Diversity & Inclusion Council

For us, it’s a no-brainer. Seeing things as our increasingly diverse consumer base sees them can only bolster our effectiveness as marketing professionals. So we’ve worked hard to welcome a varied workforce into the ranks of Erwin-Penland.

The truth, as anyone who’s worked in marketing longer than a commercial break understands, is that the world is not exclusively populated by suburban types, aged 18-35. As that great philosopher Gary Coleman once put it: “It takes different strokes to move the world.” Or the needle.

So when we talk about recruiting—putting depth on our bench—we’re talking about more than great graphic design skills or spreadsheet prowess. Although, that’s important; indeed, it’s essential. But we also think it’s important for the agency to be able to mix up our teams in ways that add a perspective that may be missing otherwise.

Would we really want to have all guys deciding what color phones to feature in a Verizon Wireless ad? Or just white designers working on posters for How Sweet the Sound, a promotion targeting African-Americans? And a working mother may have something to add about how Denny’s markets its kids meals.

That’s what our Diversity & Inclusion Council is for: to help us make better connections with the marketplace and each other in a way that benefits our clients. We’re not trying to change the world. We’re just making sure we reflect it.