Omnicom Hires Chief Diversity Officer

The advertising agency world has long been critisized for its lack of hiring diversity. Women, people of color, and those of varying socio-economic status have not necessarily been equally represented on Madison Avenue.

There was a saying when I started out in advertising (at $15K per year): "Advertising's a wonderful profession if your parents can afford to send you."

Through self-awareness, and a bit of legal proding, agencies have, of course, expanded their hiring practices. Now comes word of a big step towards diversity, at one of the largest advertising holding companies.

Tiffany R. Warren, VP-director of multicultural programs and community outreach for Havas' Arnold Worldwide, has been hired by Omnicom Group to be its first chief diversity officer.

The creation of such a position in the C-suite is a clear sign that Omnicom, the world's largest marketing services company, has made it a priority to improve its track record for the hiring and retention of minority ad executives.

Warren is a prime force behind AdColor, an industry group created in concert with the 4A's, the American Advertising Federation, Advertising Club of New York, Association of National Advertisers, Advertising Research Foundation and Arnold to foster diversity in the ad and marketing fields.

Source: Advertising Age