• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, June 16, 2020

In a first, Interpublic last week disclosed the racial makeup of its senior level and professional workforce.

Now, other holding companies and agencies are preparing to make, or at least are contemplating, similar moves.

Publicis Groupe is preparing to publish diversity data specific to the U.S. in a bid to better measure and advance progress. For companies based in France and other parts of Europe, the process is a little trickier; there are some laws on the books the prohibit collecting employee data about race, religion and sexual orientation.

The company noted it has identified ways to remain in compliance with those laws while publishing U.S.-specific data.

Sources also indicate there are discussions ongoing at WPP about publishing similar data for its U.S. workforce, but no specifics yet.

Also, IPG agency R/GA is holding a live streaming session on Thursday, June 18, that will explore racial imbalances within the creative community. The session, part of the agency’s R/GA Live series, will feature CEO Sean Lyons, Carl Desir, global executive D&I director talent experience, and Kelly Harrison, senior director marketing and communications.

The agency says it will share its workforce gender and diversity data and discuss some actions and the broader approach it is taking to address diversity and inclusion issues.

See here for more details.