Can't Smile Without You (but what about you, you and you)
Alex Altman
Wavemaker: President Global Clients & Global Head of B2B / WPP: Global Client Lead
I’m a big Barry Manilow fan, he’s got a song for every mood and I never tire of listening. So you can imagine how happy I was to hear Heart 70s play one of his songs last month – probably the first time I have ever heard one of his tunes on the radio. Then there was another, then another and another – I must have heard at least 6 Barry tracks on the station over the past 4 weeks. It’s simply re-enforced what I already knew, he is brilliant and I love his music.
It made me think though, if we consider this through the lens of DE&I, what other artists am I missing? I listen to Barry because I like Barry and I gravitate to the station that plays him most – not very diverse of me is it.
So I thought I would try an experiment – every day for the last week I have listened to a different station: Jazz FM, Capital, Classic FM, BBC 6 Music and Planet Rock. I’ve loved it!
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aretha Franklin, Attila Fias, John Field and a bit of Ariana Grande – it’s been brilliant. Each artist has contributed something different to my day, each has opened my eyes to a different sound and each has set me off on a journey of discovery about what else they have in their catalogue.
If it works with music, of course it will work with people. The more I reach out to others, listen to alternate points of view and try to see the worlds through another's eyes, the more rounded my experience and the better my decisions will be.
Of course my love for Barry is still strong, but now I can see that I need more than just him to make me smile
Director of Client and Marketing at Sky Media | Commercial and Strategic Leader | WACL member | Coach | Charity Trustee (The Mintridge Foundation)
4 年As a Fanilow myself (yes that is a word) I agree with you that he writes the songs that make the whole world sing. This is a great article and way of thinking, and showing of the benefits of DE&I.
Alex I too enjoy the Manilow, along with Parton, Gaga and Grande- I loved this piece and really hope you write more. #positiveprovocation
WPP Global Client Lead, Global Head of WPP OpenDoor.
4 年Love this Alex. Imagine though what an incredible gift of sound we would get if they all collaborated together...??
Global Chief Business Officer at GroupM
4 年Having a diverse point of view is so important in how we provoke great work for our clients. Alex nothing wrong with a bit of Barry but I’m pleased your diversified your musical tastes!
Helping technology marketers find, attract and retain customers
4 年That's not quite the open minded reaction I got when I stuck Arcade Fire on the stereo near you a good while back!