9142: Diversity Or Diversion For SC Johnson?

Now that Ogilvy and Energy BBDO have officially been named as AORs for SC Johnson, expect both shops to go on hiring binges. After all, the two offices are relatively small compared to Chicago’s Draftfcb, and they do not currently have the human resources to handle the incoming SCJ assignments.

“Obviously we’ll be expanding the agency further,” said Energy BBDO President and CEO Tonise Paul in a recent interview. “It’s a natural trajectory when you’re in a growth phase as an agency. We’ve had other phases in our history where we’ve had growth spurts, and it really makes for incredibly exciting times.”

It will be incredibly exciting to see the diversity of candidates considered for positions. The Ogilvy website presents quite a commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, as does the website for BBDO parent Omnicom. Additionally, the SC Johnson website features a personal/personnel pledge from Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson.

Given that Ogilvy and Energy BBDO are owned by major holding companies—WPP and Omnicom, respectively—it’s a safe bet that the corporate bean counters are furiously working to determine the exact FTE formulas for profitability. The Chief Financial Officers will definitely be heard on how to proceed. But have the Chief Diversity Officers even entered the picture yet?

WPP Overlord Martin Sorrell and Omnicom Overlord John Wren publicly agree on the talent issues within their companies. However, neither leader has achieved much in the area of diversity. Sorrell openly admitted his network does a lousy job of recruitment and retention—and to be clear, Sorrell was talking about recruiting and retaining White people. Wren charged his agencies to come into compliance with the agreements made with the New York City Commission on Human Rights by 2008. To date, the bulk of network hype on the matter involved the assembly of a Diversity Development Advisory Committee and anointing a new Chief Diversity Officer.

Will soon-to-be-ex-Draftfcb drones migrate to Ogilvy and Energy BBDO? Or will the shops exclusively appoint friends, family and former partners? The shifting of $1 billion in billings presents a unique opportunity for WPP, Omnicom and SC Johnson to deliver on their promises regarding diversity and inclusion—or to perpetuate the outdated practices that have stifled progress for over 60 years. Which, incidentally, is roughly the same amount of time that Draftfcb and SC Johnson held a professional relationship.