Arnold Tops Agencies on Minority Hiring Goals

The NYC Commission on Human Rights has released the first set of goals submitted by the 15 advertising agencies that in September pledged to increase minority hiring and retention at the urging of the commission, reports AdAge (via MarketingVOX).

Agencies’ stated goals varied widely - even the definition of “minority” differed. One exec said the working definition is “non-white,” therefore excluding white women. But Interpublic Group’s agencies have set what IPG calls aspirational goals for recruiting, promoting and retaining women.

Some agencies presented detailed breakdowns - Interpublic outlined the percent of minority employees it intends to recruit, promote and retain; others, such as Omnicom Group’s BBDO, DDB, Merkley and PHD, presented goals for new minority hires in two categories: management and professional.

Arnold, Ogilvy & Mather and Interpublic aimed to create and implement significant programs to recruit and retain minorities. Arnold’s New York office holds quarterly seminars on multicultural marketing and created a program called AMEN, or Arnold Multicultural Employee Network, that meets regularly to provide support and advice.