THE TOP 10 LESSONS I LEARNED FROM PUBLICIS GROUPE'S MCTP
By Alise Crittendon, Copywriting Intern, Heartbeat
With dozens of associated agencies and brands, several sponsors and thousands of student and professional alumni, Publicis Groupe’s Multicultural Talent Pipeline is no secret in the advertising and marketing industry. In its 11th year of operation, this forum continues to foster an enriching educational experience for diverse students by engaging in fireside chats, intimate breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Students and young professionals attending the conference are able to explore the key areas of advertising and marketing and build their network with the most promising and established professionals in the industry.
As a junior at the University of Georgia, this was my first time attending MCTP and it was nothing short of amazing. Although it was not in its traditional in-person format, I was able to gain priceless advice and inspiration from professionals, all from the comfort of my home! Like always, I took pages of notes from each session and compiled a list of the top 10 gems that were dropped that will resonate with me for the rest of my career:
1. Mission Control Yourself - Lisa Torres
Prior to every major event or meeting at your job, always be prepared and do your homework. Know who is in the meeting, what the meeting is about, and the level of importance or professionalism the meeting possesses and act according to these factors. This is an important tip for all professionals, but especially for minorities who already have to work much harder to overcome systemic barriers. Being prepared will allow you to show up, be present, and contribute thoughtful and meaningful comments.
2. “We are having conversations at work that people aren’t talking about at home.” -Sybil Crum
In a discussion regarding how to hold our white counterparts accountable in the workplace, Sybil gave this thought-provoking statement to explain the fact that diversity and inclusion initiatives will take a lot of effort from all parties and cannot happen overnight. She eloquently explained that black people and people of color have constantly had to be uncomfortable in a variety of spaces, but in order for change to happen, our white counterparts have to start being uncomfortable too.
3. The Four C’s of Nonverbal Communication - Linda Clemmons
Ask anyone who attended MCTP 2020, and they will tell you how Linda completely dominated the event with her energy and inspiration. During her presentation, she listed the Four C’s you should look for when communicating in professional environments, and especially in virtual formats: Clusters (read movements in clusters and not individually to get the full scope of their point), Congruency (if the tone, nonverbal cues and words don’t agree, there is a disconnect in their communication), Context (background information allows you to better conceptualize messages), and Culture (being aware of different customs and cultures can avoid conflicts when communicating).
4. Research Yourself Before Interviews
Oftentimes we do extensive research about a company, the industry, or the role before an interview to be sure we can answer any quick trivia question without getting off guard. While knowing what you are interviewing for is important, it’s equally as important to research yourself. Know what you want to do, who you are and what you’ve done. Re-familiarize yourself with your resume so you can be prepared to talk about any experience you’ve had. After all, you are the true subject of the interview.
5. Seek feedback from a recruiter if rejected - Frederick Murray
After every rejection, you should be seeking feedback to understand what you can improve on in the future. This not only helps you with your own professional development, but it shows the recruiter that you are a motivated and determined person, which can be impactful if you decide to apply for another role with that company. For people of color and other marginalized groups specifically, this practice can also serve as an indicator of if there was implicit bias involved in the decision.
6. “Advertising is a force for good and a force for growth.” - Marc Pritchard
Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at P&G, gave some great tidbits during Day 3’s opening conversation about the impact of advertising. He offered this quote as inspiration for all of us aspiring advertising professionals, to explain the power this industry possesses and the potential our careers have. Many people view advertising as the main contributor to our capitalist society, which definitely has truth to it, but it does not capture the main purpose. Marc further explained that being a force for good is about actions, not headlines. In this industry, campaigns have the power to shift ideologies and perspectives within society, and it’s important that we use this power for positive changes in the world.
7. Stay open-minded and accept opportunities as they come - Andy Zhou
As young professionals, we may be more particular about the opportunities we participate in if they don’t absolutely align with our goals. While it’s good to consider the pros and cons of every opportunity, you shouldn’t deprive yourself of a good experience just because of its appearance on the surface. I learned that it’s important to go with the flow sometimes and try new things because it can open so many unexpected doors and shift your path in a better direction than you anticipated. This is especially an important mindset to have during the pandemic with the high levels of uncertainty and no real end in sight.
8. “Understand what you want out of a place rather than letting it form who you are.” - LaRonda Davis
This was one of the most insightful pieces I learned throughout the conference because it put my job search into perspective. Like I mentioned earlier, we often get so absorbed with learning about the company and trying to make sure we fit their standards when, realistically, our careers should be about our own desires and goals. After hearing this, I will put more emphasis on my passions and use that to influence how I show up for work and how I present myself to potential employers.
9. “Self advocacy is the greatest form of self love.” - Minda Harts
When Minda, author of “The Memo,” said this, I scrambled to write this down in my notes and put a huge star next to it. As a black woman entering a white male-dominated industry, the encouragement I got from this was priceless. She went on to explain (preach, really) how our gifts belong to us and we have to recognize them and realize that we’re the prize too, not just the position we have or that we’re hoping to land. When we have the confidence to speak up for ourselves in every room, we’re giving ourselves the utmost respect that we deserve.
10. “I belong in every room, but not every room deserves me.” - Minda Harts
Can you tell what my favorite part of the conference was yet? I had to include another gem from Minda because it’s something black people just don’t hear nearly enough. It’s no secret that systemic oppression has made us believe we are less than our white counterparts. Of course we have heard that we are equals and should be treated as such, but they always fail to mention that sometimes we’re too good for the opportunities we’re fighting for. Some of these companies and brands simply don’t deserve our gifts and talents because they lack the proper level of esteem for us. Minda’s words served as the perfect way to end the event, leaving us with the realization that we possess more power as a people than they want us to believe.
Again, I greatly appreciate Publicis Groupe for advocating for minorities and people of color and helping us find a place in this industry where we can thrive. Despite the current events in the world, I feel so motivated and excited to reach my full potential. If you made it to the end of this article, I hope you learned some valuable things as well!
