Diversity in Advertising Career Day on September 20, 2007 in NYC.

On September 20, 2007, Diversity in Advertising Career Day — a one-day job fair and conference—will be held at the New York Hilton to celebrate the first anniversary of this historic initiative and to ensure that advertising agencies, corporate advertisers, public relations firms and media companies have the opportunity to further their diversity programs and connect with thousands of experienced, highly qualified women and multicultural candidates.

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg also pointed out that, “We all benefit from a workplace that reflects our diverse city…I commend all those participating in this event for their commitment to sustaining and strengthening our proud tradition of inclusiveness.”

Presented by 25-year veteran diversity career fair producer Shomex Productions, sponsored by Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek and Marketing y Medios, and partnered with The New York Times, Diversity in Advertising Career Day was created to augment each organization’s diversity recruiting programs and help every one create a staff that mirrors the multicultural consumer marketplace.

The event will bring seasoned, hard-to-find, mid-career minority advertising professionals together with more than 60 companies who understand the importance of diversity to the industry’s long-term success. In demand will be candidates with the following expertise: account management, account planning, accounting/finance, administrative, ad sales, art direction, branding, casting/talent management, commercials, communications, copywriting/editing, customer service, digital, editorial, education/training, engineering, executive management, film and broadcast TV, finance/business operations, games, graphic artists/design, Internet/new media, IT, legal, marcom, marketing, media buying/planning, product development, production, public relations, publishing, QA/QC, research, sales/business development, web design and writing.

“Forward-thinking companies have embraced their responsibility to the communities they serve. The fact that last year’s agreements include provisions for the City to closely monitor the diversification process is indicative of the industry’s commitment to affect real change,” said Lew Shomer, president & CEO of Shomex. “Nevertheless, despite their best efforts, they have been stymied by their inability to target skilled multicultural professionals.”

“We applaud the efforts of advertising agencies, corporate advertisers, public relations firms and media companies to revolutionize their workforces and have launched Diversity in Advertising Career Day to ensure their success,” he said.

“The perception in the past has been that cultural diversity was not a priority for Madison Avenue and multicultural candidates have traditionally steered clear,” Shomer explained. “Now, Diversity in Advertising Career Day will roll out the red carpet for women and minorities, exposing them to the vast opportunities that mainstream advertising practitioners are eager to provide. There is no doubt that we are on the brink of a profound shift in the industry and that the contributions that these high-caliber, experienced professionals will make will rock the advertising world.”

For more information about participating in Diversity in Advertising Career Day as an exhibitor or as an attendee seeking job interviews, log onto http://www.diacareerday.com