I haven’t had enough caffeine this morning to wrap my head around this, but Bob Jeffrey, CEO of JWT, writes on the Huffington Post that ideas can truly come from anywhere in today’s global, uh, globe:
Last week, as fears of a prolonged consumer recession multiplied, I spent a challenging day with undergraduates at Brown University, exploring my belief that the future of marketing communications lies in ending what I call “idea racism,” in embracing global collaboration and creative solutions no matter where they originate. This week we’ve begun to see that concept play out on the global stage, as genuine partners join forces to coordinate their response to the financial disasters we’re confronting, no longer certain that the American bailout and the British plan of action are the only programs for positive change.
I’ll bet HighJive would find that an interesting phrase.
More thoughts later…
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Jeffrey has used this phrase before. The guy can’t even stop “idea racism” in his own shop, yet he thinks it can happen on a global scale? He might consider spending more time simply fighting good old-fashioned regular racism. Inventing phrases for shock value is so stereotypical of lame ad people. Having this phrase come from an industry where racism remains a persistent problem is the sign of a jackass—although in his defense, it’s been said Jeffrey is actually a decent guy.
I’ve heard good things about him too, from folks who’ve met him. But it’s still a very incendiary phrase for what might be a pretty interesting way of dealing with global problems.
i’m guessing he’s a good guy but didn’t mean it? hmmm… my fave excuse for “stupid.”