derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 18 Enough. Black people are: • Educated enough • Experienced enough • Creativity enough • Talented enough Enough. Most of the times, when a Black person applies or interviews for a position they are more than enough.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 17 The idea of hope hits different among Black people. Black people participate in American society hoping one day the USA will live up to its claims of freedom and equality.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 16 Black people can be and are experts on more things than race related subjects. Simple right. Then look at the make-up of speakers at industry events, panels, articles and podcasts. Who gets the micophone speaks volumes.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 15 Thinking around DEI is wrong. (Remember, these are my thoughts) DEI should address conditions and thinking that prevent people, mainly Blacks due to historical & societal issues we all know, from being treated equally.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 14 Don't believe the hype. Romantic love is alive and well in the Black community, as it always has been. Uh, R&B has some of the greatest love songs. Happy Valentine’s Day.

I am not anti AI. I simply believe people are investing way too much time and energy in learning to use AI without putting forth the same effort into learning to better concept, write stronger copy and art direct better.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 13 An actor being Black doesn't mean that White members off the audience can't relate to what's going on and being said. The reality is that those who can't relate, refuse to see past the actor being Black. Who is the problem?

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 12 Code switching is bad for business. No. I won't define it. Put in the work - look it up. Code switching blurs reality, and quiets different voices and views. Yet, for too many Blacks it's the only way to stay employed.

derek's Black History thought of the day Day 11 One of the costs to being Black in America is knowing that no matter how qualified you are for whatever you do, some White person will challenge your being in that space - while claiming not to be racist.

I'm old. I don't need new friends. I said what I said. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 8 This ain't about me solely but I'm going to use me as an example because I know what I have and still do experience. So, know that although I talk about myself, this is about many Black people.

This is how a Super Bowl spot should introduce something. And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof. I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...

Me last night watching what passed for Super Bowl commercials.

Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising. Help me understand.

Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising. Help me understand.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 8 "He don't know me very well, do he." Bugs Bunny nailed it with that one. You can't know someone you refuse to understand. You can't understand someone you refuse to see. You can't see someone you refuse to recognize.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 8 Brands that "don't see color," may not see as much sales and profit. Black people make things "cool." Black consumers buying certain products says to other groups that those products are cool to buy. www.nielsen.com/insights/201...

Sat in the audience for the recording of 4 podcast episodes of "At The Table With Chef J." I did an episode early on to support her. She told me today that I have to do another episode. Mine is #15 Roast Beef! www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEqp...

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 7 Black History Month is less of a celebration to me, and more an opportunity for others to see more of what Black culture is than the stereotypes and troupes. It is an invitation to learn about us. To see us.

Things you cannot make up about working in advertising back in the day #3: Open door policies. Hold onto your under-bloomers! There was a time when you could walk over to the president's/CEO's office, and if they didn't appointments , and talk to them. No appointment needed.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 6 Black people don’t want to be hired because they are Black. No one does. We want a fair opportunity at a position based on our abilities, experiences, knowledge and potential. That last word, ‘potential’ is huge.

"Look! I can make a really cool video or image in AI!" Bless your heart. But the concept behind that cool video or image is still weak sauce thinking. Garbage in. Garbage out. A weak concept before AI is still going to be a weak concept with AI - just cooler looking. Maybe.

Copulate AI. How about we put the same energy into being better at our craft first as many are putting into mastering AI. Weak art direction, copywriting and strategy will not be saved by AI. For the love of all that is holy, try being more creative first. Please.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating Nike in response to allegations that the company discriminates against white employees. This is Nike's leadership: about.nike.com/en/company

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 5 Silence is consent. I'll make this quick. Too many Black people can detail experiencing racism at work that other employees/management knew about, and stayed silent. That's not protecting your job - that's giving consent.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 4 "I told the partners that I don't believe a Black man can be a copywriter, and I am going to prove it with you," my group creative director said to me on my first day of work. Nothing I ever did was good enough for him.

Things you cannot make up about working in advertising back in the day #2: Beer carts. I worked at 2 agencies that had a beer cart that would get push around the office once a day. One shop in the 2000's had beer on tap and a wine cellar. Advertising was different.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 3 Dear clients, Free Black owned advertising agencies! Release them from the plantation of only being able to do Black consumers directed work. Take the strategic and creative shackles off these agencies.

derek's Black History Month thought of the day Day 2 DEI is not the villain. The villain is "thinking" that hiring a Black person means hiring a less qualified person. Critics can tell at a glance that a Black person is less qualified. Yeah, I'm saying it. Racist much?

derek's Black History Month thought of the day (Oh, you thought I wasn't going to do something? Silly Rabbits) Day 1: There are still too many "first Black person in this positions/title" waiting to happen. Quick, name a Black CEO of a "hot agency." Not large, 'hot.'

What happens when you let legal and PR craft a letter. Apparently, Minnesota business leaders think they can talk out of both sides of their mouths. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Any leader who gets upset or feels challenged over being asked for their vision is no leader. A leader's vision should not be a secret. Hell, they should be excited about their vision, so much so that you get sick of hearing it.

Never trust a leader who cannot and has not communicated where they are leading you. Who follows someone who has no idea where they are going?

Things you can't make up about working in advertising back in the day #1: Years ago, I was laid off on a Tuesday. That Thursday my "former" boss had my "former" partner call me about all the concepts I'd been telling my partner about but they couldn't find on my computer.

Clarity comes from conflict not consensus. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Companies are so busy trying to get the sale that they forget to let people get to know them. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

"It's a cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstrap..., Martin Luther King This Dr. King may not be known to many of you but he should be. Listen to the man in his own words tell you what he thinks. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xsb...

As much as abhor bullies, cowards I detest even more. Stand for something. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Government is supposed to serve people not serve them up.

Please put the script down, and speak "the vision, the truth, the dream that feels bigger than you, that arrives not from grinding logic but from a place of surrender, inspiration, and sometimes divine interruption." - Ernie Schenck strangealchemy1.substack.com/p/the-transc...

Don't confuse being content with being comfort. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Copywriters, a bit of sage advice from the late Dick Briner, a copywriter's copywriter, and Portfolio Center copywriting teacher, maybe the best. "Write what you want people feel. That means you've got to feel it, you can't be detached from the emotions. Let yourself feel it."

People crap on TV, and I get it. However, there used to be some amazing and brave and thoughtful TV - not just eye candy. This clip from The Twilight Zone describes how we got to where we are with uncanny accuracy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVfp...

My Christmas gift arrived a little late but still an amazing gift of pettiness. www.trumpkennedycenter.org

I just want to hug Naresh Sunkara for writing this. Rejection and hearing "no" too often derails dreams, because we trust that the "experts" know. Do they really? Read this. Then look at the thing you wanted to do, but was rejected. Maybe keep going. substack.com/inbox/post/1...

Advertising is still afraid of the dark. I said what I said. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

BBQ ribs should not fall off the bone. They should have a slight pull to them. This is why we have teeth. If you recommend to me a place with ribs that fall off the bone, you'll lose all recommending privileges as my friend. Out here recommending places so recklessly.🤢

Sometimes working on a brand that you are a huge fan of is the fastest way to learn to hate them. One of the curses of advertising. One of many. Hmmm. Maybe that should be a series - "The curses of advertising."

Seeing all this DEI going on has me livid. Look at this administration, starting with its their leader. You can't say they are the best qualified people for the jobs. White America, never open your mouth to say anything to Blacks about unqualified people being hired. Not. A. Word.🤫

People with no appreciation of advertising cannot teach AI to do great advertising. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...