Uncle Ben has been promoted to chairman, says this article in today's New York Times. Visit Ben's new office at UncleBens.com.

The Times quotes ad exec Howard Buford: "It’s potentially a very creative way to handle the baggage of old racial stereotypes as advertising icons," but "it’s going to take a lot of work to get it right and make it ring true."

Uncle Ben, the advertising character created to promote Uncle Ben's Converted Rice, has a plush new executive suite, but still hasn't been given the courtesy of a last name.

Related Links:
NPR: Uncle Ben, Serving Up Grains of Wisdom
PR Museum:Moss Kendrix on African-Americans in advertising images
Chicago Sun Times: Why are these stereotypical images still part of our culture?