I was delighted to give my views on the future of the UK Advertising Industry during AdWeek Europe 2015. Adding to the expert panel debate about equality in Britain’s advertising industry earlier on Thursday 26th March 2015, the live show during Advertising Week Europe (23rd-27th Mar) allowed participants to give their thoughts on a range of topics. Chairman of advertising agency TBWA London Trevor Beattie once said, the industry is “too posh, too white, too male”. The facts certainly support that view, with the industry nearly 87% white compared to the Capital which has a 40% BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) population profile. The industry fails too in almost all other diversity categories across class, religion, gender and across disabilities. Yet including a more diverse mix of backgrounds, experiences and opinions within teams is proven to make businesses more profitable and more successful. It also gives rise to the opportunity for advertising more effectively to ethnic consumers, as one audience member pointed out during the debate!
The Diversity Delusion Debate