The SA Human Rights Commission recently held an inquiry into the advertising industry. The five-day inquiry, held in Rosebank, Johannesburg, focused on the production chain within the advertising sector to look at ways to eliminate racism, tribalism, homophobia and sexism, among other forms of discrimination. There is no doubt that reform is needed. The problem is not so much racial discrimination in the advertisements. If we are being honest, since the TRESemmé and H&M incidents two years ago, we have not really had another racism incident. The biggest problem is the racial exclusion of Black-owned and Black-run agencies from lucrative advertising...

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The SA Human Rights Commission's five-day inquiry looked at ways to eliminate racism, tribalism, homophobia and sexism, among other forms of discrimination, in the advertising industry. Brands using “window dressing” advertising agencies that  refuse to transform should be penalised by consumer boycotts, say some industry players. Speaking this week as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) put the spotlight on discrimination in the advertising industry,  Ahmed Tilly, a creative consultant at  Number 10 — A Creative Consultancy, said brands hold the power. “Nothing will change until corporates and their brands are held accountable for the agencies they appoint, and penalised for appointing...

The SA Human Rights Commission is currently holding an inquiry into the advertising industry.The five-day inquiry, held in Rosebank, Johannesburg, focuses on the production chain within the advertising sector to look at ways to eliminate racism, tribalism, homophobia and sexism, among other forms of discrimination. There is no doubt that reform is needed. The problem is not the racial discrimination in the adverts, because if we are being honest since the Tresseme and H&M incidents 2 years ago, we have not really had another racism incident. The biggest problem is the racial exclusion of black-owned and black run agencies from lucrative...