Playing off the previous post on the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame, why was AI not among the Class of 2026?
The technology has surely delivered more industry innovations—and garnered more attention—than any of the humans comprising the latest inductees and honorees.
Given AI is usually depicted by a White robot, it would’ve made a fitting addition.
Adweek spotlighted the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which appropriately reflects Adland’s anti-DEIBA+ vibe. That is, it’s an exclusive class.
AAF Reveals Advertising Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Honorees are recognized on the Hall of Fame’s 75th anniversary
By Audrey Kemp
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has unveiled its 2026 Advertising Hall of Fame class as part of the program’s 75th anniversary, including six legendary industry leaders, one corporate honoree, and two President’s Award recipients.
The Advertising Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations whose careers have had a lasting impact on advertising, business, and culture. The announcement was made Tuesday in conjunction with the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange closing bell.
“Our whole industry looks to the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame as the ultimate standard of leadership, character and lasting impact,” Ross Martin, chair of the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame and president of Known, told ADWEEK. “The 75th anniversary class is special, not just for what they’ve each achieved, but for who they are, how they did it, and all those they’ve inspired along the way.”
The 2026 Advertising Hall of Fame Inductees
This year’s Hall of Fame class spans creative leadership, brand stewardship, marketing innovation, and long-term cultural influence.
They include:
• Gordon Bowen, founder, mcgarrybowen; creative chairman, Dentsu Creative
• Esi Eggleston Bracey, global chief growth and marketing officer, Unilever
• Susan Fowler Credle, global creative advisor, Interpublic Group; former chair and global chief creative officer, FCB
• David Droga, vice chair, Accenture; founder, Droga5
• Tim Ellis, chief marketing officer, NFL
• Jim Stengel, president and CEO, The Jim Stengel Company; former global marketing officer, Procter & Gamble
“The Advertising Hall of Fame honors industry legends for their globally recognized achievements, groundbreaking innovations, and exceptional philanthropic contributions to both the advertising industry and their communities,” said Steve Pacheco, president and CEO of the American Advertising Federation. “On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame, I can’t think of a more distinguished Class of Honorees.”
Inductees will be formally celebrated at the Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Gala on April 23, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Corporate Honoree: American Express
In addition to the individual honorees, American Express was named the 2026 corporate Hall of Fame inductee, recognizing the brand’s long-standing influence on marketing, brand storytelling, and purpose-driven business.
Founded more than 175 years ago, American Express has built a legacy as one of the world’s most recognizable brands, with marketing that has shaped culture across generations. The company has also been widely recognized for its support of small businesses, including its creation of Small Business Saturday.
“American Express has built a legacy as one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the world,” Pacheco said. “Its marketing has shaped culture. The company is also a leader in purpose-driven work, and it has shown a deep commitment to supporting small businesses and helping local merchants.”
President’s Award Recipients
To mark the Hall of Fame’s 75th anniversary, AAF has selected two President’s Awards recipients for the first time. The award recognizes public figures whose primary careers are outside advertising, but whose work has made a meaningful contribution to the industry.
This year’s recipients are:
• Barry Manilow, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer
• Marlo Thomas, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, author and longtime activist
Manilow began his career in advertising, composing and producing some of the most recognizable commercial jingles of all time. Thomas has had a decades-long cultural impact through her work in entertainment and her advocacy for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, helping raise more than $1 billion over the past two decades.
A portion of the proceeds from the Hall of Fame induction gala will benefit The Manilow Music Project and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
AAF confirms Adland is no longer interested in Blacks.
Although Mars Incorporated might insist Ms. Brown brings inclusivity to the affair.
AgencySpy posted on the American Advertising Federation inducting the most diverse class ever into its Advertising Hall of Fame—a group that included Pioneer of Diversity John Wren. Why was such a momentous occasion only covered by AgencySpy?
The Advertising Hall of Fame Inducts Most Diverse Class Yet
By Emmy Liederman
When Antonio Lucio accepted his induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame, he asserted the industry’s collective social impact that does more than impress fellow ad veterans and award show committees.
“I believe in this industry’s ability to do good,” said Lucio, who concluded his speech waving a miniature Puerto Rican flag as a salute to the place he grew up. “We influence the way the world sees itself.”
Lucio, the former global CMO of Meta and the principal and founder of talent consultancy 5S Diversity, is part of the American Advertising Federation’s 72nd annual class. The April 27 award show at Cipriani Wall Street was kicked off with remarks from president and CEO Steve Pacheco, followed by board chair Tiffany R. Warren, who expressed her pride in inducting the AAF’s most diverse class yet.
The organization recognized Unilever as its corporate nominee and honored seven industry veterans:
• Raúl Alarcón, chairman of the board and CEO, Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
• Cathie Black, principal, Madison Park Ventures; former chairman and president, Hearst Magazines
• Louis Carr, president of media sales, Black Entertainment Television (BET)
• Antonio J. Lucio, principal and founder, 5S Diversity and former global CMO at Meta, HP, Visa and PepsiCo
• Renetta E. McCann, Chief Inclusion Experience Officer, Publicis Groupe
• Aaron M. Walton, CEO, Walton Isaacson
• John Wren, chairman and CEO, Omnicom Group
Several honorees said they hope this class popularizes the notion that careers in advertising, media and marketing exist for everyone—and that organizations failing to identify diverse talent probably don’t know where to look. Carr, who has been with BET Networks for 36 years, referred to his role as a “privilege job” in that he is able to “show Black excellence both on screen and off screen.”
The acceptance speeches were introduced with video montages for each inductee, which consisted of praise that spanned from industry leaders to grandchildren. In Black’s tribute, Gloria Steinem commemorated her fellow contributions to feminism—the former president of Hearst Magazines was also the first woman publisher of a national consumer weekly, New York Magazine.
In an email to inductees after the event, Advertising Hall of Fame council of judges chair Carolyn Everson expressed her excitement in honoring a group of leaders who embody and champion the progression of industry inclusion.
“Watching each of you step up and deliver extraordinary messages of inspiration, leadership, passion and provocation was something no one in that room will ever forget,” she stated. “Serving the AHOF has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”
The AAF boasts a commitment to diversity via smokescreens like The Mosaic Awards, the Most Promising Multicultural Students Program and clichéd stock photography on its website. Yet the organization shows its true colors by honoring All-White inductees for the 2016 Advertising Hall of Fame. And now comes a press release announcing four new members to the AAF’s Board of Directors—and the quartet appears to be another All-White extravaganza. Brilliant.
Leaders from PepsiCo, Quantcast, The New York Times, ICM Partners Join the AAF’s Board of Directors
Seth Kaufman, Jonathan Perelman, Marcus Harper and Lisa Ryan Howard join the National AAF’s leadership.
NEW YORK, NY, Apr. 11, 2016—The American Advertising Federation (AAF) announced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors earlier today. The announcement was made in conjunction with one of the industry’s most prestigious events, the Advertising Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and gala dinner, which is being held at the Waldorf Astoria New York.
The AAF elected four new leaders to its Board of Directors. Marcus Harper, Head of Global Partnerships, Quantcast; Lisa Ryan Howard, Senior Vice President, Advertising, The New York Times; Seth Kaufman, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo North America Beverages; and Jonathan Perelman, Head of Digital Ventures, ICM Partners join the AAF’s National Board.
The AAF’s Board of Directors guides and oversees the Federation’s signature events and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, Advertising Hall of Achievement, Mosaic Center for Multiculturalism, National Student Advertising Competition, ADMERICA and the Institute for Advertising Ethics—all serving the Federation’s 40,000 professional members nationwide, 5,000 student members and more than 100 corporate members spanning media, clients and agencies.
“This is an amazing slate of industry leaders joining our Board, representing all parts of the advertising ecosystem and from different facets of our Membership,” said AAF President & CEO, James Edmund Datri. “I look forward to working with them and the entire AAF Board to continue to grow and innovate the Federation in the years ahead in exciting new ways.”
The AAF’s Board of Directors includes leaders from the most well-known and well-respected brands, media companies and agencies spearheading the advertising industry. These members support the AAF’s initiatives through partnerships, speaking engagements and thought leadership. The four new members join a Board led by Chairman Jim Norton, Global Head of Media Sales, AOL; Vice Chairman David Messinger, Co-Head, CAA Marketing, Creative Artists Agency; and Immediate Past Chairman Rich Stoddart, CEO, Leo Burnett Worldwide. During their tenure with the AAF, these leaders shape the AAF’s daily business, expansion efforts and innovation.
For more information about the AAF’s Board of Directors and partnership opportunities, please visit www.aaf.org or contact Linda Moore via email or by phone at (202) 898-0089.
Oops. Missed the deadline to join the AAF in congratulating the all-White honorees being inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. Will Chris Rock serve as emcee for the gala ceremony? Oh, and check out the stock photography displaying clichéd diversity on the AAF website.
The Advertising Hall of Fame is seeking advertisers for its program. Can’t help but feel like the sponsors backing the All-White extravaganza include a lot of the usual suspects also backing ADCOLOR®. Gee, such diverse supporters.
Oh, look! The Advertising Hall of Fame 2016 Inductees are essentially a clan of White men and White women. The honorees include W+K Co-Founder and Chairman Dan Wieden. Hey, making it into the Advertising Hall of Fame still doesn’t beat receiving his ADCOLOR® Award, right?
There is no “all” in Hall of Fame.
Spike Lee on Clients, the Knicks and the Need for Change in Adland
Writer and Director Inducted into Advertising Hall of Fame
By Rance Crain
Let me set the stage: Spike Lee showed up for our interview dressed for the pages of GQ—rainbow-colored shoes, a grey coat with bright tie and white shirt, leopard-spotted glasses and a beret. If his vibe sent a signal of accessibility, it would be strictly on his own terms, I soon found out.
My interview got off to a less than auspicious start. “That’s not a current quote,” he said when I asked him about his observation that advertisers have to slip in the message because consumers don’t want ads to dictate to them.
His current thinking is “people seem to be conducive to branded content, long-form instead of the same old 30-second spots. And a lot of these branded pieces, you don’t even know who the company is until the credit comes at the end. I’ve done several of these for Chevrolet and Cadillac.”
But whether short-form or long-form, Spike—who was just inducted into American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame—said too many advertisers convince themselves they can reach black consumers with general advertising because they don’t know “the code.”
The code, he said, is about cultural references. “You have to live it, you have to be part of it, and not just say that you have a very famous African-American friend. That’s faking the funk to me.”
So what needs to be done to push change? “Well, it’s going to have to take people who get it, people who don’t want to stay stuck in the ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ world, that world is gone. … As they say in Brooklyn, ‘dun,’ d-u-n.”
DDB gets it. Otherwise it wouldn’t have made the deal to start Spike-DDB, Spike said. “But … as a whole, the advertising agencies have not gotten it.”
The creator of the iconic Mars Blackmon TV spots for Nike said the only world that gets it is sports, “because the bottom line is, you can play or you can’t play.”
I couldn’t resist—“Like the Knicks can’t play?”
“We’re not talking about that now,” he replied.
“I mean there are black and brown people who are presidents of NBA, and baseball, and other pro sports organizations, GMs, scouts, coaches,” he said. “It’s not perfect but ... they put Hollywood to shame, they put television to shame, and they put the advertising world to shame.”
He said Phil Knight was discouraged by many from using Michael Jordan as the face of Nike because it would deter white consumers from buying Nike products.
Wouldn’t you think people would learn a lesson from that, I asked, to which he replied: “You need to be asking the people who are the heads of agencies that question, not me.”
I pointed out that we have asked them, and they always say they’re trying. “You know that line is so tired. That’s from the 1960s,” Spike said, adding a two-word verdict on agency claims they can’t find enough black and Hispanic talent: “It’s bullshit.”
Spike is currently working on a movie called “Chiraq,” which contrasts the war zones in Iraq and Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, among others, is not thrilled with the title.
“Not talking about that,” he said.
How come?
“Because I don’t want to.”
Why?
“I don’t talk about stuff until it happens. It’s a jinx, bad luck, bad karma.”
I pressed on. I’m just trying to get a story here, I said.
“No, I understand. That is absolutely your job, and it is also my job not to answer questions I’m not going to answer.” b I changed the subject. What does Spike think of viral media?
“Now that’s a good question,” he said.
“I would say that social media has changed the whole world, and not just advertising. I mean, it gives anybody access to as many people as they can get themselves in front of. And I want to take this opportunity to thank my daughter and son who prodded me into the modern world with social media. My children where the ones who said, ‘Daddy, you need to have Facebook. You need to be on Instagram. And thank God they did that because I’m able to reach people that I would not have been able to reach.”
He said he has 800,000 followers on Twitter and 100,000 on Instagram. “It’s good to engage with the people who support you. I don’t read Twitter that much because Twitter can be a very hateful place.”
Spike said social media has expanded his audience to the point where he now has an e-commerce store, Spike’s Joint. And he uses social media to promote his appearances so he doesn’t have to pay for publicity.
I asked him what he was proudest of. “I’m going to answer that, sir, like a parent. I’m proud of everything I’ve done, you know? Some were more successful than others, but there’s nothing I’ve done that I’m gonna hide my head, anything like that. You’ve got to be proud of what you do whether people like it or not, you know, stand behind your work.”
Once in a while, clients can get in the way. “I don’t mind clients having input, I just wish that they would know what they’re talking about. I would say 90% of the people I’ve worked with are great, but that 10%, they’re just displaying their ignorance about camera or lighting or whatever it is and they just let it be a big show of force for position.”
Spike wouldn’t name any of the lousy clients, but he cited Nike, Pepsi, Chevy, Cadillac, Major League Baseball, NFL and the New York Knicks as among the best.
I asked him if the Knicks dismal performance this season made them a hopeless case. “No, there’s always hope,” Spike Lee said. “Do Cubs fans have hope? They haven’t won since 1908. They still have hope. Wrigley Field continues to sell out because fans believe “this is gonna be the year. That’s hope.”
Then I asked what the Knicks needed to do to improve next year. “You’ve got to ask Phil Jackson. He’s the president. I don’t have a say.”
Well, you should, I said.
“There should be peace on Earth, too,” he responded.
The AAF presented a press release announcing the 66th Annual Advertising Hall of Fame inductees, which included a few head-scratchers.
Does Spike Lee really deserve induction? While he’s an accomplished filmmaker, has he truly made breakthroughs in the advertising industry? Then again, Lee is certainly as—and perhaps more—deserving for recognition than Crispin Porter + Bogusky Chairman Chuck Porter.
Radio One Founder and Chairperson Catherine L. Hughes will become the first Black woman in the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Hughes, but why isn’t Caroline Jones in the exclusive club too?
Wonder how the Hall of Fame clan feels about having inducted Bill Cosby in 2010.
PepsiCo, Seven Legendary Individual Inductees Headline the 66th Annual Advertising Hall of Fame®
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 66th Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies & Gala Dinner will be held the evening of Monday, April 20, 2015, in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s historic Waldorf-Astoria hotel.
Elected by the Advertising Hall of Fame’s distinguished Council of Judges, here are this year’s “magnificent seven” to be inducted into the Hall of Fame:
John B. Adams, Jr. , Chairman, The Martin Agency
Lee Clow, Chairman, TBWA\Media Arts Lab; Director of Media Arts, TBWA\Worldwide
Catherine L. Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc.
Spike Lee, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Spike DDB and 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia, Inc.
Charles Porter, Chairman, Crispin Porter + Bogusky
Linda Kaplan Thaler, Chairman, Publicis Kaplan Thaler
John B. Adams, Jr. will also be presented with the distinguished David Bell Award for Industry Service, now in its second year, to recognize extraordinary and unique contributions and service to the advertising community and industry as a whole. It is named in honor of David Bell (Hall of Fame Class of 2007), a visionary leader and mentor to several generations of advertising professionals.
The Council of Judges made history this year by electing the Hall’s first ever African-American woman, Catherine L. Hughes.
This year’s corporate inductee is PepsiCo, one of the world’s most iconic companies, with beverage and food brands that are loved and enjoyed household names across the Globe. Among many things, PepsiCo pioneered the bridges between entertainment, music, pop culture, and advertising—and in doing so revolutionized the way we all see advertising today. It is one of only six companies ever inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame.
“Long being one of the world’s most storied brands, with a rich history woven into our cultural landscape, Pepsi has at the same time always stayed current—setting the trends and catching the spirit of each new generation with the cool and the new—and in doing so ushering in each new generation as a Pepsi Generation. It is a brand that isn’t just a part of the culture, it is that rare brand that has been a powerful and innovative force in making the culture,” said James Edmund Datri, President & CEO of the American Advertising Federation, which administers the Advertising Hall of Fame.
“Our Hall of Fame Council of Judges, composed of leaders of advertising and media, advertisers and distinguished Hall of Fame members, was deeply committed to choosing men and women of legendary stature and achievement,” said James R. Heekin III, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group and Chairman of the Advertising Hall of Fame. “This extraordinary Class of 2015 will inspire new generations to come and deserves to be celebrated as only the AAF can.”
Richard Porter, President, Media Sales, Meredith Corporation, and Vice Chairman of the Advertising Hall of Fame added, “This year’s Hall of Fame reflects not only the best and brightest in our industry, but also is a mirror on the tremendous value of having a diverse range of talented individuals with unique backgrounds and experiences who can build and lead the next generation of the advertising and media community. And our corporate honoree, Pepsi, has an incredible portfolio of outstanding work over the years as well.”
Ed Lewis on Growing Essence Magazine Empire From Those First 13 Ad Pages
Media Pioneer Says He Still Believes in Print
By Rance Crain
If it hadn’t been for baseball legend Jackie Robinson, Edward Lewis might not have been able to start Essence magazine.
Jackie Robinson was Ed’s “hero and idol,” the magazine founder said. “I had the great pleasure to meet him,” and that inspired Ed to make a call to the bank Jackie Robinson helped start, Freedom National, to apply for a $13,000 loan.
Ed had no collateral, and the president of the bank wondered how he would pay it back. But the bank president said he believed in Ed, thought he had character and lent him the money. “If he had not done that, I may not be sitting here talking to you now about starting a magazine for black women,” Ed told me in a video interview a few days before he was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame.
In the beginning
Ed and four partners came together in 1968 to try to get funding for Essence. They had a business plan for $1.5 million, but they could only raise $130,000 -- and part of that was the $13,000 Jackie Robinson’s bank lent Ed.
Essence’s first issue, in 1970, had 13 ad pages. “Thirteen pages of ads is very minimal, as you can truly recognize. … But we just worked hard, told our story, crafted statements about the importance of the market and how it was going to grow and that it should be taken seriously. And over time, with additional financing and making the right decisions and having the right people, we were able to survive and to carry on this journey that’s now 44 years old.”
Ed’s challenge was to persuade advertisers to take more than one ad. He said “we would discourage” running a single ad. “We would say, ‘You’re doing yourself a disservice by doing that. If you’re going to advertise, make an investment.’ Because the audience is going to see that this particular company is trying to advertise in a medium that cares about me. If I see you there one time and don’t see you afterwards, why should I be supportive of you?”
Early advertisers such as Bergdorf-Goodman and Dreyfus got the message.
Essence has been adept at extending the reach of its brand. In 1995 the magazine started a music festival in New Orleans, and Ed says “It’s been a real joy to see the festival morph into a party with a purpose—and to see the extraordinary number of people.” Almost 540,000 people came to New Orleans over the Fourth of July weekend last year, Ed said.
Like other print mavens, Ed is very aware that “we’re going to have to look at other revenue streams in order to continue to grow—digital, conferences, festivals.” But he believes that print “is still going to have a major role in how people get information. … And for those publications that really still have an identity, really have an editorial niche, they will continue to do well. They may not do as well as they had in the past, but they will continue to do well.”
Teaming with Time Inc.
I asked Ed why he decided to sell a minority interest in Essence to Time Inc. in 2000. “Time Inc. is a company that believes in brands, in terms of all the products that they had. So being a part of Time Inc. said to me that they cared about my brand that I helped bring into the world.”
“So it was about their resources, it was about them caring about the brand, and then caring about developing African-American women that suggested to me when they came to me in 2005 and said they’d like to buy the remaining 51%. I thought it was a good deal for the shareholders of Essence, and it certainly has turned out to be correct.”
Ed has just written a book, “The Man from Essence,” giving credit to his partners who helped start the magazine.
“In the beginning we were all equal partners, equally making decisions about how to run the company. A prescription for disaster. Conflict. And so we had to make changes. Or I made changes over those years in terms of making decisions, very difficult decisions with respect to asking my former colleagues no longer to be with the company.” That’s why Ed almost called his book “The Last Man Standing.”
Ed credits his mother and the other “she-roes”—strong women—in his family for inspiring him. “I saw strong women, I saw how they were not appreciated, how hard they work.”
So what Ed is proudest of is “to know that I may have made a difference in making black women feel good about themselves. About their beauty, about their intelligence.”
Adweek spotlighted AAF Hall of Fame inductee Sir John Hegarty, listing his five most provocative thoughts on creativity. Wonder if the old man has even five clichéd thoughts on diversity. If so, he’s welcome to drop them off in the comments section here.
John Hegarty’s 5 Most Provocative Thoughts About Creativity
‘Bollocks to failure,’ says the BBH co-founder
By Andrew McMains
John Hegarty is an advertising icon, as co-founder and creative leader of Bartle Bogle Hegarty. And with that comes many honors, like getting inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame. That happens on Monday night.
Also, Hegarty has written a new book about—what else?—creativity. “Hegarty on Creativity. There Are No Rules” is blissfully concise and even fits into your coat pocket. As an Adweek public service, here are Sir John’s five most provocative thoughts in the book:
1. Collaboration is great for sex, not so much for creativity. In short, groupthink breeds blandness.
2. Bollocks to failure. Yes, it happens, but don’t dwell on it. Move on.
3. Nothing is original, so strive for something fresh instead. After all, it’s how others respond to your ideas that counts most.
4. Take your headphones off. Being creative means being connected to the world around you.
5. And finally, like Paul McCartney, everybody needs a Lennon—a partner who can challenge your thinking, and in the process, produce better art.
At Advertising Age, Rance Crain talked with three AAF Hall of Famers—former TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers, former Ogilvy & Mather North America Co-President and Chief Creative Officer Rick Boyko and Wieden + Kennedy Co-Founder David Kennedy—and the topics of conversation included diversity.
Rodgers acknowledged the lack of progress in the TV business, particularly for Black executives. “I love the fact that I may have been the first African-American to be the president of a network television division or executive producer,” said Rodgers. “But the dilemma becomes what I still am at this late point—the only one to have ever been.”
Regarding diversity on Madison Avenue, Boyko admitted he doesn’t see much progress at all. The adman believes the solution is to reach beyond colleges, targeting recruitment efforts at the high school level. Hey, what about kindergarten and daycare too? Nice to know you can confess to total ineffectiveness establishing inclusive workplaces, offer the same old solutions that have historically failed to create change and still land in the Hall of Fame.
Kennedy avoided delving into diversity altogether, opting instead to hype his association with Native Americans. In Kennedy’s opinion, “…the indigenous people of this part of the world have been trod upon and we need to pay back.” Gee, the same could be said about minorities and the advertising industry.
AAF Hall of Famers Grapple With Diversity in Ad, Media Industries
Insight From Advertising Hall of Fame Inductees
By Rance Crain
When Johnathan Rodgers was a writer for Sports Illustrated, in the late 1960s, he wrote a piece titled “The Plight of the Black Athlete.” At the time he joined SI as the magazine’s first African-American reporter, black athletes played a major role in sports.
“But in a way we didn’t,” he added.
“There were no black managers. There were no black coaches. And there existed this awful quota system by position and by roster. ... So when you talk about the plight of the black athlete, yeah, we were getting paid, and yes, we were performing, but it really was a system that, unfortunately, reflected the values of our country at the time.”
These days, Johnathan told me during an interview for his induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame, things “have changed significantly. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more African-American coaches in the NBA than white coaches.”
“We clearly have black managers and Hispanic managers all throughout baseball; we’ve had them in football.” In one Super Bowl, he said, both coaches were black. “Now I think we should get more progress in the ownership area. And Michael Jordan, if you’re listening, we need better managers in the management area as well, so thank you for doing all you can, and let’s win.”
The veteran TV executive, who’s held major positions at CBS, Discovery and TV One, noted the same conditions exist in that industry. There have been “great advances” in black actors appearing on the TV screen, he said, but the black executive positions are as equally rare in the TV business as black professional sports.
NO CHANGE
“I love the fact that I may have been the first African-American to be the president of a network television division or executive producer. But the dilemma becomes what I still am at this late point—the only one to have ever been.”
Another Hall of Fame inductee this year, Rick Boyko, doesn’t see much progress anywhere in the advertising business. Mr. Boyko, who headed the VCU Brandcenter for 10 years, believes that to promote greater diversity in advertising the industry needs to focus on high school. He says there’s too much emphasis on college, “but we don’t do enough to get high-school students to really understand who we are, to talk to high-school counselors and to have minority parents understand that this is a good business.”
The problem, Mr. Boyko said, is that the industry is insulated. “We ... think that we’re really perceived to be a terrific career.”
To most people, though, “we’re not too far off from used-car salesmen and senators. And if we don’t change that perception, we can’t change parents’ minds,” Mr. Boyko said, noting that he came from a family in which nobody went to college. (Mr. Boyko went from high school to the Air Force before attending college—but never graduated.) Lots of minority parents are in the same place, having “never gotten to higher learning, so they want their children to go to higher learning. It’s not going to be to go for advertising, when the perception is that it’s a charlatan business. So we, as an industry, have to change that perception.”
PAYING BACK
Newly installed Hall of Famer David Kennedy is co-founder of Weiden & Kennedy, and although he’s been retired since 1995, he still keeps busy at the agency, working pro bono on the American Indian College Fund. Mr. Kennedy told me “it’s pretty much a full-time job. It’s more of a commitment than a job.”
What was his connection to Native American culture? “I grew up in Oklahoma, Colorado, states that were surrounded by a lot of reservations and I grew up immersed in native culture as a child. And it had a terrific influence on my life.”
But when he got into the “real world” he was separated from that connection. “Strangely enough, in 1990, December 19, I got a letter from the director of the American Indian College Fund, wondering if we could take them on as our pro bono account.
“It was absolutely perfect timing. I was upset with being stuck in meetings all day. I wouldn’t get any work done. I couldn’t create. ... So it was a chance for me to work on something that I really believed in and had been disconnected with for many years.”
Mr. Kennedy thinks that “when an agency like ours reaches a point where we have established strong relationships with creative forces in our business, if we can’t draw upon that relationship for the good of mankind then what’s the use? I think that my career in advertising means nothing if I can’t do something good with it.”
It’s been hundreds of years since the first Europeans set foot on this continent, and Mr. Kennedy said “the indigenous people of this part of the world have been trod upon and we need to pay back.”
Advertising Age Editor-in-Chief Rance Crain interviewed former 4A’s honcho O. Burtch Drake on his induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame. Here’s an excerpt:
The ad industry’s major hot potato is diversity, and I asked Burtch why it has been such a difficult issue. “I think the biggest challenge is that the advertising agency business does not appear to be really attractive to young minorities yet, despite all the efforts of the portfolio schools, the scholarships that the 4A’s are putting up, the work the AAF is doing. I don’t know. Nobody has cracked the nut, and it doesn’t seem to be, frankly, getting any better.”
Net takeaway: You can admit failing to make meaningful progress with industry diversity—and confess to being clueless on solutions—yet still get inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame.
