Promoting Diversity: First GroupM Scholars Selected

Agency Awards Scholarships in Professional Development Initiative With City College of New YorkGroupM North America has named the first three honorees in the GroupM Diversity Scholarship program it established with City College of New York late last year as part of an ongoing effort to promote diversity and inclusion within the media and advertising industry.

The scholarship fund is providing tuition to three CCNY students majoring in advertising and PR who plan to pursue careers in the media and advertising: Rahel Araya, Cory Rainford and Salwa Sayed. Among other criteria, recipients must be full-time students in CCNY's ad/PR program entering their junior or senior year and must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

GroupMNorth America's HR Director Tim Cecere (left) and CEO Rob Norman (center) join Salwa Sayed (second left), Rahel Araya and Cory Rainford, the first GroupM Scholars.

"It's a privilege to support CCNY," said GroupM North American CEO Rob Norman in announcing the recipients. "We may be a global company but we are also part of a local community. The students we have met are passionate and committed, and we hope this program will help them develop great careers in our industry."

Under the scholarship initiative, GroupM is providing 10 $1,000 annual scholarships to be awarded in the spring and applied to tuition payments the following fall, covering as much as 40% of a single semester's tuition. This year's remaining scholarship money will be given to fall 2011 candidates applying for spring 2012 scholarships.

The second element of this diversity initiative, known as the GroupM Student Enrichment Fund, benefits a number of ad/PR majors beyond the scholarship program. Students chosen by CCNY's ad/PR faculty based on their GPA and the level of their intent to pursue a career in advertising will participate in professional development opportunities in their junior or senior years. Earlier this year, two students were hosted and mentored by Norman at the 4A's Transformation Conference in Austin, Texas, as part of this initiative.

Ad Age

USDA’S NEW VISUAL CUE LOOKS APPETIZING

The USDA’s replacement for the ubiquitous food pyramid — MyPlate — is “designed to be more artistic and attractive and to serve as a visual cue for diners,” said Robert Post of the Agriculture Department's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.” First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack unveiled the symbol earlier this month. Adds Surgeon General Regina Benjamin: “The new icon is simple and easy to understand, with more emphasis placed on fruits and vegetables.” The plate-shaped diagram, essentially in the form of a pie chart, may give Americans an easier way to envision a mix of food groups on plates or in bowls; the groups have been rearranged in an effort at user-friendly design. An extensive program of print collateral and interactive materials have also been developed by the agency. Early design commentators approve — the old MyPyramid branding was considered confusing — but note that a simple pie chart would have been more conventional to show relationships of elements in a circular form.

Google has come up with their answer to Myspace, Twitter and Facebook

Goog's been working on some new stuff to make sharing on the web more like sharing in real life. Come check out the first five features of Google+ at plus.google.com.

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Census Data Suggests Minority Babies Now Outnumber White Babies, How Will This Affect Policy?

A preview of the final 2010 census data suggests that the racial composition of America is shifting. For the first time in history, more than half of the children in the U.S. under the age of two are minorities. The new information is further proof that the U.S. is becoming significantly browner, and by the middle of the century, many researchers suggest that racial and ethnic minorities will become the majority.

The Washington Post reports:

“Currently, non-Hispanic whites make up just under half of all children 3 years old, which is the youngest age group shown in the Census Bureau’s October 2009 annual survey, its most recent. In 1990, more than 60 percent of children in that age group were white.”

Tweleve states–Hawaii, California, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Maryland, Georgia, New Jersey, New York and Mississippi–and Washington D.C. already have white populations below 50-percent, and in the next few years, researches predict seven more states may be added to the list.

The shift has many wondering how public policy will change to meet the needs of the new ethnic majorities. Currently, programs for older, mostly white Americans such as Medicare and Social Security take up a large chunk of the budget, but demographers wonder how a younger, more ethnically diverse group will fair.

“It’s clear the younger generation is very demographically different from the elderly, something to keep in mind as politics plays out on how programs for the elderly get supported,” said Laura Speer, coordinator of the Kids Count project. “It’s critical that children are able to grow to compete internationally and keep state economies rolling.”

Another interesting finding from the census data also shows that the share of Black households headed by women–single mothers, single women with no kids, etc.–now outnumber Black households with married couples. Although some may be alarmed, this further illustrates the declining marriage rates in the U.S.

From the almighty Clutch

Thank you to the kind stranger who mailed me this:

Some anonymous person sent me this in the mail. I'm not sure who you are but, I really appreciate it. I love vintage ads! No matter how offensive. They assuage my inner white guilt and remind me of how far we've all come. Unless it was some kind of freaky threat of bodily harm. In which case I'm sorry for what I did and vow to not repeat that dubious infraction again, whatever it was.

But seriously; Thank you!

Post-Race Fallout? Melting Pot Leads to Economic Meltdown for Blacks

The current economic slump many African-American niche industries face is evident as Black-on-Black Love, Black Pride, Black History Month, and Black media -- all traditions, slogans, feel good celebrations, and niche industries in the African-American community, are gradually going the way of affirmative action -- to the bone yard.

But why?

Post-race progress, where race is not considered a factor in our buying habits, business pursuits, or self-identity, is wreaking havoc on the Black niche industry and the Black community, a panel of experts argued during the 40th Annual Rainbow Push Convention.

Some argue that the Black consumer market is not as distinctive as before; to wit, in many markets Black radio has become the more diversified, urban radio, and race is not considered at all.

"Nobody wants to talk about race today," said leading African-American market researcher Pepper Miller. "People believe it's forward-thinking to not look at race and to not talk about race. 'So why do we need a Black agency? Why do we need Black media -- because people are people,' is what people say."

Assaults on the Black niche can be found everywhere. For example, why buy that Black women's publication, Essence, to read about Beyoncé, when Beyoncé is on the cover of the mainstream publication,Vogue, as well? Why hire a Black-owned advertising firm to craft a culturally sensitive message for Black teens, when, thanks to popular culture, Black, White, Hispanic and Asian teens hang together, party together and consume the same messages anyway?

This systematic retreat from Blackness has placed Black-owned advertising agencies and media outlets that create and disseminate cultural-specific messages and entertainment for the Black audience, in peril.

Still, post-race progress is not solely to blame; something more sinister is afoot, according to the panelists.

Just scratch the surface of post-race progress and you'll find old-school racism that's driving Black niche businesses into the ground.

Specifically, advertising agencies hired by major corporations have greatly reduced -- or eliminated -- their spending budgets for the Black (and/or) urban market and are using the melting pot theory as an excuse to withhold those dollars.

Here's what the panelists said:

Sherman Kizart: "No Urban Dictate"
In 2009, panelist Sherman Kizart, managing director of Kizart Media Partners, received an explosive e-mail from the advertising agency for BMW/Mini Cooper. "In the body of that email was the directive of how this automotive [company] would spend its media dollars. At the bottom of the email was in clear bold writing: No African American, No Urban to be Included."

Armed with the e-mail, Kizart renegotiated with BMW/Mini Cooper's reps, and that resulted in a whopping 49 percent increase in Black and/or urban advertising buys, up from the previous year.

The battle is far from over, Kizart cautioned. "Discriminatory practices, as it relates to our media companies are so common and so prevalent there's a term for it -- It's called a No Urban Dictate when they don't do business with us."

Carol H. Williams: "When did you figure out that 'other' was a race?"
Audience measurement is a serious numbers game, and African Americans are doing their community a disservice by refusing to identify themselves as 'Black' on the US Census, says marketing maven Carol H. Williams.

For example, when Williams meet with automotive clients about the Black and/or urban market, she must provide data on the target audience's size.

"We can't even check the numbers to know how many are truly buying these automobiles, we just got a hint," Williams explained. "To track these numbers, we need a budget. When I go and say, 'I need a budget,' they say, 'well, the Census says these people are checking 'other.''
When did you figure out that 'other' was a race? I'd like to know. Other means give this money to somebody other than black."

Williams clarified, "I understand the need to have self-identity, but when it comes to the Census, and the government, they're talking about money, what dollar goes where. And you're checking 'other.' [Pres.] Obama... checked African American. Don't you think that man knows who his mother was? He understands what that means."

Munson Steed: "We should be talking about jobs."
The discrimination continues with the lack of Black hires, according to Munson Steed. The lack of opportunity within advertising and creative industries have hit the hip-hop generation especially hard.

"When we talk about advertising we should really be talking about jobs," Steed said. "The reality of such discrimination right now is that most advertising agencies don't have a best practice to include your children. So when you look at these big holding companies that are doing the advertising for Delta Airlines, or American Family Insurance, and they don't have African-American agencies, you're literally saying that your child will probably not even get an entry-level job at these corporations."

Panel organizer Glenda A. Gill Executive Director Global Automotive Project for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, revealed that the group of panelists have joined forces to approach the CEOs of major corporations that do not spend with Black agencies or hire Black youths.

"We're on one accord, we're on one page, and we're going to start with the automotive industry so you'll hear more about us," Gill stated. "This is our one set of rules campaign, and it's around equity and parity. No longer are we going to settle for pennies."

Follow Zondra Hughes on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ZondraHughes

From HuffPo

Pharrell Williams At Cannes Lions 2011

Pharrell Williams was speaking at Cannes Lions with Digitas & Vevo. They caught him back stage and asked him about what brands can learn from bands and how people want to hear the stories behind great design.

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JOSE PARLA + FUTURA at the Elms Lesters Gallery, London

Filmed at the private view of their show 'Pirate Utopias', the artists were gracious enough to step aside for a quick interview. Jose Parla and Futura are legendary in the scene, as well as gaining some insight into their practice we were delighted to discover their humility as people and infectious enthusiasm as contemporary artists.

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Carol H. Williams, Ad Agency Maven, Puts Visa, Nike, Clorox and Burger King on Blast

Zondra Hughes from Rolling Out

Rolling out publisher Munson Steed and Carol H. Williams.“Visa, Nike, Clorox and Burger King have systematically ignored African American consumers,” a charged up Carol H. Williams told a captive audience during the 40th Annual Rainbow Push Coalition convention held in Chicago.

Carol H. Williams is an institution in the advertising and marketing industry. Not the African American advertising and marketing industry, mind you, but the industry as a whole, as she is responsible for some of the most memorable ad campaigns including Secret deodorant’s timeless pitch, “strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.” Carol H. Williams
Williams and a panel of advertising and media experts discussed the challenges that face African American advertising agencies and media companies, as some major corporations have greatly reduced — or eliminated — their spending budgets for the urban market.
Carol H. Williams encouraged the audience to get behind the joint effort to make companies that rely heavily on African American consumers accountable, and reinvest those profits into black and urban media buys, and in their respective communities.
Following is an excerpt from her remarks.

“Our pain is that you don’t understand your power.
“I understand that the Clorox company excels because you exist. Who do you think buys bleach, that is the multibillion dollar product, hypothetically, that Clorox sells? It’s bleach. It’s the pillar of their whole industry. But you go inside a Clorox bleach company and everyone in there looks just like their bleach.
“But they’re moving billions of dollars through yet, 42 percent of bleach is bought by African Americans and another 27 percent is bought by Hispanics. The rest of it is bought by ethnics. When you actually look at the Caucasian consumption of bleach, it’s less than 18 percent.
“Every single one of you have a bottle of Pine Sol, I don’t have to look in your cabinets, I can look at your numbers. African Americans buys 82 percent of Pine Sol. Who sells Pine Sol? Clorox.
“The brand manager is white, the assistant brand manager is white and [so are] the brand manager over the brand manager, the media manager, and you people demand nothing of this company. The only black person I ever saw at Clorox was me, and the receptionist. We have to create a situation that supports Rev. Jackson, and we have to figure out how to do that strategically, because our community will never be uplifted if we don’t demand more of these companies.”

Adding insult to injury, Williams explained, is the throng of African Americans who identify themselves as “other” on the U.S. Census. “A lot of these companies have the conspiracies going on, where we can’t even check the numbers to know how many are truly buying these automobiles. We just got a hint. To track these numbers, we need a budget. To track what you’re doing I need a budget. When I go and say, I need a budget, they say, ‘well, the Census says these people are checking other.’
“When did you figure out that ‘other’ was a race? I’d like to know. Other means give this money to somebody other than black. I understand the need to have self-identity, but when it comes to the Census, and the government, they’re talking about money, what dollar goes where. And you’re checking ‘other.’
“We have to get smarter than this. … Obama, do you know what he checked? He checked African American. Don’t you think that man knows who his mother was? He understands what that means.”
Carol H. Williams advised the audience that “we have to stop participating in this environment as if we’re not cognizant of what this environment is all about.”

We Must Convince Corporations That ‘Black Still Matters’

Pepper Miller, of the Hunter-Miller Group Inc., is a top-notch African American market research expert and consultant.
Miller explained during a panel that took place at the 40th Rainbow Push Coalition’s annual convention held in Chicago, that many major corporations are second-guessing the need for black-owned media and cultural specific advertising campaigns.

Miller says the Post-Race euphoria, where race isn’t even a topic for discussion in polite circles, is leaving the black consumer, black media and black businesses behind.

“Nobody wants to talk about race today,” Miller said. “People believe it’s forward thinking to not look at race and to not talk about race. So why do we need a black agency? Why do we need black media — because people are people, is what people say.”

Additionally, Miller explained that in some focus groups, younger African Americans expect to see whites, even when the ad campaign is culture-specific for them. This attitude strengthens the argument that a culture-specific ad buy, with a black-owned agency, to a black-urban media buy, may not be needed.

“In focus groups, young people will say today, ‘Where are the white people in the ads?’ That’s what is happening today. Realistically, you get a group of black people and you show them a black ad with a black moderator and they ask, where are the white people?” she said.

Miller said that she helps corporations to understand the value of the black consumer and that now more than ever, the black audience is not a monolithic one.

“Corporations are saying no to black people. Obviously, they’re saying no because of budget [concerns], but they’re also saying no because language is the cultural identifier today; not what we do or how we think. So I try to bring some understanding to them and help them to understand that race and identity and ethnicity is very important in culture; they are intertwined. I help corporations understand the value of black people, that when some of them say in focus groups, ‘where are the white people?’ that that might not be your target,” said Miller.

During the civil rights era, blacks generally moved in sync, but that’s no longer the case.

“African Americans today are more splintered than they’ve ever been before. We are making sure black culture is alive in these industries,” said Miller.

Pepper Miller concluded, “Black media, still matter. Black still matters.”

Rolling Out

Father’s Day Cards for Black Moms by Hallmark

by Ayvaunn Penn, Your Black World

According to sales reports, black folks are not opposed to Hallmark’s Mahogany line of greeting cards especially made for African Americans. The ethnic designs have been something of a hit — enough to keep the line on the market. When it comes to their Father’s Day and Mother’s Day lines, however, reports say that people are having mixed feelings. “Happy Father’s Day, Mom” cards largely secluded to the Mahogany line are rubbing some people like Tonya Bryant the wrong way. Whereas Bryant has an appreciation for the cards because she gave both of her divorced parents Father’s Day greetings when she was growing up, it bothers her that Hallmark makes these cards primarily for the Mahogany line. Specifically, Bryant states:

“I don’t think that it’s appropriate for Hallmark to sell all of these cards under their Mahogany line because they are, in essence, saying that only black people live in single parent homes, which is the furthest thing from the truth….They are cheapening the great idea of celebrating single moms on Father’s Day by offering these products to mostly African-Americans. In this day and age, there are people from all walks of life that don’t have fathers in the homes, and I think that they should reconsider their marketing strategies and just offer them to people of all colors.”

In response to consumers like Bryant, Kristi Ernsting — a Hallmark spokesperson — says that cards like this are created due to consumer demand and are meant to celebrate single parents of all races. Ernsting states, “[Hallmark} also released one card that was specifically addressed to all mothers in our general Hallmark line. It is our goal to create cards for the wide range of people’s relationships so that everyone who seeks to connect in a positive way with others can find a card that will meet their needs.”

Minimalist City Logos by Albin Holmqvist

logos designed by Albin Holmqvist.

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Byron Allen to launch new HD channel targeted to African-Americans

Entertainment Studios, the company owned by Byron Allen, has announced that is will launch a new high-definition channel early next year with programming intended for an African-American audience. Legacy TV, which has not yet made a deal with a TV or satellite provider for carriage, is expected to offer programs on black history and biographies of African-American leaders.

"The mission of Legacy.TV is to celebrate African-American excellence everywhere," said Allen, the former comedian who heads Entertainment Studios. "Our goal and commitment is to make Legacy.TV an engaging and compelling platform which communicates the entire African- American journey. All content will be originally produced in-house to insure the highest level of creative quality, as well as the ability to distribute our content globally on all platforms."

Entertainment Studios currently produces six niche-oriented HD channels including ES.TV, Comedy.TV, Pet.TV, Car.TV, Recipe.TV, and MyDestination.TV. All are presently being carried by Verizon's FiOS TV service and other outlets.

Black Media’s Next Steps: An Interview with Benét J. Wilson

By Maurice Cherry

With the current rapidly changing technological advances, traditional Black media is in a state of flux. Black media in 2010 faced the same sorts of challenges as mainstream news organizations have also faced, and many outlets have started plans to upgrade their online presence to reach out to readers and form communities. But with newspaper and magazine circulation decreasing for Black media outlets, is it too late to innovate?

I spoke with Benét J. Wilson to get an informed perspective on the matter. Benét is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the lead blogger for the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force’s NABJDigital blog. Benét is also the online managing editor for McGraw-Hill’s Aviation Week business aviation channel, and is a member of Black Social Media Professionals and the Online News Association.

Maurice Cherry: Among magazines, television, and blogging (and other forms of media), what is the current state of Black media right now?

Benét J. Wilson: I think it’s a mixed bag. There are some great examples of what’s good, likeDallas South, theGrio and The Root, just to name a few, but I also see the traditional Black press struggling to keep up technologically and financially with all the rapid changes in journalism. I see it as a lack of human and financial resources to create and maintain web sites that attract and keep those all-important eyeballs, especially when there is so much content to choose from these days.

MC: Given the fast-changing technological landscape, what should Black media do to keep up?

BJW: I say take a page from Ebony and do a redesign. After decades of dormancy, I became a subscriber again. My timing was great, because it happened to be the first issue under its new design. I found the new design to be easy to read, with many articles that related to my life. Of course, no publication is worth its salt these days without a strong companion website and an iPad app. Black media organizations need to train their existing staff on topics like search engine optimization (SEO), content management systems (CMS), social media, etc., to ensure that they are targeting the correct audience. Most importantly, they need to find a niche. “Black people” is a very broad demographic, and what a 40-year-old, college-educated, East Coast suburban working mother likes is completely different from what a twentysomething urban West Coast black man will like. Black press can no longer afford to be all things to all Black people.

MC: Are there any Black media outlets that are doing it right?

BJW: The three sites I mentioned earlier are a great start. The current state of media reminds me of a scene in the Pixar movie Up. All the dogs in the movie seem to be focused on their task, until someone yells squirrel. Then, their attention is distracted and it’s hard to get them back on focus. I see that as a dilemma faced by all media though, not just the Black media. Getting readers to focus on their publication when there’s so much out there to distract and tempt you is difficult.