I have written and rewritten this but was not able to do so without sounding like a victim by the end, so I’ve come up with an idea instead. I’m guided by a quote I heard after one of the recent shootings, I can’t remember which, that said “it’s not the job of the victims to comfort bystanders” or something like that.

Let’s build (if only on paper, but maybe IRL) an agency that has equality as a prime directive. Not just as a line in a handbook, but that is built on it. Not just gender and race, but ideas as well. Someone I respect recently said that advertising, as an industry, has a responsibility to equality because our clients’ customers come from every background known to humankind. As a rule, we need to know how to speak to everyone (to the extent that is possible), and so we need many different voices working together.

In that way, this imaginary agency would be the perfect shop. Assuming it could compete creatively and cost, this agency should have a tidy future.

I propose offering equity in the business, so that success benefits everyone, not just in the form of a paycheck and benefits but at the end of the year as well.

What else? Are there agencies that do this already? Let’s hear from them. Go.