@dereklwalker.bsky.social
Definitely. The role of procurement has gotten out of hand. Can that genie be put back into the bottle, I doubt it.
CEOs have left CMOs to run things, it is time for CEOs to be more present in the decisions around marketing. That doesn't not threaten or diminish the role of the CMO.
CEOs have left CMOs to run things, it is time for CEOs to be more present in the decisions around marketing. That doesn't not threaten or diminish the role of the CMO.
February 10, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Definitely. The role of procurement has gotten out of hand. Can that genie be put back into the bottle, I doubt it.
CEOs have left CMOs to run things, it is time for CEOs to be more present in the decisions around marketing. That doesn't not threaten or diminish the role of the CMO.
CEOs have left CMOs to run things, it is time for CEOs to be more present in the decisions around marketing. That doesn't not threaten or diminish the role of the CMO.
Sorry to be getting to this so late. I was busy telling folks to copulate off.
This thing we do is a dance between clients and agencies. Some times the client leads, sometimes the agency does. A brave client can empower an agency to be brave and vice versa.
This thing we do is a dance between clients and agencies. Some times the client leads, sometimes the agency does. A brave client can empower an agency to be brave and vice versa.
February 10, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Sorry to be getting to this so late. I was busy telling folks to copulate off.
This thing we do is a dance between clients and agencies. Some times the client leads, sometimes the agency does. A brave client can empower an agency to be brave and vice versa.
This thing we do is a dance between clients and agencies. Some times the client leads, sometimes the agency does. A brave client can empower an agency to be brave and vice versa.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Here's a thought for agency and holding company leadership.
Do an audit of your Black employees' evaluations, write-ups and any disciplinary actions, and check the language used to describe them.
I double dog dare you
Day 8 cont.
Here's a thought for agency and holding company leadership.
Do an audit of your Black employees' evaluations, write-ups and any disciplinary actions, and check the language used to describe them.
I double dog dare you
February 10, 2026 at 6:21 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Here's a thought for agency and holding company leadership.
Do an audit of your Black employees' evaluations, write-ups and any disciplinary actions, and check the language used to describe them.
I double dog dare you
Day 8 cont.
Here's a thought for agency and holding company leadership.
Do an audit of your Black employees' evaluations, write-ups and any disciplinary actions, and check the language used to describe them.
I double dog dare you
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Don't get it twisted, I still deal with this.
Despite running my own shop, having run teams at 3 Fortune 500 corp., presented strategies to the C-suite more than most - the only invites I get to speak are for DEI.
Day 8 cont.
Don't get it twisted, I still deal with this.
Despite running my own shop, having run teams at 3 Fortune 500 corp., presented strategies to the C-suite more than most - the only invites I get to speak are for DEI.
February 10, 2026 at 6:21 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Don't get it twisted, I still deal with this.
Despite running my own shop, having run teams at 3 Fortune 500 corp., presented strategies to the C-suite more than most - the only invites I get to speak are for DEI.
Day 8 cont.
Don't get it twisted, I still deal with this.
Despite running my own shop, having run teams at 3 Fortune 500 corp., presented strategies to the C-suite more than most - the only invites I get to speak are for DEI.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
I'm not a team player yet no one wanted to partner with the Black guy.
I'm not a good fit when every activity is something my White co-workers like to do.
I'm angry when I respond with the same energy directed at me.
Day 8 cont.
I'm not a team player yet no one wanted to partner with the Black guy.
I'm not a good fit when every activity is something my White co-workers like to do.
I'm angry when I respond with the same energy directed at me.
February 10, 2026 at 6:21 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
I'm not a team player yet no one wanted to partner with the Black guy.
I'm not a good fit when every activity is something my White co-workers like to do.
I'm angry when I respond with the same energy directed at me.
Day 8 cont.
I'm not a team player yet no one wanted to partner with the Black guy.
I'm not a good fit when every activity is something my White co-workers like to do.
I'm angry when I respond with the same energy directed at me.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont
Watch what you call me.
I'm often confrontational, but never passionate.
I can be:
• Aggressive but not confident
• Argumentative but not strategic
• Bitchy but not principled
• Arrogant but not professional
Day 8 cont
Watch what you call me.
I'm often confrontational, but never passionate.
I can be:
• Aggressive but not confident
• Argumentative but not strategic
• Bitchy but not principled
• Arrogant but not professional
February 10, 2026 at 6:21 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont
Watch what you call me.
I'm often confrontational, but never passionate.
I can be:
• Aggressive but not confident
• Argumentative but not strategic
• Bitchy but not principled
• Arrogant but not professional
Day 8 cont
Watch what you call me.
I'm often confrontational, but never passionate.
I can be:
• Aggressive but not confident
• Argumentative but not strategic
• Bitchy but not principled
• Arrogant but not professional
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8
This ain't about me solely but I'm going to use me as an example because I know what I have and still do experience.
So, know that although I talk about myself, this is about many Black people.
Day 8
This ain't about me solely but I'm going to use me as an example because I know what I have and still do experience.
So, know that although I talk about myself, this is about many Black people.
February 10, 2026 at 6:21 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8
This ain't about me solely but I'm going to use me as an example because I know what I have and still do experience.
So, know that although I talk about myself, this is about many Black people.
Day 8
This ain't about me solely but I'm going to use me as an example because I know what I have and still do experience.
So, know that although I talk about myself, this is about many Black people.
This is how a Super Bowl spot should introduce something.
And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof.
I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...
And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof.
I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...
Official Maserati Super Bowl Spot 2014 Ghibli Strike
YouTube video by Super Bowl
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:16 PM
This is how a Super Bowl spot should introduce something.
And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof.
I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...
And before you say anything, the numbers for inquires and orders were through the roof.
I don't lower my standard for what is good and great because others don't know.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0...
Me last night watching what passed for Super Bowl commercials.
two elderly women are standing in a living room talking
ALT: two elderly women are standing in a living room talking
media.tenor.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Me last night watching what passed for Super Bowl commercials.
Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
Help me understand.
February 9, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
Help me understand.
Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
Help me understand.
February 9, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Please someone make it make sense that brands spent at least $8.5 million to run copulating average commercials with so many people watching, and expecting real creative advertising.
Help me understand.
Help me understand.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Saying something is different for one group isn't saying that it's better or worse - just different.
Facing different sets of challenges means a person may see things differently.
How you see that person is on you.
Day 8 cont.
Saying something is different for one group isn't saying that it's better or worse - just different.
Facing different sets of challenges means a person may see things differently.
How you see that person is on you.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Saying something is different for one group isn't saying that it's better or worse - just different.
Facing different sets of challenges means a person may see things differently.
How you see that person is on you.
Day 8 cont.
Saying something is different for one group isn't saying that it's better or worse - just different.
Facing different sets of challenges means a person may see things differently.
How you see that person is on you.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty and trust hit different among Blacks.
And that urge to rebut this that some are fighting with is the entire point of this post.
Of course loyalty and trust is important to everyone. It can also be different.
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty and trust hit different among Blacks.
And that urge to rebut this that some are fighting with is the entire point of this post.
Of course loyalty and trust is important to everyone. It can also be different.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty and trust hit different among Blacks.
And that urge to rebut this that some are fighting with is the entire point of this post.
Of course loyalty and trust is important to everyone. It can also be different.
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty and trust hit different among Blacks.
And that urge to rebut this that some are fighting with is the entire point of this post.
Of course loyalty and trust is important to everyone. It can also be different.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Being the only or one of the few at a job, you learn not to trust too easily.
The body politics at work do not favor the outlier, the different.
Don't be too dismissive about this.
Day 8 cont.
Being the only or one of the few at a job, you learn not to trust too easily.
The body politics at work do not favor the outlier, the different.
Don't be too dismissive about this.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Being the only or one of the few at a job, you learn not to trust too easily.
The body politics at work do not favor the outlier, the different.
Don't be too dismissive about this.
Day 8 cont.
Being the only or one of the few at a job, you learn not to trust too easily.
The body politics at work do not favor the outlier, the different.
Don't be too dismissive about this.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"I don't come to work to make friends. I come to work to do a job." I think when I hear people discussing having friends at work.
Being friends means letting people close, being vulnerable, trusting someone.
Day 8 cont.
"I don't come to work to make friends. I come to work to do a job." I think when I hear people discussing having friends at work.
Being friends means letting people close, being vulnerable, trusting someone.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"I don't come to work to make friends. I come to work to do a job." I think when I hear people discussing having friends at work.
Being friends means letting people close, being vulnerable, trusting someone.
Day 8 cont.
"I don't come to work to make friends. I come to work to do a job." I think when I hear people discussing having friends at work.
Being friends means letting people close, being vulnerable, trusting someone.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We may work together but being friends is something more.
I hear White people talk about about how important having friends at work is, and smile.
Day 8 cont.
We may work together but being friends is something more.
I hear White people talk about about how important having friends at work is, and smile.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We may work together but being friends is something more.
I hear White people talk about about how important having friends at work is, and smile.
Day 8 cont.
We may work together but being friends is something more.
I hear White people talk about about how important having friends at work is, and smile.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty because of our shared past is very important to Black people.
Because so much of our safety has depended on recognizing who we can and cannot trust - we tend be slow to invite those not like us too close.
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty because of our shared past is very important to Black people.
Because so much of our safety has depended on recognizing who we can and cannot trust - we tend be slow to invite those not like us too close.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty because of our shared past is very important to Black people.
Because so much of our safety has depended on recognizing who we can and cannot trust - we tend be slow to invite those not like us too close.
Day 8 cont.
Loyalty because of our shared past is very important to Black people.
Because so much of our safety has depended on recognizing who we can and cannot trust - we tend be slow to invite those not like us too close.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to not toss around the word 'friend.'
Coworker or acquaintance is the correct terms for us. And we've gotten so good at using them that you barely notice how we draw this distinction.
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to not toss around the word 'friend.'
Coworker or acquaintance is the correct terms for us. And we've gotten so good at using them that you barely notice how we draw this distinction.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to not toss around the word 'friend.'
Coworker or acquaintance is the correct terms for us. And we've gotten so good at using them that you barely notice how we draw this distinction.
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to not toss around the word 'friend.'
Coworker or acquaintance is the correct terms for us. And we've gotten so good at using them that you barely notice how we draw this distinction.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Don't feel bad, you aren't in the pictures of your Black coworker's social media either.
Here is an insight. That person from work you call a 'friend,' Blacks are careful to call a 'coworker.'
A subtle distinction.
Day 8 cont.
Don't feel bad, you aren't in the pictures of your Black coworker's social media either.
Here is an insight. That person from work you call a 'friend,' Blacks are careful to call a 'coworker.'
A subtle distinction.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Don't feel bad, you aren't in the pictures of your Black coworker's social media either.
Here is an insight. That person from work you call a 'friend,' Blacks are careful to call a 'coworker.'
A subtle distinction.
Day 8 cont.
Don't feel bad, you aren't in the pictures of your Black coworker's social media either.
Here is an insight. That person from work you call a 'friend,' Blacks are careful to call a 'coworker.'
A subtle distinction.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"But I'm friends with that Black person at work."
'Friends,' you say. Let's take a peek at your social media. Looking at pictures of gatherings and events, where are your Black 'friends' from work?
'Friends,' you say.
Day 8 cont.
"But I'm friends with that Black person at work."
'Friends,' you say. Let's take a peek at your social media. Looking at pictures of gatherings and events, where are your Black 'friends' from work?
'Friends,' you say.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
"But I'm friends with that Black person at work."
'Friends,' you say. Let's take a peek at your social media. Looking at pictures of gatherings and events, where are your Black 'friends' from work?
'Friends,' you say.
Day 8 cont.
"But I'm friends with that Black person at work."
'Friends,' you say. Let's take a peek at your social media. Looking at pictures of gatherings and events, where are your Black 'friends' from work?
'Friends,' you say.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Google "code switching."
Learn how Black people think/feel that they have to be a certain way to get, keep and advance at a job.
You don't know derek, you know 'corporate derek.'
Day 8 cont.
Google "code switching."
Learn how Black people think/feel that they have to be a certain way to get, keep and advance at a job.
You don't know derek, you know 'corporate derek.'
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Google "code switching."
Learn how Black people think/feel that they have to be a certain way to get, keep and advance at a job.
You don't know derek, you know 'corporate derek.'
Day 8 cont.
Google "code switching."
Learn how Black people think/feel that they have to be a certain way to get, keep and advance at a job.
You don't know derek, you know 'corporate derek.'
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
For the most part, you may not know the Black person/people you work with.
You assume that their experiences are similar to yours - it's easier that way.
And we let you think that, it's easier that way for us too.
Day 8 cont.
For the most part, you may not know the Black person/people you work with.
You assume that their experiences are similar to yours - it's easier that way.
And we let you think that, it's easier that way for us too.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
For the most part, you may not know the Black person/people you work with.
You assume that their experiences are similar to yours - it's easier that way.
And we let you think that, it's easier that way for us too.
Day 8 cont.
For the most part, you may not know the Black person/people you work with.
You assume that their experiences are similar to yours - it's easier that way.
And we let you think that, it's easier that way for us too.
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We grew up learning about White inventors, pioneers, scientists and business tycoons. But not names like:
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Garrett A. Morgan Sr.
Madame CJ Walker
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Day 8 cont.
We grew up learning about White inventors, pioneers, scientists and business tycoons. But not names like:
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Garrett A. Morgan Sr.
Madame CJ Walker
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
We grew up learning about White inventors, pioneers, scientists and business tycoons. But not names like:
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Garrett A. Morgan Sr.
Madame CJ Walker
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Day 8 cont.
We grew up learning about White inventors, pioneers, scientists and business tycoons. But not names like:
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Garrett A. Morgan Sr.
Madame CJ Walker
Dr. Charles Drew
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to know more about White people than Whites know about Blacks.
We have no choice. White culture is the default.
Do you know the "Bloody Summer?"
Can you name a figure from the Harlem Renaissance?
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to know more about White people than Whites know about Blacks.
We have no choice. White culture is the default.
Do you know the "Bloody Summer?"
Can you name a figure from the Harlem Renaissance?
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
derek's Black History Month thought of the day
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to know more about White people than Whites know about Blacks.
We have no choice. White culture is the default.
Do you know the "Bloody Summer?"
Can you name a figure from the Harlem Renaissance?
Day 8 cont.
Black people tend to know more about White people than Whites know about Blacks.
We have no choice. White culture is the default.
Do you know the "Bloody Summer?"
Can you name a figure from the Harlem Renaissance?