MultiCultClassics FAQ
Q. Where the hell am I?
A. Welcome to MultiCultClassics.blogspot.com. The subtitle used to read, “Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.” But it’s been updated to read, “Confronting Common Cultural Cluelessness.”
Q. What’s the point?
A. There are multiple points. The advertising industry continues to struggle with exclusivity and discrimination. No need to elaborate on the whys. But there is a tremendous need to consider what we can do about it—and even why we must do something about it. MultiCultClassics presents a stage for discussions, debates, strategies and more. Additionally, the blog offers you the chance to step outside of your own cultural comfort zone and experience broader perspectives. In short, MultiCultClassics delivers a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism.
Q. Why bother satisfying a recommended daily allowance of multiculturalism?
A. Because we live in a multicultural society. Too many issues in the advertising industry—and the world, for that matter—are rooted in simple unfamiliarity with different cultures. The essays in this blog seek to expose everyone to cultural news and concepts that will hopefully lead to a better understanding for all.
Q. Are there other points?
A. Yeah, but you’ll discover them over time.
Q. Who’s writing all this crap?
A. Technically, lots of folks. The essays are a combination of musings, editorials, news briefs, collected articles/columns and more.
Q. Then who’s HighJive?
A. Technically, lots of folks. Sometimes HighJive is the editor-in-chief. Sometimes HighJive is writing personal viewpoints and observations. Sometimes HighJive is a guest writer. Sometimes HighJive is relaying information and anecdotal essays from associates. Sometimes HighJive is swiping stories from a variety of sources.
Q. Does HighJive have experience in the ad industry?
A. Lots of folks comprising the HighJive persona have lots of experience in the business. The primary HighJive has worked at numerous mass market and multicultural agencies, producing award-winning work for major brands.
Q. Why the anonymity?
A. Lots of reasons. Avoiding the political retaliation that often accompanies speaking the truth is one motive. But more importantly, a desire to focus on issues versus individuals remains the ultimate goal. Again, this forum allows lots of folks to voice their opinions freely. There are additional reasons, but they’re not important.
Q. Why are the essays numbered versus titled?
A. The essays are intended to be read sequentially. In some respects, this is a social experiment and a continuing conversation. Visitors should stop by regularly to keep up with the latest and immerse themselves in our multicultural world.
Q. Who’s paying for this?
A. It’s totally pro-bono. There are no advertisers or sponsors. There are no hidden agendas. It’s a 100% volunteer venture, so don’t send applications seeking a salaried position.
Q. Who should visit MultiCultClassics?
A. Everyone. What’s more, everyone should share the site with everyone they know. This blog works best with an inclusive and inquisitive spirit. Please visit often. Admission is free. Open to the public 24 hours a day.
Q. Where do I begin?
A. Start by reading Essay One. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Click on the essay title above to go directly to the kick-off entry.
10 comments:
Did you see last week's Chicago Tribune piece on "Size O as a metaphor" by Anne Reams? I think you posted her before. I think you will be interested in it, it is all about marketing and media and how they impact body image. BTW, I believe that she worked at Ogilvy and Mather.
Love your site!
Dear High Jive!
I love your blogsite and read it more than 2 times a day, everyday. I just wanted to invite you to check out my blog: http://www.culturelabcreative.blogspot.com
It is a blog related to multicultural advertising. All the best!
Kevin W.
Dallas, Texas
Highjive: check out my rant about the Super Bowl on the blogsite:
http://www.culturelabcreative.blogspot.com
Thanks! Keep up the excellent blogging.
you guys would enjoy this... a song about chicken and "community" (which can be read as blackness in my opinion) by KFC for their 360 campaign this year.... how tragic.
http://www.kfchitmaker.com/media/mp3/3_13_JENNEL_LATOYA_Lets_Have_a_Party.mp3
High Jive!
I'm been reading for about a year now and it's been a real eye opener. Thanks for expanding my worldview.
One question, though:
For the benefit of us who are learning to be more aware of the ads that we view and the products we support, would you consider doing a week (or even a day) of really GREAT ADS that represent the best of the best so that people like me can get an idea of what's appropriate and celebrate instead of the typical "how terrible and clueless is this" posts?
I think it would be good for me to be able compare/contrast clueless ads with thoughtful ones!
Nathan
Hi,
Don't know if you have seen this bit of mockery.
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0c7de8e7e8822d5ed7ce89f8beb92969
Best,
public (at) multicultural brand consultancy dot Com
I was reading your blog, and it seems that while you claim to be open-minded about diversity in advertising, you have a couple strong prejudices.
1. You seem to hate fat people. Please visit http://www.bigfatfacts.com. Being fat is not due to being lazy or another myths thrown out by the media, who sells diet pills. Where are your critiques of ads that sell diet medication to women, that have been proven to cause ill health?
Fat is caused by genetics, this is why people who are fat, typically have a fat relative in their family. If not their immediate family, somewhere in their family tree.
People of size deserve to be acknowledged and not mocked in advertising, just as do other groups who have been discriminated against.
It's simple. Stereotyping fat people equals money from them harming themselves, to become thin.
2. People with Intellectual Disabilities.
It seems with your reporting on Topic Thunder, the harm caused by such a stereotyped intellectually disabled character slipped past you. There are intellectually disabled people, who everyday are told something is wrong with them, with who they are. They also are presumed to be all alike, which is the worst fallacy that could be said about the intellectually disabled.
I have Asperger's Syndrome. You wouldn't notice if you saw me at the store, perhaps unless you knew what to look for. At the very least, I'd probably come across as a nerd.
I was sent to support groups that claimed they supported people like myself, instead they supported Autistics. I have nothing against Autistics, but unpredictability makes me very anxious. I also have Hyperacusis, a sensory problem which makes me hyper sensitive to sudden loud noises. Most of these times I'd be sent to these groups, only to be treated as if I was there to babysit the other participants. Now, why is this, because people are told that people who are intellectually disabled are all alike. Someone like me possibly couldn't have the problems I do, cause I don't "look" like someone who would.
It's called invisible disabilities, when someone has a disability but otherwise looks like your average joe. There is alot of discrimination against people with invisible disabilities, them being told they should simply get over their problems. That they don't deserve support, because they don't appear as sympathy driving as Autistic children. Even when it comes to saying they can't be around children cause of the noise, they're called child hating monsters.
Please if you want a blog that deals with real diversity, don't pick and choose which groups to acknowledge as being worthy of respect, then turn around and demean other groups. If equality is what you want, then you should be outraged at ANY stereotyping in the media or advertising.
NYC’s Funniest Marketer 9/21 - Call for Comedians
August 30, 2010 |
If you’re a standup coming working in advertising, design, marketing or PR, or always thought you were funny enough to do it, here’s your chance! Drinking With Adholes and The World Standup Comedy Club in NYC will give you your chance – with the grand prize being your very own live performance at the world famous Fryer’s Club! If you think you have what it takes, email your name, photo and short bio to awesomecontest@theworldnyc.com
http://drinkingwith.adholes.com/?p=41
My comment is regarding the Happy Labor Day poster labeled as 14743 A Laborious look at Labor Day. Question, what does it say at the bottom right side of the poster. It's about 17 characters. I can't figure it out.
Sorry, Unknown. The image was swiped via a Google search. It kinda looks like "Soul City Graphics"
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