15263: Delayed WTF 49—BBDO Displays Diversity Dedication. Again.

MultiCultClassics is often occupied with real work. As a result, a handful of events occur without the expected blog commentary. This limited series—Delayed WTF—seeks to make belated amends for the absence of malice.

 

Last August, Advertising Age reported BBDO Worldwide appointed its first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. Of course they did. The hiring happened way after BBDO experienced serious downsizing in April 2020. And waaay after BBDO New York delegated its EVP Director of Creative Engineering and Director of Diversity to create a minority recruitment program in 2017. And waaaay after the BBDO Diversity Council was publishing comic books to hype the company’s commitment to diversity in 2014. And waaaaaaay after Omnicom assembled a Diversity Development Advisory Committee to profess its dedication to diversity in 2007. And waaaaaaaaaay after BBDO New York was being subpoenaed by New York City’s Commission on Human Rights for its exclusivity in 2006. At some point, BBDO will have to show actual progress for the long-term heat shields initiatives.