• by Steve McClellan , Staff Writer @mp_mcclellan, August 2, 2013

It’s no secret that diversity—that is the lack of it—continues to be an issue for the ad industry.

And some folks at the holding companies say they’re frustrated that the press focuses on diversity related lawsuits but not on the initiatives they’re taking in-house to address the issue.

Okay, here’s an event that IPG just held. On Wednesday the company announced its IPG Inclusion Awards, honoring agencies and employees who have helped advance the company’s diversity goals. CEO Michael Roth hosted the ceremony in New York City.

That’s great, it really is. But for most media it amounts to a PR ploy for IPG. And the nasty court fight is going to get a lot more readership.

Gauging progress on diversity in Adland is like watching grass grow. Every year another study comes out citing disparities.

The industry can obviously do more. As a certain sneaker company might say, just do it. Hire more minorities in high-level management positions. Get the numbers up.

And show the numbers. The holding companies are required to file reports every year with the EEOC revealing the racial makeup of their work forces but won’t disclose them publicly. The data isn’t meaningful or could be distorted and used against them, they say.  Gimme a break.  Agencies are masters at spin. Let the industry and its critics debate how meaningful those numbers are.