How Diverse Candidates Can Ride the Ad Industry Boom (VIDEO)

It39s well established that diversity is good for business and most have committed time and resources to advancing DEI efforts But action yields results so organizations need to implement the recruitment and development necessary to advance women and people of color industry executives said That starts as early as high school and college and extends to entrylevel employees and even the CSuite These issues and more were addressed during two panels at MediaVillage39s Advancing Diversity Week virtual conferenceamp160amp160quotDiversity is the outcome of creating a really inclusive environment so people feel like they39re being heardquot saidamp160Michele Laven iHeart Media39s Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer speaking on the panel quotCareer Opportunities in Media and Advertisingquot The panel which was moderated by Mizell Stewart Vice President News Performance Talent ampamp Partnerships Gannett USA TODAY Network and also included Brian Vaught Executive Vice President Diversity Equity and Belonging Publicis Media Ci Ci Holloway Chief People and Diversity Officer Intersection LaToya Johnson Director Inclusion Diversity ampamp Equity Gannett USA TODAY Network and Laurel Rossi CoFounder and Executive Chair Creative Spirit US focused on providing prospective employees with more opportunities to learn about job opportunities across the marketing ecosystem several of which might surprise them You can watch that panel in its entirety in the video at topTake the advertising technology industry Ad tech is a fastgrowing sector as companies raceamp160to hire throughout departments This was the subject of the panel quotCareer Opportunities in Digital Media and AdTechquot which was moderated by MediaVillage and AdvancingDiversityorg founder Jack Myers and included Donnie Williams Executive Vice President Chief Digital Officer Horizon Media and Todd Tran Chief Strategy Officer Teads You can watch that panel in its entirety belowWhile global leader Teads is focused on hiring a diverse workforce including more women some candidates might shy away from a technology firm because they assume it is male dominated Tran explained But Teads39 workforce skews female with women making up 51 of its employees worldwide and 53 in the USquotJust because the word tech is in the description of the company doesn39t mean it is male dominatedquot Tran saidTo engage more diverse candidates Teads is also partnered with the T Howard Foundation which works to increase diversity in media and is stepping up recruiting at Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesDiversity can be something unconventional Tran added such as an unusual upbringing culture or personal experienceHow Can Job Seekers Be SeenHow can candidates get a foot in the door To advance a diverse workforce the executives on the panels agreed that organizations must improve recruiting and development After all many young people might not be aware of all the careers in the advertising and media industries from accounting and technology to creativePaid internships and apprenticeships are key to developing a young and diverse workforce Agencies and brands can work with organizations like the T Howard Foundation American Advertising Federation and HBCUs to establish programs and recruit prospectsTo teach college students about the advertising business media holding company Publicis Media created the Multicultural Talent Pipeline a threeday boot camp for students from more than 100 universities Since it launched 12 years ago the program has grown to more than 400 per session Publicis also offers apprenticeships and awards 1000 scholarships to students interested in the industry to help with educational costsquotIt39s great that we39re building awareness but how are we helping people get jobs Through internships and fulltime opportunitiesquot said Publicis39 VaughtJob seekers should also consider an entrylevel position that could launch a successful career notedamp160Intersection39s Holloway Her company is hiring sales coordinators across the country a position that requires less than one year of experience It could be a springboard Holloway noted quotIt may not be the job you thought you39d get but it is a great way to learn the business and it also gives you access to people and leadership which provides excellent networking opportunitiesquot she saidWhen a candidate lands an interview HR executives are encouraging people of color to spotlight their differences Perhaps you put yourself through school were a student athlete or a performer More experienced candidates can talk about their career journey and where it has zigged and zaggedquotEmployers today are looking for diversity in experiences and thought and where you39re coming fromquot iHeart39s Laven explained quotIt is so important at this moment in time to really be your authentic selfquotquotMost people come with a list of skillsquot said Creative Spirit US39 Rossi amp160quotWhat I39m really looking for is something unique about them that they can add to the culturequotDiversity can be something unconventional Tran added such as an unusual upbringing culture or personal experienceOf course when it comes time for the meeting candidates should do their homework on a company and come armed with strong pointed questions about the person they39re meeting with the industry and the firm Gannett39s Johnson addedHow Ongoing Support Fosters DiversityDiversity doesn39t end with recruiting DEI and HR executives agreed Rather companies need to encourage employees to share ideas and recognize their ideas and identities iHeart Media hosts employee forums and offers robust diversity and inclusion Recently the company sponsored an quotInnovation Monthquot initiative asking employees to submit ideas to improve the company and eight proposals will be implementedAt Gannett USA TODAY Network executives and hiring managers participate in training ranging from talent sources to onboarding and employee development Johnson explained noting that Gannett employees can participate in resource groups that provide training and support quotThese serve as a safe space for open conversations and provide opportunities to raise awarenessquot she saidamp160amp160Managers need to check in with their employees about how they39re doing and where there is room for improvement Horizon Media39s Williams manages a team of about 400 employees and he checks in with three to four team members per day to hear about their struggles and successes The agency also conducts surveys including anonymous questionnaires to query ideas and measure its effortsquotI let people know I am a sounding board and they39re valued members of this community and organizationquot Williams saidquotThink of your career as a lattice not a ladderquot suggested Publicis Media39s Vaught who majored in Management Information Services and never expected to work in DEI quotWhether you39re just starting out or midcareer don39t get too stuck on what you majored in or your previous jobsquotCandidates should embrace new possibilities for advancementquot he said quotYou need to be open to all the possibilitiesquotClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160amp160

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How Diverse Candidates Can Ride the Ad Industry Boom (VIDEO)

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