The Henry Louis Gates, Jr. / Officer James Crowley “Teachable Moment” turned out to be remarkably similar to the way diversity has been mishandled on Madison Avenue.
Think about it. Gates and Crowley initiated a scenario that should have inspired much discussion and subsequent action, as racial profiling remains a major dilemma in the United States. President Barack Obama entered the discussion by emphasizing the lingering problem. However, once the situation seriously escalated, it appeared as if the president and others pulled back, seemingly in an attempt to focus on more pressing topics like health care reform. The end result was a lame Beer Summit, where participants staged a photo op and essentially dropped the matter. The true issue was ultimately ignored and abandoned. Again.
In comparison, Sanford Moore and Cyrus Mehri initiated scenarios that should have inspired much discussion and subsequent action, as exclusivity remains a major dilemma on Madison Avenue. 4As President and CEO Nancy Hill — along with numerous leaders in the industry — entered the discussion by emphasizing the lingering problem. However, once the situation seriously escalated, it appeared as if the president and leaders pulled back, seemingly in an attempt to focus on more pressing topics like the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival and decreased advertiser spending. The end result was a lame minority awards show or inner-city internship program, where participants staged a photo op and essentially dropped the matter. The true issue was ultimately ignored and abandoned. Again.
Except the advertising industry didn’t even bother offering free booze to minorities.
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