BBDO Minority Education & Training Fund.

BBDO announced the recipients of this year’s BBDO Minority Education and Training (MET) Fund designed to increase the level of diversity in advertising. In all, 16 scholarships and 14 internships were awarded to 30 qualified students. The summer internships begin today, while the scholarships cover the academic year 2002/2003.

The BBDO MET Fund consists of scholarships and internships awarded by all seven BBDO agencies throughout the United States. Since its inception in 2000, the BBDO MET Fund has given out close to $250,000 to more than 70 individuals from 44 different schools. The recipients have included students from a wide variety of schools such as Cornell, Howard, Ithaca College, Michigan State, Princeton, Texas A&M, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, and USC, to name a few. High School seniors have also received awards.

Allen Rosenshine, Chairman and CEO of BBDO Worldwide, said, “As the population continues to become more diverse, our industry needs to become more diverse in order to communicate with consumers effectively. This is not just a moral issue or an ethical issue. It’s also a business issue. Either way you look at it, we must address it.” He added, “As one of the leading agencies, it is only appropriate that BBDO take a proactive role in bringing greater diversity to our industry.”

The BBDO MET Fund consists of charitable contributions generated within BBDO and specifically earmarked for academic scholarships and internships for minorities, women, and individuals protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act to encourage the pursuit of careers in advertising. Further, the fund will provide money to each BBDO U.S. agency to administer these programs.

To be considered for a BBDO MET Fund scholarship or internship, students are required to complete a BBDO MET Fund application as well as submit two letters of recommendation, their academic transcript and an essay regarding why they want to pursue a career in advertising. Entries are reviewed by a Selection Committee at each BBDO U.S. agency, and nominations are then submitted for final approval to the BBDO MET Fund Advisory Committee. Winners are notified by the appropriate BBDO agency and dollars are distributed by the New York Community Trust.

For a complete list of winners CLICK above on ‘More Images’.