HYPEBEAST reported American Express named Pharrell Williams as Creative Director of its Platinum Card. Isn’t Ogilvy & Mather the AOR for American Express? Maybe Ogilvy Worldwide CEO John Seifert will try to count the appointment as a diversity win. Once again, it’s easy for Blacks to land a job in advertising—provided they have A-list celebrity status.
Pharrell Williams Is the New Creative Director of American Express Platinum Card
The versatile artist takes on another role.
By Joanna Fu
The multi-talented Pharrell Williams has many titles under his belt. In addition to musician, producer, fashion designer, CFDA style icon and Chanel model, the artist can now add creative director of American Express Platinum Card to his repertoire. Earlier this morning, American Express announced the news, commenting that Williams will bring “his creative vision and style to inspire and guide the global experiences, access and services that the Platinum Card is renowned for providing.” Having witnessed the success Pharrell has generated from previous business collaborations such as G-Star RAW, adidas Originals and many more, the multinational financial service corporation anticipates Pharrell’s professional experience and artistic vision to guide Amex user experiences and events that will help propel the premium consumer lifestyle. “Like many of our card members, he’s traveled the globe, he has an amazing imagination and he loves to discover and share new experiences,” commented Janey Whiteside of American Express. “I’m excited to be partnering with such a globally respected brand as American Express,” said Pharrell, in a statement.
I do not like this trend where the only POC we see in prominent ad agency creative roles are high end celebs.
ReplyDeleteIt's not very inspirational, and the only thing it reminds me of is Chris Rock's monologue where he, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and Eddie Murphy all had to be A list celebs to live in his upscale neighborhood, while his white dentist just had to be... a white dentist.