Diversity is one of the keys to creativity. Don't take my word for it: ask John Hunt, TBWA creative guru and cofounder of the legendary South African agency TBWA Hunt Lascaris. In his book The Art of the idea-And how it can change your life (Power House Books, 2009), Hunt writes: "If you want something new to emerge, you want people in the room who don't think like you."
I've always thought of London as a very creative city, and also a very diverse one. One of the sights I miss are the Sikh platform staff on the tube, who wear white turbans with their London underground uniforms. As a kid I thought they were the coolest people ever. Diversity educates; it broadens our horizons. So I was pretty dismayed by the British government's recent "Go home or face arrest" campaign, ordering foreigners living in the United Kingdom without a visa to leave the country. I understand that illegal immigration is a problem, but the tone of the ads was spine-chilling. Not to mention criminally irresponsible. Then I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that London mayor Boris Johnson is taking the exact opposite approach. He wants to create a special London visa for young creative talents working in the fashion and digital industries overseas. From Bangalore to Beijing, young talents are invited to ensure that London remains "an epicentre of international creativity". Bravo Boris. At least you're thinking outside the red post box.
