Love Becomes a Fight for Freedom: New Ad Council Campaign Review

Philip McKenzie is the On Influence and Influencers column at MediaVillage. In recent weeks we have seen renewed attention on the challenges African Americans face as they navigate life in the United States. The murder of George Floyd has turned an unflinching eye on the life and death reality of policing in this country. As a result, many white Americans are coming to grips with the fact of systemic racism that stands in stark relief to their lived experience. Corporations are finally waking up to the effects that these experiences have on their ability to attract and retain diverse talent. The advertising and marketing industries are not immune and have lagged many other sectors when it comes to diversity and inclusion. The release of the letter A Call to Change, signed by over 600 advertising and marketing Black professionals, is the most recent urgent demand that the industry must change. Against the backdrop comes a new PSA Fight for Freedom that is meant to inspire Americans to fight for racial equality.