DEI: A Shifting Landscape and Its Impact on the Ad Industry

Rethinking DEI: Meta and Beyond

Meta and other megacompanies are reconsidering their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. However, ad agencies remain committed to DEI.

"Brands that have rolled back DEI efforts clearly never understood its true value." - Allison Gilbert, director of DEI at Rapp

The Risk of Unrepresentative Teams

Unrepresentative teams can lead to unrepresentative work, which can damage a brand's reputation regardless of its stance on cultural issues.

"The 'boys club' is alive and well in business, politics, and media." - Zoe Eagle, chief executive officer at Iris London

DEI as an Essential Business Element

DEI is intertwined with organizational culture, innovation, and customer connection. It should not be seen as a separate initiative but rather an integral part of business operations.

"DEI practices should be explicitly linked to and embedded into organizations' business models." - Marc Wilson, executive vice-president at FCB Chicago

The Challenge of Meaningful Implementation

While many companies initially adopted DEI initiatives to respond to societal pressure, these efforts often failed to achieve their stated goals due to a lack of genuine implementation and measurement.

"Even more pursued the wrong goals. Unfortunately, this left the industry with numerous programs that were more performative than impactful." - Renée Tufillaro, strategy director at Baldwin&:

The Backlash and Its Impact

The current political climate in the United States and other countries has sparked a backlash against certain DEI initiatives. Some companies are withdrawing their support, citing fears of losing their dominant position or alienating conservative consumers.

"As a business, it's crucial to understand that DEI is not a passing trend; it is essential to business growth." - Tom Ghiden, managing director at Joan London

The Resilience of Ad Agencies

Despite the challenges, ad agencies remain committed to DEI. They recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion for creativity, innovation, and customer engagement.

"If a mission intended to create opportunities for all is perceived as a zero-sum game, it's time to recalibrate." - Jordan McDowell, strategy director at McCann Manchester

The Importance of Reflection and Refinement

DEI is a dynamic field that requires ongoing reflection and refinement. Agencies and companies must adapt their approaches to remain effective while maintaining their core principles of equity and inclusion.

"The priority lies in conducting ourselves with respect and ensuring practices reflect core values." - Asha Bhayani, senior account director and DEI lead at TBWA