@dereklwalker.bsky.social
This is how a Super Bowl spot should introduce something.
And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof.
I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...
Me last night watching what passed for Super Bowl commercials.
09.02.2026 12:00 โ ๐ 1 ๐ 0 ๐ฌ 0 ๐ 0Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Saying something is different for one group isn't saying that it's better or worse - just different.
Facing different sets of challenges means a person may see things differently.
How you see that person is on you.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty and trust hit different among Blacks.
And that urge to rebut this that some are fighting with is the entire point of this post.
Of course loyalty and trust is important to everyone. It can also be different.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Being the only or one of the few at a job, you learn not to trust too easily.
The body politics at work do not favor the outlier, the different.
Don't be too dismissive about this.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"I don't come to work to make friends. I come to work to do a job." I think when I hear people discussing having friends at work.
Being friends means letting people close, being vulnerable, trusting someone.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We may work together but being friends is something more.
I hear White people talk about about how important having friends at work is, and smile.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty because of our shared past is very important to Black people.
Because so much of our safety has depended on recognizing who we can and cannot trust - we tend be slow to invite those not like us too close.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to not toss around the word 'friend.'
Coworker or acquaintance is the correct terms for us. And we've gotten so good at using them that you barely notice how we draw this distinction.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Don't feel bad, you aren't in the pictures of your Black coworker's social media either.
Here is an insight. That person from work you call a 'friend,' Blacks are careful to call a 'coworker.'
A subtle distinction.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"But I'm friends with that Black person at work."
'Friends,' you say. Let's take a peek at your social media. Looking at pictures of gatherings and events, where are your Black 'friends' from work?
'Friends,' you say.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Google "code switching."
Learn how Black people think/feel that they have to be a certain way to get, keep and advance at a job.
You don't know derek, you know 'corporate derek.'
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
For the most part, you may not know the Black person/people you work with.
You assume that their experiences are similar to yours - it's easier that way.
And we let you think that, it's easier that way for us too.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We grew up learning about White inventors, pioneers, scientists and business tycoons. But not names like:
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Garrett A. Morgan Sr.
Madame CJ Walker
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to know more about White people than Whites know about Blacks.
We have no choice. White culture is the default.
Do you know the "Bloody Summer?"
Can you name a figure from the Harlem Renaissance?
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8
"He don't know me very well, do he." Bugs Bunny nailed it with that one.
You can't know someone you refuse to understand.
You can't understand someone you refuse to see.
You can't see someone you refuse to recognize.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8
Brands that "don't see color," may not see as much sales and profit.
Black people make things "cool."
Black consumers buying certain products says to other groups that those products are cool to buy.
www.nielsen.com/insights/201...
Sat in the audience for the recording of 4 podcast episodes of "At The Table With Chef J."
I did an episode early on to support her. She told me today that I have to do another episode. Mine is #15 Roast Beef!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEqp...
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 7 cont.
This is how I see Black History Month.
And I hope through my posts you gain a little understanding of the journey I and others have made in advertising and other fields.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 7 cont.
To see our accomplishments/contributions to this country. It is an opportunity to understand.
Folks think they know us from our music, art and food, but we're so much more than that, and what you see in media.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 7
Black History Month is less of a celebration to me, and more an opportunity for others to see more of what Black culture is than the stereotypes and troupes.
It is an invitation to learn about us. To see us.
I don't know how they made it back to their offices. It was like they knew the layout of the office and the people.
Man, advertising used to be out of control.
Leaders walking around talking to employees like they were human beings.
You're going to call me a liar, but I've even seen leaders drink beers or eat or play pool or even World of Warcraft with employees.
Blaspheme, I know but I swear I saw it with my own two eyes!
Leaders just out there in the wild with no entourage or guide.
Even more fantastical sounding! I am not making this up!
CEOs, presidents and other agency leaders used to "walk the halls" - popping into offices, cubicles, concept meetings or anything else to simply see what was going on with folks! All casual like, as if they were human.
Wait! It gets even stranger!
As long as you didn't attack someone personally or say something offensive, you could speak openly without fear of being punished.
There was a written rule against retaliation. (Kept me from being laid off for nearly 2 years)
Things you cannot make up about working in advertising back in the day #3:
Open door policies.
Hold onto your under-bloomers!
There was a time when you could walk over to the president's/CEO's office, and if they didn't appointments , and talk to them. No appointment needed.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 6 cont.
Everyone should have their potential considered as part of the hiring and promotion decisions, along with abilities, experiences, and knowledge.
It is only fair.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 6 cont.
And yes, I pointed it out at the time, and was outvoted on candidates. But I made them aware of what was happening. It is on them to change.
