8854: C’MON WHITE MAN! Episode 10.

(MultiCultClassics credits ESPN’s C’MON MAN! for sparking this semi-regular blog series.)

Last April, MultiCultClassics spotlighted a post by Peter Madden at Advertising Age’s Small Agency Diary. Madden’s perspective was titled, “You Don’t Have to Say Yes to Every Favor Called In,” and the executive ranted about the hassle of meeting with obscure friends of friends seeking advice and employment in the advertising business. At the time, MultiCultClassics noted the cronyism/buddy system at the heart of the practice, and suggested that people with hiring authority instead make a deliberate effort to connect with total strangers for interviews. Well, it looks like Madden almost took the advice, as his latest post is running in the Small Agency Diary and The Big Tent.

Now Madden is gushing about a kid he met at a Philadelphia philanthropic event (i.e., probably saluting minorities and/or lower-income community members), admitting feeling humbled by the youth’s spirit and character. “I get up at 5 a.m. every day to walk my mom to the bus,” said the kid, “because it’s kind of dangerous where we live and I want to make sure she’s OK.” Madden stated that such words “can stop you in your tracks,” and put life in perspective. For the agency honcho, meeting the young man became an almost transformational experience.

Right.

Can’t help but wonder if the kid has a shot of someday landing a job at Madden’s shop. The senior team appears to be predominately White and devoid of any heroes from the mean streets of Philly.

So how long will the warm-and-fuzzy encounter continue to affect Madden? Bet until the next time a friend of a friend calls for an interview.

C’MON WHITE MAN!