10153: Adonis Hoffman On Diversity.

MultiCultClassics first “met” Adonis Hoffman via a 2010 post spotlighting a how-to book on diversity Hoffman had published through the 4A’s. At the time, MultiCultClassics wrongly presumed the book was another token effort from the trade organization, and that Hoffman was perhaps the equivalent of a Chief Diversity Officer—as the role is defined by Sanford Moore—for 4A’s President and CEO Nancy Hill. Hoffman quickly clarified matters, and visitors are encouraged to view his comments at the aforementioned post.

MultiCultClassics had promised to review Hoffman’s book and dedicate more blog space to the man’s accomplishments. Sincere apologies for the extraordinarily long wait.

While Hoffman is a strong proponent for diversity—in the advertising industry and beyond—his official title is Lawyer and Leadership Counsel. Hoffman’s online profile states he “provides strategic communications, corporate and public policy counsel to business leaders, policymakers, academic institutions, diplomats and international organizations.” Plus, his resume includes serving as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, as well as Senior Vice President and Counsel at the 4A’s.

Hoffman is definitely an advocate for the advertising industry, as evidenced by his work with the 4A’s. So his diversity-related initiatives almost make Hoffman appear like a PETA-loving vegetarian employed at Mickey D’s.

Diversity: How To Do It Right technically addresses all industries and enterprises. Yet it has obvious, particular and direct relevance to advertising agencies. Additionally, it’s written in such a way that even the most culturally clueless Old White Guys will be able to comprehend it. Hoffman distills his points to single-page action items designed to inspire movement and progress, providing a straightforward roadmap for Madison Avenue.

Hoffman’s book is comprised of two parts. Part 1 is headlined, “10 Principles and Best Practices for Diversity and Inclusion,” and the 10-page section summarizes the top ten reasons why typical ad shops have failed to eliminate exclusivity. That is, the majority of Mad Men have not embraced the simple instructions. Part 2 features “50 Things Every Business Leader Should Know About Diversity,” and opens with some sage suggestions:

If you don’t believe in the value of diversity for your organization, here are a few words of advice:

First, don’t tell anyone how you really feel.

Second, get some confidential counseling from one of your CEO peers, a board member or someone you trust and respect.

Third, fake it until you become a true believer.

And fourth, once you commit, do it right or don’t do it at all.

Another pearl of wisdom from Hoffman urges:

One of the well-worn excuses for not achieving diversity is “we can’t find any qualified minorities” or “all the really talented minorities have been snapped up.”

Please resist saying these things because they are not true, and they will make you sound racist and stupid.

Hoffman’s no-nonsense words certainly apply to Jeff “Where Are All The Black People?” Goodby, Dan “Now That’s Fucked Up!” Wieden and every ADCOLOR® nominee hopeful organizing a minority internship or inner-city youth outreach program. In the end, Hoffman argues diversity is possible through three key components that advertising agencies cannot and/or will not deliver: commitment, cash and cultural competence.

Diversity: How To Do It Right is available for a mere $22.50, and only $10.00 for 4A’s members. It would be interesting to learn how many copies have been sold to date—and how many purchasers actually bothered reading the publication. Any 4A’s member agencies unfamiliar with the book and its contents deserve to have their names placed on Cyrus Mehri’s subpoena and Sanford Moore’s shit list.