Dear Observer,
Two years ago, Hold the PRess called attention to the lack of diversity and representation in your annual PR lists. We find ourselves in 2024, once again disappointed by the glaring absence of Black talent and Black-led agencies in your latest PR list.
The PR industry has made strides in recent years to address the lack of diversity within its ranks. However, progress has been slow, and much work remains to be done. According to the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) 2021-2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarking Report, the overall representation of Black professionals in the industry remains at a mere 10.0%, despite Black professionals making up 13.4% of the U.S. population. Even more concerning is the lack of Black representation in leadership positions, with only 3.8% of senior-level positions being held by Black professionals.
The industry's lack of diversity is not due to a shortage of qualified candidates. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Black students earn 9.5% of all bachelor's degrees in communication and journalism, yet they remain underrepresented in the PR industry.
Your lists fail to reflect even these modest levels of representation and instead perpetuate a cycle of exclusion and underrepresentation. By your own admission, you dedicated 11 sublists (new for 2024) to highlight the equally important yet significantly smaller specialty PR firms. However, even with this addition across your 13 index lists, only a handful of Black professionals are featured, and your main Power List is entirely devoid of Black talent. This glaring omission is unacceptable and sends a clear message that the contributions of Black professionals and Black-led agencies are not valued or recognized by Observer.
As public relations professionals representing a diverse range of talent and agencies, we call on Observer to take concrete, meaningful steps to address this ongoing issue. We demand:
1. A comprehensive review of your list selection process to identify and eliminate any biases or barriers that contribute to the exclusion of Black talent and agencies.
2. The inclusion of Black PR professionals and agency leaders in the list selection process to ensure a more diverse and representative perspective.
3. A public commitment to featuring a minimum of 30% Black professionals and agencies across your lists, reflective of the industry's diversity.
Until we see demonstrable progress and a genuine commitment to change, we will be advising our clients and colleagues to reconsider their participation in Observer-related events and interviews.
The PR industry is watching, and we stand united in our call for meaningful, lasting change. It is time for Observer to live up to its responsibility as the industry leader it claims to be and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.
Respectfully,
Hold The PRess