Corporate
insider exposes racism 'hustle' within advertising, marketing and
pr industries.
Released on
= June 6, 2005, 7:22 pm
Press Release
Author = ProdigalPen, Inc. Publishing
Industry = Advertising
Press Release
Summary = After over a decade working for Fortune 500 companies,
a marketing idustry insider tells all about the rampant racism,
discimination and unethical practices the industry engages in and
how their effects on consumers and
business professionals of color.
Press Release
Body = (Chicago,
IL June 7, 2005)— “It’s been going on since Day
One— the prejudice and
institutionalized discrimination,” says Hadji Williams, a
12-year veteran of the advertising industry. In his new book, KNOCK
THE HUSTLE: HOW TO SAVE YOUR JOB AND YOUR LIFE FROM CORPORATE AMERICA
(ProdigalPen, Inc., $24.95), Williams exposes what he calls, “the
hooded white elephant in the room that my over 80% white and in
many markets over 95% White industry still refuses to fix.”
As a respected
copywriter and brand consultant, Williams has spent the last decade
plus with top Chicago and New York ad agencies and marketing firms
building major Fortune 500 brands including Mercedes Benz, Wrigley’s
Gum, Cingular Wireless, and
Radio Shack. “I wrote KNOCK THE HUSTLE, in part, after years
of talking with black and minority professionals across the country
and realizing just how entrenched and systemic the prejudice remains
and how much it’s still hurting everyone.”
KNOCK THE HUSTLE
is filled with surprisingly current case studies that illustrate
the severity with which racism still pollutes Madison Ave., from
personnel decisions to the way minority culture and consumers are
manipulated to build brands to the Jim Crow-like policies under
which accounts are awarded and compensated.
“First
off, we still treat diversity as mainly blondes, brunettes, redheads
plus gay versions thereof. They march out a few minority internship
programs for show but that’s about it. Secondly, white women
benefit from corporate diversity and affirmative action more than
everyone else and everyone knows exactly why. Plus, what few Black
professionals we have are paid less than their white counterparts
and given fewer opportunities to excel.
Thirdly, Black
agencies are often banned from pitching mainstream (white) accounts,
which are the most lucrative.” Williams explains. “Furthermore,
Black agencies, media outlets and vendors are grossly underpaid
and disrespected despite consistently pulling in white consumers
in addition to their minority core. For generations White agencies
and marketers have made hundreds of billions of dollars
off of Black consumers and Black culture (music, fashion, entertainers,
etc.) yet they screw Black marketing and media professionals out
of their share. It’s time to stop it.”
But Williams
notes that KNOCK THE HUSTLE goes beyond blame. “My generation
isn’t about excuses or handouts; we’re about solutions.
So while KNOCK THE HUSTLE brings the ruckus, it also delivers intelligent,
fair solutions that benefit all,” Williams claims. “Marketing
is a multi-billion dollar industry— there’s more than
enough cream for everybody.”
Williams also
believes that KNOCK THE HUSTLE’s unapologetically urban perspective
offers fresh, innovative solutions for business’s toughest
challenges ranging from corporate ethics and leadership, to diversity
and workforce management, to branding and building consumer relationships.
“Whether you’re a CEO, a secretary, in college
or right off ‘the block,’ KNOCK THE HUSTLE will broaden
your mind and empower you to excel in business and in society in
a way that you can be proud of.”
######
KNOCK THE HUSTLE:
HOW TO SAVE YOUR JOB AND YOUR LIFE FROM CORPORATE AMERICA By Hadji
Williams (ISBN # 1-932523-00-6, 384 pp. Price: $24.95.) Available
July 2005 at www.knockthehustle.com plus Barnes & Noble and
Borders.
Web Site = http://knockthehustle.com
Contact Details
= Hadji Williams
ProdigalPen, Inc. Publishing
PO Box 236
3023 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (312) 375-7141
info@knockthehustle.com
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