The issue of diversity is frequently brought up across industries. It’s popularly framed in the context of top-level executive positions at Fortune 500 companies, head football coaching jobs and elected government officials. But what does this conversation look like when we discuss it in the context of digital media, given its prominence in today’s modern culture?
In the interactive and social media realm, the user-to-creator ratio is staggering when it comes to minorities. At one time, this could be framed in the context of access, which landed minorities on the wrong side of the “digital divide.” But as technology becomes less expensive and more ubiquitous, some of those issue have been addressed — and yet the disproportionate ratio persists.
So how can this ever-increasing minority access and use translate into industry positions? And does the type of use dictate whether or not digital interest will eventually equate to more agency positions?
While strides continue to be made by organizations like ADCOLOR – a coalition that aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the advertising, marketing and media industries — the industry stereotypes are prevalent. The cultural perception (and projection) of digital creatives are the young, hip, black-rimmed glasses-wearing white guy or girl with a messenger bag. Perhaps most importantly, how does the culture picture the leaders and CEOs of digital agencies or media?
Despite these hurdles, I am confident that there is a changing tide when it comes to diversity in the digital and social media worlds.
Read more.
