17569: Overreaction Of The Weekend.

 

Mediapsssst reported a Louisiana-based White advertising agency created a $50k scholarship, supplemented by additional financial assistance, for students at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communications.

It’s another sign that DEIBA+ is DOA in Adland when White ad agencies deliver performative PR hyping scholarships for White students.

Baton Rouge Agency Creates $50,000 Scholarship For LSU’s Manship School

By Richard Whitman

Baton Rouge, LA-based full-service marketing agency DAA Media + Marketing is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026 and as part of a year-long celebration has announced it is underwriting a $50,000 advertising scholarship to the Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication.  

Scholarships will be distributed by LSU in $10,000 yearly increments over five years. 

The first selected students will be awarded this fall. Criteria for selected students will be determined by the university.  

“DAA has been a valued partner of the Manship School for many years, and this generous investment reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of communication leaders,” said Manship School Dean Kim Bissell.  

The scholarship commitment to LSU builds on DAA’s yearlong 50th Anniversary initiative to give back to the organizations and communities that have helped shape the agency’s success over the past five decades. 

The agency has pledged an additional $50,000 throughout 2026 through a combination of financial and in-kind contributions. It is also continuing to invest in the next generation of industry leaders through mentorship, career opportunities, and initiatives like the DAA Emerging Leaders Laptop Giveaway, which will award Apple MacBooks to five students pursuing degrees in advertising, marketing, graphic design, or communications.  

“Reaching this 50-year milestone as a company has given us the opportunity to reflect on our five decades in business and on the relationships that we have had the privilege to build throughout the years,” said DAA CEO Nancy Steiner. “That, along with our passion for mentorship, and creating the unique opportunities that our young professionals in our field need to get ahead is something that collectively fuels us as a team and as a company.”

17543: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Brand Insider Summit for Retail declares, “Welcome to the Insider Circle.” The banner copy seems to indicate business relationships happen via drinks and luxury cruises versus proven performance and professional capabilities. Plus, based on the website image below, the Insider Circle is insular and exclusive.

 

Is the retail industry sold on systemic racism?

17466: Overreaction Of The Week.

   

This Adweak post is hilarious—albeit probably unintentionally—for the depiction of an Agency Management Team.

 

One White guy accompanied by Blacks and Asian Americans?

 

The revision below would’ve been more accurate—and funnier too.

 

17447: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Another sign that the Apocalypse is upon Adland.

 

Advertising Age reported Nike—yes, Nike—got kicked for cultural cluelessness stemming from Boston Marathon advertising that read, “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.”

 

Online backlash charged Nike displayed “lack of inclusivity and elitist athletic view.”

 

It’s a wonder no one thought walkers referred to mobility aids for adults—otherwise, the outrage would have included accusations of ageism.

Nike removes ‘walkers tolerated’ sign following backlash as rivals post more inclusive views

 

By Adrianne Pasquarelli

 

Nike landed in hot water this week for an ad outside its Boston store ahead of the Boston Marathon on Monday. The sign, which read “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated,” invited broad online backlash for its lack of inclusivity and elitist athletic view. Nike removed the sign on Friday and issued a statement.

 

“We want more people to feel welcome in running—no matter their pace, experience or the distance,” the sportswear giant wrote in a statement provided to Ad Age. “During race week in Boston, we put up a series of signs to encourage runners. One of them missed the mark. We took it down, and we’ll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners.”

 

“Many people taking on the marathon next week will walk all or part of it. For them, what does a message like this say? Does it inspire, or does it exclude?,” wrote Dr. Hussain Al-Zubaidi on Instagram. Others noted the importance of all types of marathon participants.

 

“To every midpack mom, every charity bib, every comeback story, every person who started late, every person who finished slow and cried anyway. You are not tolerated. You are the point,” wrote Theresa Seitz, author of “Built to Finish,” on Instagram.

 

It was a rare advertising misstep from a brand that has typically celebrated all athletic achievements with its “Just Do It” mantra. It also opened the door to rivals to step in and promote their support for all types of runners. Both Hoka and Altra posted messages of inclusivity following Nike’s backtracking.

 

Nike has struggled in recent years to resonate with customers eager for innovation. A turnaround strategy under CEO Elliott Hill has yet to show meaningful effect. The company reported flat revenue of $11.3 billion for its most recent quarter and forecast a 2% to 4% revenue decline for the current quarter. Earlier this month, Hill reportedly told staffers he was tired of talking about fixing Nike. “I want to move to inspiring and driving growth and having fun,” Bloomberg reported he said.

17280: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Pantone Color of the Year 2026 is described as follows:

 

A Whisper of Tranquility and Peace in a Noisy World

 

Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.

 

Adland is undoubtedly ecstatic—and fully supports—the honored color is White.

17267: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Norlop VML in Ecuador is responsible for this White Energy stunt explained as follows:

 

White Energy is the first initiative that transforms a stadium’s emotion into real energy. During Liga de Quito’s Noche Blanca, we captured the fans’ chants and vibrations, converted them into clean kWh, and stored them in four Chery EQ7 vehicles. With that energy, we lit up the stadium for the first time in history.

 

Hey, the agency could’ve converted the White energy at VML to light up the entire country.

17157: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Anybody else think Riri Williams looks a little Golliwog-ish on this Invincible Iron Man cover? Sorry, don’t heart this Ironheart.

17130: Overreaction Of The Week.

FOX News reported King Charles is changing the rules at Buckingham Palace, rewriting a 100-year-old tradition for playing tennis on the royal family’s court. Specifically, the strict dress code for players now makes tennis whites “preferred” but “not essential.”

 

Regarding players on the court, however, Whites are still preferred and essential.

 

King Charles shatters 100-year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts

 

By Stephanie Nolasco and Ashley Papa

 

After more than 100 years, King Charles is changing the rules at Buckingham Palace.

For the first time, players on the royal family’s outdoor tennis court no longer have to follow the strict “almost entirely white” dress code, The Sunday Times reported.

 

According to the outlet, the 76-year-old has relaxed the protocol, making tennis whites now “preferred” but “not essential” for players, including members of the royal family, household staff and their guests.

 

Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

 

Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, told Fox News Digital that the king has been determined to modernize the monarchy, making it fresh and relevant for today’s public.

 

“King Charles is a very progressive-thinking man,” said Felton Spence. “He has been his entire life, always looking forward and trying to build for the future. He has made it his mission to reshape a monarchy fit for the purpose today and tomorrow, while keeping the cultural relevancy that grounds the institution. These initiatives are good news and should be celebrated.”

 

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that it’s one of many changes the busy king has been making. She pointed out that Buckingham Palace announced on July 3 that the Royal Train, whose history dates back to Queen Victoria, would end 156 years of service. The palace shared it’s too costly to operate and would require a significant upgrade to accommodate more advanced rail systems.

 

“The Royal Train is no longer,” said Fordwich. “Other changes have included lowering the temperature of the palace swimming pool to reduce energy consumption and other updates to palace amenities.”

 

“King Charles has previously broken many royal customs, including changes to ceremonial duties, the public displays of affection, and, in general, many public engagement styles,” she shared. “His direct engagement in political lobbying has not been well received and has been most ill-advised.”

 

The dress code upgrade is significant for the king, who is known for his formal wear. According to the outlet, Charles is rarely seen in jeans or sneakers. However, he wanted his staff and guests, in particular, to “feel less restricted by protocol.”

 

“While the end of the all-white tennis dress code at Buckingham Palace might seem somewhat minor, it’s a significant and rather symbolic step by King Charles to modernize the monarchy, making royal life more approachable and less bound by rigid traditions,” Fordwich explained.

 

Fordwich noted that the fashion rule was originally put in place when the court was built in 1919 during King George V’s reign. According to the Royal Collection Trust, it’s recognized as “London’s most exclusive tennis court.” The Sunday Times noted that it’s located in “a shady area of the palace’s 40-acre garden.”

 

“It has always been a hallmark of royal sporting etiquette,” Fordwich shared. “Players, including royals, staff and guests, may not wear colored clothing... It’s so sad to see yet another tradition abandoned.”

 

It’s noted that for Charles’s ancestors, sweat was considered unsightly, and colorful clothing showed it off more than white ensembles.

 

Felton Spence noted that we can expect the king to continue bending the rules.

“Protocol are simply unofficial rules adopted through tradition. They started somewhere,” she said.

 

Royal commentator Amanda Matta also told Fox News Digital that Charles’s latest move may have been a quiet one, but its message was loud and clear.

 

“It might seem like a minor change, but in royal circles, even a small dress code modification says a lot,” Matta explained. “By easing up on the all-white rule for tennis at Buckingham Palace, King Charles is continuing his quiet push to modernize the monarchy. This modernization will not be through big pronouncements, but with subtle shifts.”

 

“The all-white rule dates back to Victorian ideas about formality and appearance, and changing it shows that Charles is willing to let go of traditions that feel outdated,” she shared. “It’s also a practical move. This isn’t Wimbledon, after all, and the court is used by family, guests, and even palace staff, so relaxing the rules makes sense. I’m expecting (and excited for) more of these small tweaks throughout Charles’ reign!”

 

Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Charles isn’t the only one looking to dust off the monarchy’s rigid rules. Kate Middleton made her fashion first by wearing Christian Dior on July 8 for the start of the French state visit. According to the outlet, the 43-year-old’s style choice was aimed at showing sartorial diplomacy. Her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, was known to be a muse for the French fashion brand.

 

“There have been many arguments recently allegedly about fashion styles,” said Turner. “It is known that as soon as she is seen in a new outfit, it is sold out in minutes. Such is the demand to emulate her.”

 

Royal photographer Chris Jackson, author of “Charles III: A King and His Queen,” previously told Fox News Digital that Charles’s personal style has always shared important messages about his prized causes.

 

“He’s got this beautiful Aston Martin that runs on biofuel, which is surplus wine and cheese whey, which is pretty incredible,” Jackson said. “He’s obviously very passionate about the environment, [and] he’s got this beautiful car, a DB6 Volante Aston Martin, that’s environmentally friendly.”

 

The king, who has been a longtime advocate of sustainable living, bought the car in 1970. He converted it to run on biofuels, which use ethanol created from cheese-making whey and wine. He loaned his beloved vehicle to his son Prince William, who used it to drive Kate from their nuptials in 2011.

 

Daily Mail reporter Robert Hardman, author of “The Making of a King,” also previously told Fox News Digital that Charles is known for sharing “coded messages” by using his ties.

 

“His favorite has a little T-Rex motif on it,” said Hardman. “I thought, ‘That’s a bit odd. I keep seeing this tie with a dinosaur on it… Of course, his cipher says, C. Rex, Charles Rex. So, I think he’s having a little joke about being king with his tie. But he’s in a good place. He’s a happy monarch.”

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

17031: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Is Epidemic Sound engaging in multicultural marketing?

 

The service offers the most inclusive music license, and probably presents a diverse range of soundtrack solutions created by global artists. Depicting multiracial and multigender thumbs-up images—probably royalty-free stock photography—feels forced too.

 

Yep, the promotion has all the key characteristics of multicultural marketing—right down to looking like it was produced for crumbs.

16973: BHM 2025—Overreaction Of The Week.

 

MediaPost reported Havas acquired an agency based in Buenos Aires and Mexico City, while Publicis Groupe is acquiring an influencer and content company based in Brazil—breaking the news during Black History Month.

 

Yet no word on any White holding companies planning Black advertising agency acquisitions.

16922: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Digiday published a lead-in for the WorkLife report on Adland responses to the WPP RTO policy titled: Industry clutches pearls after WPP returns to office four days a week.

 

Industry clutches pearls?

 

While the phrase has gained cross-cultural and gender-neutral status, Wiktionary states its origin as follows: From the stereotype of a woman who wears pearls and is easily offended.

 

Given Adland’s gender inequality issues—as well as intersectionality exposed via the privileges enjoyed by White women in the field—surely Digiday editors could have hatched a better headline.

 

Cast not pearls before swine…?

 

Industry clutches pearls after WPP returns to office four days a week

 

By Tony Case

 

WPP’s announcement requiring employees to return to the office four days a week has sent shockwaves through the advertising industry, spotlighting a deepening divide between corporate-owned and independent agencies on workplace flexibility. While some leaders argue in-person collaboration fuels creativity, critics view the move as outdated and morale-crushing.

 

Employees have voiced frustration over the abrupt policy from the agency holding group, citing poor communication and personal challenges, with some questioning whether “creative collaboration” outweighs childcare needs or two-hour commutes. Meanwhile, independents see an opportunity to attract disillusioned talent championing flexible models that balance productivity with personal well-being.

 

As WPP braces for potential backlash — including a petition with over 15,000 signatures — the industry grapples with a critical question: can rigid mandates coexist with the evolving expectations of the modern workforce? For now, the battle lines are drawn, with the future of talent and agency hanging in the balance.

 

Read the fully story.

16882: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

AAF confirms Adland is no longer interested in Blacks.

 

Although Mars Incorporated might insist Ms. Brown brings inclusivity to the affair.

 

16873: Overreaction Of The Week.

MediaPost spotlighted a new campaign—#TimeOut Against Hate—designed to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate.

 

The messages involve multiple sports leagues—including the NFL, WNBA, NBA, MLB, MLS, NWSL, NHL, and NASCAR—turning competitive timeouts into national calls against hate.

 

Um, how come Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to call out racial injustice stirred outrage—but this stunt is okay?

 

Robert Kraft’s Antisemitism Group Unveils #TimeOut Against Hate Campaign

 

By Steve McClellan

 

Earlier this year Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) aired an ad in the Super Bowl featuring civil rights leader Clarence B. Jones. The theme of the ad was that the silence of those who know better allows hate to foster and spread.  

 

Now the group has formed an alliance with multiple sports leagues and some well-known coaches, players and personalities – including NFL head coaches Andy Reid and Jim Harbaugh and former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal – for a new campaign that will air during pro and college sports games and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade over the Thanksgiving holiday break and beyond.

 

The new campaign is called #TimeOut Against Hate, aimed at turning the frequently called for pause in sports contests into a national call against hate. 

 

The new ad spot and campaign is the first of its kind in uniting major sports leagues, their commissioners, and star athletes and managers to champion the fight against hate.    

 

The campaign is from WPP’s VML and stemmed from a closed-door meeting with Kraft and major sports commissioners earlier this year as an opportunity for each league and its teams to take a larger, active role in propelling the fight against antisemitism and other forms of hate. Participating leagues in the NFL, WNBA, NBA, MLB, MLS, NWSL, NHL and NASCAR.

 

WPP’s Mindshare is the media partner for this campaign, with media activations including:   

 

# Real-time timeout ads – dynamic streaming placements that are triggered in real-time by timeouts in NFL and college games. When someone calls a timeout in select games, the 30-second spot then starts playing in streaming. These dynamic insertion placements will be in rotation across NFL and NCAA games through December.     

 

# Content partnerships – with content creators and media voices such as three of iHeart’s top sports podcasters (LaVar Arrington, Doug Gottlieb, and Julian Edelman), as well as @dudewithsign on Instagram; the iHeart activations were launched in mid- November.    

 

# Live sports broadcast coverage – the 30-second spot has started playing in various games and leagues across Amazon Prime, ESPN, Fox, NBC, ABC, and will continue over the next few months.

16868: Overreaction Of The Week.

 

Major brands are hyping Black Friday sales—despite abandoning Blacks via discounting DEIBA+ dedication. It’s holiday hypocrisy hijinks.