Doner Helps Diverse Suppliers and Marketers Connect Through New Event and Platform

In an effort to help diverse suppliers and marketing companies create ongoing partnerships, full-service advertising agency Doner hosted the first in a series of diverse supplier fairs. This event, called Kaleidoscope and powered by one of the industry’s leading connection tools and virtual event hosts, Expo, connected diverse suppliers with executives across the advertising, media, and marketing industry. Over the course of ten hours, minority-owned businesses showcased their products and services with key members of the marketing community, including leadership from the eight agencies in the Doner Partner Network.

“At Doner, some of our most successful, most rewarding partnerships have stemmed from diverse suppliers. We understand the challenges they face in promoting their businesses and increasing their profiles across the industry,” said Shelia Minetola, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Doner. “We designed Kaleidoscope to help build key connections and look forward to seeing what comes next.”

At the inaugural event, 156 attendees participated in sessions featuring five speakers, including Gregory Hawkins, manager of supplier diversity at leading global automaker Stellantis. Vendors had the opportunity to highlight their capabilities and offerings via virtual exhibitor booths. The Expo platform yielded nearly 400 connections, setting up potential business partnerships.

As Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council Certified Agency, Doner led a session at the event on the steps necessary for businesses to become certified vendors.  Many of Doner’s clients require that it meets a spend threshold with minority suppliers, and the agency exceeds this requirement every year. The industry has also acknowledged Doner’s focus on inclusion through its work. For example, last year, the agency launched #EczemaEquality for Johnson & Johnson’s Aveeno Baby brand, work that continues to change the content parents find online when searching for eczema treatment for Black and brown babies.  

“We’ve made great strides in creating an agency that reflects the diverse community we live in and serve,” said David DeMuth, CEO of Doner. “As marketers, we value and appreciate the partnerships we have formed with diverse suppliers, and we’re excited to help other companies create similar connections.”

The next Kaleidoscope diversity event will take place in Q3 of 2022.