Is it time to recognize that—at least in Adland—Chief Diversity Officer is a “widow-maker” position as defined by management guru Peter F. Drucker?
Read the excerpt above from The Daily Drucker and consider its relevance to the evolving scenario in Adland.
In recent years, the advertising industry has recruited lots of Chief Diversity Officers, awarding lots of lofty titles, publishing lots of self-promotional hype, and delegating lots of responsibilities in the process. Yet, somewhat ironically, agencies have failed to retain the executives. Even Madison Avenue’s usual suspects have bailed out for other industries or unrelated pursuits.
The result is a performative, box-checking revolving door. Hiring seasoned DE&I directors with zero experience in the ad field poses challenges too.
Oh, and no one is publicizing measured progress in the areas of diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.
Drucker recommended, “The only thing to do is to abolish the widow-maker position and restructure the work.”
Abolishing the pseudo abolitionists would create quite a quandary. Restructuring the work by tapping internal ERGs or resident minorities for “volunteers” has also shown to be an ineffective tactic.
At the same time, self-regulation has exclusively satisfied the self-interests of the ruling majority.
In Adland, true diversity defending has always been a widow-maker endeavor—and often a career killer. Maintaining systemic racism, on the other hand, is a kingmaker maneuver.
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