Advancing Diversity Podcast

Since Opening Day back in early April, the expectations have been sky high for both the New York Mets and New York Yankees for what they would achieve in the 2022 season. A lot of positives can be taken away from the year, like the Mets winning over 100 games in the regular season and the Yankees being the only team to have multiple players hit more than 30 home runs (including Aaron Judge breaking the American League home run record). However, it’s hard to celebrate all they have achieved when neither team was able to pull it together during the playoffs, especially with out their seasons ended. The Mets failed to make it out of the Wild Card series, while the Yankees got swept by the same team that has ripped their hearts out for years now in the Houston Astros.

Yankees fan Justin Paura is joined by Mets fan Justin DeVellis as the two air out their grievances with the decisions made by both their teams and breakdown what the future looks like for the organizations. Who will the Mets be able to bring back for 2023? Have we seen the last of Aaron Judge in pinstripes? All this and more, including a preview of the World Series that starts Friday night between the Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies.

In this episode of The Pool we take a journey in the trenches of finance and media with Stan Herriott, VP, Finance Hearst Television.

Stan explains his career journey, why finance and operations are essential to understanding and growing a media business. Diversity efforts within finance/operations are

still under-explored and Stan discusses why this is so important and represents a critical opportunity for the media industry.

In this conversation, Philip spends time with Angela Cannon of UP Entertainment as they explore her lengthy and celebrated career in media from her earliest inspirations to her current SVP role. Along the way they cover how despite the lack of representation Angela was able to find a home in the industry and how diversity has evolved while still facing challenges. She talks about the importance of shepherding a legacy brand while also building for the future with new talent and fresh perspectives. All the while maintaining a commitment to support and mentor new talent in the industry.

In this conversation, Philip talks to Nicklpass CEO Sumorwuo Zaza detailing his career in media through the start of Nicklpass. They detail Zaza’s earliest days growing up with politically active parents and how that impacted the lens through which he saw media and particularly journalism. Zaza’s describes his life as a tapestry and he brings that perspective to solving some of the nagging and systemic media challenges including how to secure subscribers, ensure quality journalism and deliver a high impact experience for readers. All the while navigating the complex world of startups and fundraising and the cultural significance of delivering on diverse voices and perspectives.

VMLY&R’s Chief Integration Officer Myron King has has an enviable career in advertising. He has endeavored to take the role of Chief Integration Officer to new levels while maintaining a commitment to providing client value. In this conversation, Myron and Philip discuss his myriad leadership stops in the industry, the evolution of his current role and what it means for VMLY&R’s growth strategy and what motivates his commitment to building an inclusive and culture first environment.

In this episode, Philip spends time with Kenetta Bailey, SVP Clear Channel Outdoor. They discuss Bailey’s long and multifaceted career that has included some of the largest and most renowned names in consumer products, entertainment and marketing. They uncover a host of valuable insights including why being fearless matters in making career choices, how the advertising business has shifted and why there is such an incredible opportunity in the OOH vertical.

In this episode of The Pool, Phil spends time with W+K’s Global Director of Culture + Operations Jai Tedeschi. They discuss, Jai’s journey from London to the US and how she frames culture through an international lens. She also shares more about her career path and what made it possible to be successful in an industry that still trends toward the conventional rather than the unconventional.

In this conversation, Phil spends time with Tangie Murray, of the 4A’s Foundation, to discuss her wide ranging career both in advertising and arts philanthropy, and how in her current role everything comes together. As SVP of the 4A’s Foundation, which advocates for and connects multicultural talent to the marketing industry by fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity and craft to fuel a more ​equitable future for the industry, Tangie shares how her success in navigating disparate worlds hinged on her cultural fluency and ability to build community. 

In this conversation, Philip spends time with NPR’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Whitney Maddox. Whitney shares how her unique professional and academic background prepared her to step into NPR and what she has learned and accomplished after one year in the role.

In this conversation Sylvester “Sly” Phifer details his new role as Vice President, Self Service Platform Sales at Disney Advertising and the building and launch of the Hulu Ad Manager product. They discuss the importance of this new product, what is means for underrepresented owned businesses and how automation provides value to customers and agencies.