Essay 319

Is it possible to hold civilized, meaningful and constructive discussions about exclusivity and discrimination in the advertising industry?

Based on a handful of incidents last year, the answer appears to be fuzzy at best.

Nancy Vonk and Janet Kestin initiated discourses on sexism at ihaveanidea.org. Ernie Schenck opened deliberations on Hispanic marketing and Baby Boomers at eschenck.typepad.com. David Kiley probed gay issues through his Brand New Day blog at businessweek.com. Hadji Williams ignited conversations on race at ihaveanidea.org, talentzoo.com, adrants.com and more.

Online forums allow for a diversity of opinions, which is cool. But in the cases listed above, the injection of nastiness, ignorance and hate tainted the proceedings.

Obviously, these matters have highly personal and emotional components. So a few heated words are bound to be posted.

Additionally, these Web conferences are difficult to moderate and navigate. It’s like holding a debate where anonymous contestants can only scribble notes while secluded in separate cages — with time delays to prohibit immediate responses and rebuttals.

Nonetheless, it seems like mean-spirited gnomes ultimately manage to blockade change and progress. To be clear, this is not a criticism of naysayers, cynics and doomsday prophets. After all, this author often pledges allegiance with those folks.

Rather, this is about taking things personally — on a host of levels. This is about attacking the debaters versus attacking the subjects being debated.

“Forget about sexism and misogyny on Madison Avenue — Jancy are a couple of back-stabbing shrews with questionable talent.”

“Baby Boomers built the business — you sniveling Xers and Yers should shut up and keep playing video games in your cubicles.”

“Who gives a rat’s ass about gay issues — anyone supporting The Ford Motor Company is a queer-loving Antichrist.”

“Don’t bring up bias and racism — Hadji Williams is a self-promoting Negro who refuses to use spell-check.”

The previous quotes were based on actual statements. And the actual statements were often more forceful and offensive.

The barbs are usually complemented with stereotypical arguments. For example, sexism doesn’t exist since females comprise about half of the overall ranks. Racism in advertising is offset by the bling-loaded NBA. Ageism is too new to have generated stereotypical arguments, but the dubious viewpoints will emerge eventually.

Perhaps the Internet is unsuitable for soapboxes. Then again, there appear to be no alternative pulpits. Our business is great at publicizing causes when billable hours — or potential awards — are at play. But self-analysis and self-regulation still elude us. Plus, processes and best practices are only revised when clients or holding company accountants demand it.

Another thorn is the lack of participation from industry leaders. Granted, it’s understandable that bigwigs might hesitate to join a thread. The HR lawyers would definitely frown on unauthorized editorials. Yet continuing to avoid things in forums like Advertising Age or Adweek is truly disturbing. Too few top male executives weighed in on the Neil French debacle. Nearly zero bosses touched the gay or racism topics. Even the Baby Boomer exchanges remained more of a monologue versus a dialogue, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of ad honchos fall into the generational category.

Thanks to the silent commanders and the not-so-silent fanatics, objectives are rarely defined. Action plans won’t be drafted. Accomplishments are never realized. Sexism, ageism and racism fester and grow, along with assorted social skeletons crammed in our corporate closets.

Not sure what the ultimate solution is here. But apathy and blind eyes are more reprehensible than the real problems.

So for now, let’s strive to focus the blog summits on issues versus individuals. Let’s remain committed to typing what’s on our minds. Let’s share thoughts and ideas. Let’s collaborate on measurable goals. Let’s inspire and execute with purpose. Let’s do remarkable stuff. Or at least annoy the authority figures.

And if the lunatic fringe wants to crash the parties, so be it. Guess every get-together needs the obligatory obnoxious drunks.

Bring it on.