MartinStierJoannaLaneKetyEsquivelAmberLane
In what is known to be a decisive moment for diversity and inclusion in the marketing industry, Hewlett-Packard Global Marketing and Communications Director Martin Stier, Publicis Talent and Inclusion VP Joanna Lane and USAA Corporate Communications VP Amber Seikaly talked about this trend and HP’s success in applying it. They delved deeply into the subject on the first day of Hispanicize 2018, Two years ago, HP challenged its agencies and itself by significantly increasing the number of women and minorities it employed in the U.S. Many other brands like USAA and Verizon have joined the movement. “All these initiatives are interconnected – we have a lot in common and we must make sure that what happens in a given company connects with what happens outside it” Stier said. He also noted that HP is very strong on staying steady, but that isn’t everything: “We need to establish goals and create alliances that lead us to diversity.” According to Seikaly, this revolutionary approach continues to help the industry take the diversity problem seriously and do something about it. “I like to challenge myself, to be brave and relate to things and situations that make a difference” she said. For her part, Lane said it’s time for agencies to pay attention to what’s happening and become part of the change, while insisting that “we mustn’t leave any minority out.” In wrapping up the discussion, Stier said in general terms that the Hispanic market should feel proud of what it has achieved up to now, but warned, “let us not confuse being proud with arrogance.”
