by Dan Perkins

Source: AAAA Release

On Monday, July 12, 2005, O. Burtch Drake, president and CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, announced the appointment of Don Richards to the position of senior vice president, AAAA Agency Diversity Programs.  In this newly created position, Richards will be responsible for all Association diversity programs, including oversight of Operation Success, a comprehensive diversity initiative launched in September 2004, the AAAA's highly successful Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP), which is celebrating its 32nd year, and Operation Jumpstart, the AAAA Foundation's minority scholarship program.

"Don brings tremendous passion and expertise about the business case for diversity to the new position at the AAAA, and I know he will contribute greatly to our continuing diversity efforts," said Drake.  "His depth of knowledge of both diversity management and the advertising agency business makes him ideally suited to lead the AAAA's industry diversity initiatives."

Richards most recently served as associate national director for affirmative action and diversity at the Screen Actors Guild.  Previously, Richards was senior vice president, director of resource development, at Leo Burnett, for nearly a decade.  At Leo Burnett, Richards was responsible for workforce recruitment and retention; supplier diversity; and collaborating with diversity organizations such as INROADS, Chicago Corporate Diversity Council, the Advertising Educational Foundation, and Chicago United, among others.

Richard's agency experience includes more than 20 years in account management positions at AAAA member agencies including Leo Burnett, Marschalk, and DDB Needham.  Richards assumes his role at the Association on Wednesday, July 20.

The American Association of Advertising Agencies is the national trade association of the advertising agency business with 1,196 member agency offices.  The management-oriented association helps its members build their businesses, and acts as the industry's spokesman with government, media and the public sector.

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