"Black on Madison Avenue" tells the shocking truth about one of the most un-diverse white-collar professions in America.

"Black on Madison Avenue" tells the explosive stories that Madison Avenue doesn't want you to read.

"Black on Madison Avenue" reveals the incredible experiences of a Black man who has spent 40+ years on Madison Avenue at some of the advertising industry's most prestigious agencies and gives readers a rare glimpse of what it's like to be one of the very, very few Black professionals in the advertising agency business.

Advertising decides what America wants. And yet, for an industry that professes to be the vanguard of creativity, popular culture and forward thinking, advertising is one of the most un-diverse white-collar professions in America. Surprisingly, despite all of its public gestures of "wokeness", Madison Avenue would like to keep it that way.

"Black on Madison Avenue" explains how - and why - the author landed on Madison Avenue, and shares some of his incredible adventures over the past 40+ years. Yes, adventures. Have you ever gotten into a shouting match with a Venezuelan Army general in the middle of a military coup? He has. He kidnapped advertising legend Jim Jordan, insulted high-ranking Chinese government officials at a formal dinner and launched the first multicultural marketing holding company.

Mark Robinson was the co-founder of Spike/DDB, along with filmmaker Spike Lee and has stories no one else could tell. Robinson's stories include Bill Cosby, Mike Tyson, Vanessa Williams, Usher, Oprah, Zsa Zsa Gabor, James Brown and Notorious B.I.G.

"I have given my entire adult professional life to this business. Advertising is not just what I do. It is a part of who I am. I am Black on Madison Avenue."

Mark Robinson has spent the past 40+ years in advertising at some of the industry's most prestigious agencies. Mark has been featured in Fortune magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Advertising Age. Mark is a past member of the American Advertising Federation's Multicultural Marketing Leadership Council, a national touring lecturer for the American Educational Foundation, and an ongoing mentor for MAIP (Minority Advertising Internship Program) for the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Mark was chosen by filmmaker Spike Lee to co-found and manage his new agency, Spike/DDB. In 1998, Mark launched Heritage Apparel, an internet-based clothing company that celebrated African American history and heroes. In 2001, he was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year for the successful launch of his next company, S/R Communications Alliance; the first 100% minority-owned network of 10 multicultural advertising companies, with combined business of $225 million. Mark was nominated for the 1994 Connecticut Human Rights Award for his community service and work in multicultural education. In 2000, Mark was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State's Martin Luther King Commission. And in 2009, he was chosen by the State of Connecticut to receive the Martin Luther King Leadership Award.Mark lives in Connecticut and is a highly sought-after strategist and advisor to various clients, including political campaigns and community organizations. He also serves on the board of directors of The Connecticut Mirror newspaper.

Black On Madison Avenue

Contents

Preface: "Then go write it."

Foreword: by Cindy Gallop

1. Before we were consumers

2. The Pepsi Revolution and My family in ads

3. Afraid of the dark

4. Kidnapping Jim Jordan

5. Saying "No thank you"

6. Groundhog Day and the Shine Man

7. Drinking tea and Only cute babies

8. Zsa Zsa's Revenge

9. Chopsticks

10. "And then I fired him"

11. Working at home

12. Hair-brushing and Oprah's Favorite Things

13. Black Coffee and Kool-Aid

14. A Venezuelan Coup

15. I don't like your clothes

16. A night at the Copa

17. My dinner with Vanessa

18. Calendars, posters and the Pinewood Derby

19. Community Service

20. Red Carpets and Travel Irons

21. A favor for a friend

22. Forging an Alliance

23. We told you so

24. Chinese Food

25. This job is killing me

26. Carol H. Williams

27. "We're so glad you're here"

28. Sharecropping on Madison Avenue

Afterword: Madison Avenue excuses and other baloney