thing As Too Much Gold.” The judges are labeled, “The Big Dogs Of The Business.” The credits are headlined as “Shout Outs.”

Damn.

What’s up with the advertising business? Advertising Week and the Effies promoted events with sexist imagery. Now an allegedly prestigious organization goes for cheap racial laughs.

An industry that has traditionally excluded Blacks shamelessly bites the culture without hesitation. How typical. Or stereotypical, to be more accurate.