16731: How Diversity Can Be Done By Doner In Detroit.

 

MediaPost reported on Detroit-based White advertising agency Doner pledging at least $1 million to hire Detroit-based talent, a regional group decimated by maneuvers like General Motors choosing a new fleet of White advertising agencies from outside of the Motor City.

 

While it appears to have noble and compassionate intentions, one can’t help but feel #HireDetroit is a self-promotional stunt.

 

It also poses global questions about hiring practices in Adland. That is, if it’s cool for an enterprise to recruit by region, why not by race? Why doesn’t Doner—in keeping with its alleged dedication to diversity—take a page from Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall’s playbook and orchestrate a cluster hire strategy? Simply pledge $1 million to exclusively hire Black and Brown staffers.

 

Based on Doner’s racial and ethnic figures (depicted below), the place has perpetuated a preference for Caucasians. What’s more, the underrepresentation of non-Whites would justify a cluster hire strategy.

 

Why not supplement #HireDetroit with #HireDiverse? Surely Doner could find qualified candidates of color in Detroit.

 

Doner Commits $1M To Hire Local Ad Talent

 

By Fern Siegel

 

Detroit-based Doner is lending a hand to ad talent.

 

The mission is to hire Detroit-based talent via #HireDetroit. The new service is a response to the disruption of agency changes and the resulting account loses in the city.

 

“Doner has been a fixture of the advertising landscape since 1937, and we’re not going anywhere,” said David DeMuth, CEO at Doner. “There’s amazing talent here in Detroit. We’re investing $1 million dollars, at minimum, to find the best our city has to offer and continue elevating our work in service of clients.”

 

The focus is hiring local talent in the next three months.

 

But to ensure ad talent isn’t limited to the Motor City, Doner will share its date with clients, agencies and recruiters nationwide.

 

Doner is also offering to aid job searches by providing LinkedIn Premium membership for 200 users. Plus, agency leadership will offer helps with resume and portfolio reviews.

 

Boon, a Detroit-based coaching platform, will provide free professional advice.

 

“Detroit advertising is once again going through extreme change. As has been the case before, the resilience of our advertising community will shine through,” DeMuth added.

 

Doner’s client work includes Coca-Cola’s fairlife, Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo), UPS Store and McDonald’s.