Scott, I’ll stand up…but will you be listening?

Ad Age Editor, Scott Donaton, wrote a piece of commentary about the shameful (to quote Donaton) absence of industry leadership. His piece begins with the words, “Will someone other than David Verklin please stand up?”

He continues to expound on the fact that executives “don’t have the guts or willingness to take a public stand” for a variety of corporate, legal and political reasons.

Finally, he ends with a call to action that “we need to recruit a few more just like him, explorers to map the way forward.

“Who’s signing up?” Donaton asks?

I am, Scott. I am. That’ why I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing for 3 ½ years. That’s why I wrote the book. That’s why I am challenging you…as Managing Editor of one of the foremost advertising trade publications to recognize my efforts and make sure the industry knows about my message.

This isn’t motivated out of self-interest; it’s motivated out of passion.

It is why I am calling you out to determine whether you are just like the people you are criticizing, or in fact, if you are different. It’s easy to throw stones from up high on your pedestal. You have a mouthpiece and a megaphone…but along with that voice, comes responsibility as well.

I know my book is an Adweek book, but that should not stop you from communicating its message to your readers. Incidentally it does reference David Verklin several times and David also endorsed the book on its back cover for what it’s worth.

So Scott, I urge you to give it a read and if – and only if – you think its message rings true, then I invite you to reach out and partner with me to escalate the conversation. I’d be happy to respond to your critique – which by the way, I don’t disagree with. The lack of leadership and the unwillingness to take risks and a stand is literally crippling this industry.

I do also want to single out Rishad Tobaccowala whom I think counters the trend you cite in your piece. Between Rishad and David, there are in fact 2 corporate leaders. I will gladly put my name forward to be the un-corporate or un-cola third musketeer.

To my readers – if you agree with my point of view, take action. e-mail Scott and urge him to take action and to recognize my stand. His e-mail address is sdonaton@crain.com Let’s see if – when push comes to shove – Scott folds like a house of cards or is the real McCoy.