Don Draper would be wrong to be optimistic, and why diversity is a professional necessity

Those working in the communications industry should prepare for another tough year as global economic growth continues to slow, warns WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell in this extract from the company’s market update on its annual profits.    

The always on, Don Draperish general industry optimism seems misplaced.

To survive in the advertising and marketing services sector, you have to remain positive, indeed optimistic, seeing the glass half-full and industry and company reports generally continue, understandably, to reflect that attitude.
However, general client behaviour does not reflect that state of mind, as tepid GDP growth, low or no inflation and consequent lack of pricing power encourage a focus on cutting costs to reach profit targets, rather than revenue growth.

If he’s optimistic, Don Draper is mistaken