Exposing Anti-White Harassment + Discrimination in US Media Companies
FAQs
Dentsu*
FAIL
dentsu.com
TYPE: Japanese Ad Agency, PR Company
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS:
OWNER: Dentsu Group, Inc.
U.S. Subsidiaries: 360i LLC, Amnet, Amplifi, Cardinal Path, Carat USA, Data2Decisions, DEG (Digital Evolution Group), Dentsu Creative, Dentsu Holdings USA, Inc., Dentsu X, Global Mind, iProspect, Isobar, M8, Merkle, Inc., Mitchell Communications, MKTG, MuteSix, Posterscope USA, psLIVE, The StoryLab.
2024 REVENUE: $9.2 billion
2024 HEADCOUNT: 71,127
150 E. 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
jeremy.miller@dentsu.com
+1 800 367 5690
Dentsu U.S.'s DEI strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kai Deveraux Lawson (a Black woman), SVP Diversity Equity & Inclusion from April 2021 to September 2023, reporting to Jacki Kelley, the CEO of Dentsu Americas, embedded DEI into Dentsu’s business strategy, including supplier diversity and equitable hiring practices. In her words, “Equity means holding ourselves accountable with data and action, not just words. It’s about dismantling barriers and building systems that work for everyone.”* She championed measurable outcomes, such as increasing representation of underrepresented groups in leadership. Industry peers and articles describe Lawson as a “trailblazer” and “unapologetic advocate” for Black professionals. Lawson was instrumental in launching Dentsu’s DEI framework, which included employee resource groups (ERGs) for Black, Latinx, AAPI, and other marginalized groups, as well as training programs on unconscious bias. She also pushed for “equity audits.” A recurring emphasis in Dentsu's DEI communications is accountability and measurement, with the organization stating it will use data to track progress against goals and ensure leadership takes ownership through KPIs and a "Return on Inclusion" framework. Globally, Dentsu employs a structure with regional Chief Equity Officers (including for the Americas) and dedicated DEI leaders collaborating to implement the strategy and share best practices under the "One dentsu" operating model, aiming to ensure DEI is championed from the top and integrated into regional management. However, the agency's emphasis on achieving specific representation goals, such as exceeding its 2025 target for overall BIPOC representation by mid-2022 (reaching 31%), and its ongoing focus on increasing BIPOC representation at the executive level (24.1% in mid-2022 against a 25%+ goal), raises questions about potential preferential treatment in hiring and promotion decisions. While the agency articulates a commitment to fair recruitment practices, basing decisions on personality, abilities, and aptitude, the focus on achieving specific demographic targets could create pressure to prioritize candidates from underrepresented groups, potentially disadvantaging White applicants or employees. Dentsu also integrates DEI into its client service offerings, positioning it as essential for brands aiming to authentically connect with diverse audiences and maintain "cultural fluency" in a changing marketplace, with the goal described not as "equity-first" but "equity-throughout," permeating all functions, including the creative and media briefing processes for client campaigns. The agency's external initiatives include its "Economic Empowerment" offering aimed at increasing media spend with Black-owned and diverse-owned media companies. While promoting economic empowerment is a laudable goal, the focus on directing resources towards specific groups could be perceived as excluding or disadvantaging other businesses. The fact that a 2023 DEI report was taken down from their website adds to concerns about transparency and commitment to public reporting of DEI progress.
*DEI "equity" involves prioritizing certain racial, gender, or identity groups with targeted resources or opportunities to ensure equal outcomes at the cost of fairness and individual merit. DEI’s equity focus shares some similarities with communism and socialism in its group-based, redistributive approach, and with totalitarianism in ideological coercion.
This information is based on publicly available information, including websites, case studies, and news articles from a recent period. To ensure you have the most accurate and current information, please refer to the company's official announcements. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice; consult a licensed attorney for specific legal guidance.
DieDEI.co is waiting on internal materials for a fuller picture of Dentsu’s DEI program. Follow us on social and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
NOTE: Client lists are subject to change. This information is based on publicly available information, including websites, case studies, and news articles from a recent period. To ensure you have the most accurate and current information, please refer to the company's official announcements.