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Return to Article: Lawmakers ask agencies to draw in more minority-owned ad firms

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  William, I applaud your part in bringing about the change in civil rights. But it's not 1975 or 1875, it's 2007.

  To imply that I am semi-literate or ignorant because I don't agree with you does nothing for your argument.

  a taxpayer and a federal worker Posted August 17, 2007 1:36 PM
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  I began in advertising in 1966 or 1967, hired by JWT as one of their very first Afro-American employees in a professional position. At the time some clients (Kraft Foods was one) insisted that no black employees were to work on their account. In 1970, I co-founded an agency. In the mid-seventies, although just a two-person shop with a few suppport staff, we won three national CLIO awards: best writing for radio, best public services campaign, and a special award for exceptional merit in marketing. That same year we played a major role in a Silver Anvil winning PR campaign. Had we been a "white" agency I have no doubt that we would have been celebrated, and advertisers and big time agencies would have been knocking at our door. Instead, no one cared. No one phoned. No doors were opened. Given the story and the ignorant and semi-literate comments of the previous commentators, not much has changed in all those years.

  William Fonvielle Posted August 16, 2007 9:38 PM
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  Because if we don't protect these small businesses/agencies then how will they survive? Some of the comments sound like the opportunity is equal across the board and we all know that it's not. Bigger firms have more dollars and more industry recognition. But that doesn't mean that the work is better (especially the niche advertising). This is a country built on democracy for all and you would think that the government would set a precedence of equality.

  Lisa R Posted August 16, 2007 6:45 PM
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  Why is it that we protect some racist/sexist actions under law, but not others? Isn't the point of all this to remove favoritisms based on race or sex? The reality is that it creates advantages based on RACE and SEX. If your want to promote small business to stimulate the economy and promote innovation then do THAT, but do that without racism or sexism.

  valek Posted August 16, 2007 9:07 AM
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  The question that should be asked is are the ads working? If they are then why do we need more cooks in the kitchen, the purpose of the ads are to recruit soldiers not a jobs bill for minorities, other than Kerry the guys listed have 0 military background. Besides the Ex order was signed by a real defense supporter Bill Clinton, he's gone so who cares

  dan ketter Posted August 15, 2007 12:55 PM
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  I agree the Gov. needs to look into more contracts with small businesses but all small businesses. I know in Oklahoma City, Rose State Collage has conferences for small businesses (National Government Procurement Conference), as well as other classes helping small businesses. What I don't understand is how can Blacks, Hispanic, and Latin Business Association all have their own Business Association but if there was a White Business Association it would be called raciest? It's not the Gov's. Fault that some small businesses sold there businesses to European companies if I'm betting for a big profit. That brings up another question isn't the Europeans minority-owned businesses?

  R. Fisher Posted August 15, 2007 9:26 AM
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  Another example of politicians with their heads up their.... If minority contracts don't exist, it is hard to award to them. What the taxpayer should want is the government procuring goods and services for the best value in quality and price, not catering to a particular demographic or VOTING BLOCK.

  That's your example of government waste.

  a taxpayer and a federal worker Posted August 15, 2007 7:38 AM
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  This is strange. Black own ad firms have been constantly neglected when it comes to a piece of the ad dollars. There is never any enforcement of this neglect because fewer dollars are not allocated to those who do not reach out to minorities. If you don't reach out and the business dries up then the adequate excuse is that there are none available. This is the continuous trend with many of the tasking related to minority participation. Decrease the number significantly and then whenever the discussion concerning why aren't there more participation and legitimate excuse of lack of entities exist.

  Wayland Burton Posted August 15, 2007 6:50 AM