Discussion of a minority presence in advertising often speaks to the faces that are lacking in print ads, TV commercials and other media. But what about the faces on the other side of the boardroom table who create these ads? Are the critics of advertising just as worried about the lack of personnel in account management, media, creative, and other aspects of the industry as they are about the lack of representation of advertising’s product? Is minority talent actually taking part in the production process of this billion-dollar business? This site takes a look at some of the few African-American owners of advertising firms and the future of minority owned ad agencies.

Advertising’s history has long been remembered as beginning with the agency man in the gray flannel suit, including a white face to complete the picture. That time has not been long past and it definitely is not forgotten.

With the changes in the dress code of the average agency, the diversity of the office has changed only slightly. While women, African-Americans and other minorities have earned positions, interestingly, the industry that looks to African American, and other urban spaces and minority venues and experiences for advertising material, is still amazingly white and male.

As advertisers realized the power of the minority dollar, corporate dictates were to serve its minority population. In the 1960’s target markets were to be strictly defined into classifications primarily determined by race, and most agencies took to this method like a horse with blinders on. They depending on stereotypical images and long-standing assumptions, yet they failed to understand the nuances and representations of the African-American or any other particular "other" culture, seemingly failing to reach the audiences it so desperately wanted. African-American advertisers would attempt to change the way this business saw the African-American target market and would lead the way in providing this audience with images which would build brands and relationships with its consumers.

Black agencies evolved, not because blacks couldn’t get into the business, but because advertisers needed to do a better job of targeting African-American consumers.

During the 70's, business was being impacted by cultural, economic, and other social forces which would make the environment ripe for Black agencies to emerge. Talk of civil rights the decade past offered a glimpse of hope for Black businesspeople. There was a "heightened consciousness" which had huge corporations seaching for Black suppliers and had the federal government placing money in the hands of minority businessmen as hush money. Unfortunately, this money was often placed with people with little or no experience nor capital with which to ensure success. Such notable advertising failures were John F. Small Advertising and Zebra Associates which both died in the mid-seventies.