Deutsch LA, Reonna Johnson Launch Hex Code Black Podcast

While there is no singular, universal experience that encompasses every person in the marketing industry, many marginalized creatives can speak to a certain professional culture that underscores their successes, struggles and overall treatment. Now, a new podcast by Reonna Johnson, Deutsch L.A.'s vp and director of growth and strategy, Three's a Crowd co-founder and 2021 Woman Trailblazer, aims to shed light on what it's like to be Black in advertising. The new show, titled Hex Code Black, was created in partnership with Deutsch L.A. and its production arm, Steelhead. As its host, Johnson will chat candidly with guests from an "unapologetic Black POV” as they share their experiences and the intersection of race, culture and creativity—conversations that often take place under the protective cloak of privacy. "The discussions are topics that Black professionals talk about at the watercooler," Johnson told Adweek. "Things that are on the hush-hush. We thought it would be nice to invite everyone to listen in and hear what people are really talking about, struggling with at the watercooler." The topics may only seem to be for Black professionals. But if you dig deeper, they’re for everyone.Reonna Johnson, vp and director of growth and strategy at Deutsch LA While some topics may feel familiar to any creative working in the industry, others will undoubtedly and intentionally be specific to Black culture. For instance, in the first episode, Johnson and guests grapple with what it means to be considered "regular" Black versus "ethnic" Black, or being Black with origins outside of the U.S. These intricacies in identity impact how they individually navigate the industry as well as their own creativity. "Most of the people participating in the discussions would probably never talk about these topics in a non-Black setting," Johnson said. "So now we’ve invited everyone to hear how candid people talk about really, really tough issues at work that affect them in everyday life." Intimacy breeds authenticity While conversations like the ones outfitting Hex Code Black could have taken many different forms, Deutsch L.A.'s CCO Karen Costello said that audio provided the best way to properly convey these important stories. "We talked about a few different ways to do it, video included," she told Adweek. "But there was something about podcasts that felt much more intimate and visceral, like you were truly listening in on the conversations that were happening. It gave singular focus to the experiences, thoughts and emotions around some really important topics." In making these matters public, the Hex Code Black team hopes to prompt a shift toward real equity, which starts with a better understanding of what it means to be a Black creative. "I hope they will hear some eye-opening things that can further their understanding and empathy for a group of people marginalized in this industry for far too long," said Costello. "Understanding leads to acceptance. Acceptance leads to action. Action leads to true representation and sustaining equity. That’s a better industry for everyone." "[I hope] for all people to heal from unspoken narratives we’ve subconsciously been operating from, for all people to challenge their thinking and see themselves and others differently," Johnson added. "The topics may only seem to be for Black professionals. But if you dig deeper, they’re for everyone." Guests will include 72andSunny creative director Tahirah Byfield-Edwards, AKQA art director Rae James, creator and DJ Xolisa Tshomela, and more. Hex Code Black is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listeners and future subscribers can listen to the first episode now. This Group Is Helping Agencies Add More Black People to Their Leadership Ranks

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Deutsch LA and Reonna Johnson Launch Candid Podcast About the Black Creative Experience

Hex Code Black digs into real life as a Black person in the ad industry

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