Dutch ad industry launches diversity fund and programme

bvA has joined forces with 16 other industry associations to set up Dutch Marketing Diversity – a fund and programme which aims to bring together different stakeholders to structurally and measurably improve diversity and inclusion in the Dutch marketing industry, free of racism.

Founding members include ADCN, bvA, DDMA, Dutch Digital Agencies, Dutch Digital Design, Esprix, GVR, IAB Netherlands, IDEA, IncludeNow, Jonge Honden, MWG, Orange Lions, RA*W, SIRE, SpinAwards and VEA. All participating organisations have made commitments to improve diversity within their boards, juries and committees in the next six months. Their boards and teams will also actively work on inclusion within their respective organisations and the wider industry and collaborate on how to prevent racism in marketing.

With its mission to “co-create a healthy future based on equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism”, a foundation and a Diversity Council will be announced soon. Several brands, agencies, publishers, and media and production companies have joined the programme as partners, including Unilever, DPG Media, TBWA\NEBOKO, Zigt, Achtung!, Tony's Chocolonely, DEPT, dawn, Buutvrij for life, VICE, Alfred, &samhoud creative tech, Studio Dumbar, HERC the agency, Fitzroy, Sizzer, Qontent Matters, truus, Merkle Nederland, GRRR, Cloudfactory, thonik and NEEW, among others. Companies can participate in the fund and programme with a contribution of 1000 Euros or more.

The raised funding will be used to kick off the programme’s three main pillars:

• Research – independent investigation planned to commence in August 2020 into the state of diversity, inclusion and racism in the Dutch marketing industry;
• Management training – training for management teams of participating companies to help solve challenges including the lack of diversity hires; and
• Talent training – coaching, mentorship programmes and internships to accelerate young talent and give equal opportunity to underrepresented communities.

For more information, visit the Dutch Marketing Diversity website or contact bvA.