HOW TO GET A JOB IN

THE ADVERTISING
BUSINESS ANYWAY
The Marcus Graham Project recently took a look at data provided
by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to examine the ethnic and
gender diversity of the Advertising/Marketing occupation. What we
found should be an alarming reality to industry professionals,
leaders and consumers alike. The most astonishing findings
include the dearth and decline of African Americans working in the
industry, as well as the severe dearth of African American men in
the field. Examine these numbers against Census data and you
will note that the industry is not reflective of the rich diversity
found in our country.
Population of the industry
2
0
0
6
-
2
0
0
7
2
0
0
8
-
2
0
0
9
2
0
1
0
-
2
0
1
1
2
0
1
2
-
2
0
1
3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
51.85 Women
6.1
African American/Black
2.95 Asian
8.7 Hispanic/Latino
82.25 Caucasian/White
48.6 Women
6.55
African American/Black
3.35 Asian
9.3 Hispanic/Latino
80.9 Caucasian/White
50.05 Women
6.55
African American/Black
3.25 Asian
6.35
Hispanic/Latino
83.85 Caucasian/White
50.55 Women
5.85
African American/Black
10.85 Asian
9.25 Hispanic/Latino
74.05 Caucasian/White
5.85%
African Americans are the only
minority group to have seen a
decrease in representation in over
the last 4 years and currently
represent less than 6% of our
industry
53%
The amount of women overall in the
industry has increased, now
outpacing men, which represent
47% of the business
2.58%
African American Males are one the
most underrepresented groups in
the entire industry
3%
Women only represent 3% of
Creative Directors in the Advertising
Industry
U.S. POPULATION
Caucasian/White African American / Black Hispanic/Latino Asian
77.9 %
13 %
16.9 %
5.1 %
"Those who are unaware of
history are destined to repeat it"
George Santayna
The issues of the lack of diversity, particularly with African
Americans, is not a new discussion. In 1969, Advertising Hall of
Fame Inductee, William "Bill" Sharp wrote a primer to accompany
an industry sponsored initiative called the Basic Advertising
Course, whose aim was to add color to a monochromatic field by
providing intense career training. The program, originally
sponsored by the 4A's and held at J. Walter Thompson in Chicago,
is credited as one of the first programs to address the lack of
diversity in the Advertising industry. 45 Years later, the Marcus
Graham Project is currently republishing the book, to celebrate the
legacy of Bill Sharp, by reminding our community and our industry
of the work that still needs to be done.
Reality, brought to you by:
Create infographics
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Current Population Survey and U.S. Census Data