Exposing Anti-White Harassment + Discrimination in US Media Companies
FAQs
Essence Mediacom
FAIL
essencemediacom.com
TYPE: Media Agency
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS: BlackRock, Vanguard Group, State Street Global Advisors, et al.
OWNER: Publicly Traded
SUBSIDIARIES: AKQA, BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), CMI Media Group, Design Bridge and Partners, Direct Impact, EssenceMediacom, FGS Global, Finsbury, Geometry Global, Grey, GroupM, GroupM Nexus, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Hogarth Worldwide, Kantar, Landor & Fitch, Maxx, Mindshare, Ogilvy, PEP, LLC, Superunion, T&Pm, VML, Wavemaker, et al. (via parent company WPP)
OWNER: GroupM (via WPP plc)
2024 GLOBAL ADVERTISER BILLINGS: $24.5 billion
GLOBAL HEADCOUNT: ~10,000
3 World Trade Center
175 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10007 USA
press@essencemediacom.com
+1 212 912 4200
Essence Mediacom's has a public emphasis on DEI,* particularly its focus on driving client investment in diverse media platforms. The agency's external positioning, highlighted by events like the Cannes Lions panel, showcases a commitment to DEI as a strategic business imperative, but the lack of readily accessible information about internal U.S. DEI policies and workforce diversity data creates ambiguity. The agency's focus on measurable DEI outcomes for clients may inadvertently create a perception of unequal treatment, potentially leading to claims of discrimination or harassment from White employees who may feel excluded from targeted DEI initiatives. Parent company WPP's DEI initiatives, led by Chief Talent & Inclusion Officer LJ Louis (a Black woman) since May 2022, encompass a Racial Equity Taskforce, Black Professionals Network, mandatory unconscious bias training, inclusive hiring practices like blind resume screening, and partnerships to increase representation of underrepresented groups, targeting 30% ethnic minority senior leadership by 2025, while promoting inclusive marketing with major clients, though these efforts must be balanced to avoid potential discrimination claims under New York State’s Human Rights Law. WPP’s shift away from explicit DEI language in 2024 suggests awareness of legal risks, though ongoing programs continue to pose concern.
*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.
Institutional investors like BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and State Street Global Advisors increasingly emphasize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, including diversity and inclusion metrics, in their investment stewardship and proxy voting guidelines. This external pressure from major shareholders of parent company WPP may serve as a significant driver for Essence Media's public commitments and strategic focus on ESG and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Consequently, accountability for the design and impact of DEI initiatives rests primarily with the company's leadership and board, who must navigate these influential investor expectations.
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.
As reported on April 1, 2025 by MM+M, parent company WPP removed references to DEI in its latest annual report, replacing them with "people and culture."
DieDEI.co is waiting on internal materials for a fuller picture of Essence Media’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.