Good news on diversity hiring
Amidst all the doom and gloom lately, it was nice to see some positive news come out about the marketing world this week. Many major ad agencies apparently are doing a better job of hiring a diverse groups of employees, according to the New York City Human Rights Commission.
Two years ago, 16 agencies signed an agreement that included minority hiring goals. Eleven of those met or exceeded their goals for 2007, says Patricia Gatling, chair of the commission, speaking at a public hearing. The average goal for diverse hiring was 18% but the average result among shops that met or exceeded that goal was 25%. Some agencies, like Ogilvy, are increasing their goals for this year.
Diversity in hiring means diversity in ideas which means more creativity and better advertising, PR and marketing efforts. That equation should be clear to everyone in the business by now. And hopefully its reached agencies outside of New York as well.
Bravo to the agencies that met or surpassed their goals and work harder for the others.
