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We talk a lot about blocklists at Mediavine. It's a focus for Brian J. Packer, M.A., as our Uplift champion and pillar director. Blocklists repeatedly shut off access for brands to giant audiences they actually *wanted* to reach. In the process, unwittingly denying countless small, independent publishers and giant orgs like TIME access to budgets that would have lifted their business. Whenever online publishers cover important social topics like feminism, social justice or anything to do with the LGBTQ+ community, they're making a purposeful choice to cover content that they know will not monetize as well. We've been talking to publishers that not only track this, but make sure to run content they *know* will monetize well to make up for the disparity. Content creation by independent content creators is a finite resource because you rarely have a staff, or even one other person helping you create that content. We, as an industry, are pushing them to their limits with blocklists and we don't even realize it. This ham-fisted approach was the best we could do 30 years ago. It's 2024 and our programmatic algorithms are more advanced than ever. Brand safety tools are better at context than they've ever been. Yet we're still doing this? Time Magazine's article about Taylor Swift, their person of the year for 2023 — and her first interview in five years — was demonetized after being erroneously flagged "not inclusive of women" for discussing feminism. Want to know how many times a variation of the word "feminine" appears in the article? Four. In a 6,456-word article. Block lists have a serious capacity to kill journalism of all kinds, legacy to independent. It's time for the industry to come together and develop a better way forward. #programmaticads #brandsafety #TaylorSwift #feminism #socialjustice

Not sure how to balance focusing on your target audience and being inclusive in your marketing strategy? 🤔 Our latest blog post from the WomenShare Podcast will get you started. Get the scoop ➡ https://lnkd.in/dxjeBWWZ Leah Alter

"Inclusivity isn't about being everything to everyone; it's about being open, respectful, and engaging in a way that acknowledges and values diversity." Today's new blog post just hit our website! Carrying on the Women's History Month theme of #inspireinclusion, Joanna Ehresman dives into best practices around Inclusive Marketing strategies that can level-up your marketing. Check it out and let us know what Inclusive Marketing strategies you and your organization are currently implementing. https://lnkd.in/g4QuziWP #womenshistorymonth #marketingstrategy #womeninwealth #womeninfinance Leah Alter

Your annual reminder: it is very easy to festoon an office building with rainbow flags. They're everywhere in the City right now, in fact. It is less easy to create a culture in which every single person feels comfortable and, therefore, able to perform to the best of their ability. We have long known about how organisations can behave performatively and it is still very much a thing; anecdotal evidence is common and I'm quite sure there is detailed research out there. A very cursory glance took me to this, for example: https://lnkd.in/eSef_xKD For me: it would be way better not to order those Pride flags, to leave your office be, if you are not 100% confident that all your leaders strive to create a positive work environment for minority groups including LGBT+ employees. Culture change and leadership development is the place to start, not placing an order for rainbow flags and lanyards. People really do notice the dissonance, y'know. #Pride #HappyPride #LGBT+ #inclusion

Discover how advertising has transformed from reinforcing traditional gender roles to celebrating diversity and empowerment. Read Lillie's latest blog, "The Transformation of Advertising for Women," to explore this fascinating journey. #Advertising #WomenEmpowerment #Diversity #Marketing

‘How can advertising respond to the DEI opportunity’ was such an engaging panel discussion that was conducted on 7th December at Mumbai as part of the D&I Edge Summit hosted by The Advertising Standards Council of India and Unstereotype Alliance. Do catch this wonderful article by Noel D'souza (he/him) in Campaign India! The panel was expertly moderated by Prasad Sangameshwaran, Editor, Brand Equity.com with panelists, Ashiish V Patil, CEO & Co-Founder, Isspeshai Stratcon LLP, Sumit Agarwal, DEI Advisor to Fortune 500 Companies, Anjali Madan, Head of Media, Mondelez and Anirban Mozumdar, CSO, Havas Creative India. ✅ They discussed how the narratives within the space of advertising could be reshaped as they looked at ways of how brands could be non-tokenistic and champion authentic representation. ✅ Sometimes more than representation or under representation, wrong representation or mis representation can be more dangerous. Especially when it gives legitimacy to the already existing stereotypes. ✅ They opined that it was critical to look at the product end-to-end – product design, development, marketing, communication - from a diverse, inclusive, representation and accessibility lens. ✅ The panel also deliberated on the challenges of translating brand intentions into meaningful actions. ✅ The dire need for authenticity and genuine and sustained efforts, backed by a deep understanding of consumers rooted in a brand's ethos was highlighted. ✅ There were rich examples of the film industry where misrepresentation of marginalized communities is rampant due to inaunthentic casting.    ✅ They reflected on how Inclusivity is hardly ever a table stake at the nascent or brief stage of communication planning and development. ✅ The panel also looked at how the world is moving towards conscious consumption from conspicuous consumption and how important it is to tell authentic stories where inclusion is unobtrusive in the story without coming across as force fitted. ✅ They also looked at the dangers of insincere intentions at D&I being called out by the discerning consumers and other stakeholders if the brand’s voice sounded tokenistic or came across as a ‘pity party’ in the guise of Inclusion. ✅ The importance of normalization of conversations around Inclusion to change the debate was also highlighted. ✅ They deliberated on the importance of accurate consumer data to understand the various hues of consumers to serve them better. ✅ Importance of aligning actions with the brand message, being relevant as against being caught up in tokenism was addressed. ✅ Despite the positive intentions, there sometimes is the fear of unintended consequences and how there should be a delicate balance between progressive advertising and potential societal pushback. Check the comments for my earlier posts on this summit!

An overwhelming majority of marketers (82%) believe that there is still substantial room for growth in LGBTQ+ inclusive marketing! The study, “LGBTQ+ Marketing Inclusion,” revealed that marketers believe LGBTQ+ inclusive marketing delivers benefits, including positively impacting brand perception (97%) and increasing brand loyalty (83%). Yet despite a large majority recognizing these benefits, only 55% of marketers actively marketed to or included the LGBTQ+ community in their marketing in the past year! “This report not only provides a snapshot of the current landscape of LGBTQ+-inclusive marketing but also acts as a catalyst, urging the marketing industry to persistently embrace and champion diversity,” said Bob Liodice, CEO, ANA. “The message is clear: there is both a need and an opportunity for deeper inclusion strategies with LGBTQ+ consumers. As the industry moves towards a more inclusive future, those committed to turning these insights into actionable strategies will drive brand engagement and business growth.”! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dbZsZsTc #lgbtq #advertising #diversityandinclusion

What is Woke Marketing? Woke marketing refers to the practice of brands taking a stand on social, political, and environmental issues. It involves aligning marketing strategies with values such as equality, diversity, sustainability, and justice. The goal is to resonate with a socially conscious consumer base, often millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions. The concept of woke marketing is rooted in the broader social movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. The civil rights movement, feminist movements, LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and more have paved the way for brands to adopt stances on these issues. With the rise of social media, consumers now have a platform to voice their opinions, making it imperative for brands to be socially aware and responsive. Woke marketing is characterized by: Authenticity: Genuine commitment to social causes, rather than superficial gestures. Transparency: Clear communication of values and actions. Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and promoting equal opportunities. Activism: Taking proactive steps to support causes, not just passive endorsement. Today's consumers, especially younger generations, are more socially and environmentally conscious than ever before. They seek brands that reflect their values and are willing to support businesses that take a stand on issues they care about. This shift in consumer behavior has driven the need for purpose-driven marketing. #marketing #business Read Complete Article at : https://lnkd.in/gDzh828z

What is Woke Marketing? Woke marketing refers to the practice of brands taking a stand on social, political, and environmental issues. It involves aligning marketing strategies with values such as equality, diversity, sustainability, and justice. The goal is to resonate with a socially conscious consumer base, often millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions. The concept of woke marketing is rooted in the broader social movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. The civil rights movement, feminist movements, LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and more have paved the way for brands to adopt stances on these issues. With the rise of social media, consumers now have a platform to voice their opinions, making it imperative for brands to be socially aware and responsive. Woke marketing is characterized by: Authenticity: Genuine commitment to social causes, rather than superficial gestures. Transparency: Clear communication of values and actions. Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and promoting equal opportunities. Activism: Taking proactive steps to support causes, not just passive endorsement. Today's consumers, especially younger generations, are more socially and environmentally conscious than ever before. They seek brands that reflect their values and are willing to support businesses that take a stand on issues they care about. This shift in consumer behavior has driven the need for purpose-driven marketing. #marketing #business Read Complete Article at : https://lnkd.in/gy5cF6Ye

The future of sports is female! My latest Forbes article, "KickGlass Marketing Playbook For Brands Investing In Women’s Sports," dives into the unprecedented growth of women's sports and the unique marketing opportunities it presents. From record-breaking revenues to the rise of new leagues, women's sports are taking center stage but traditional marketing strategies are falling short. 🚫 In the first of a series, my latest article on the Forbes CMO Network introduces KickGlass Marketing, a groundbreaking approach that prioritizes authenticity, empathy, and understanding the unique challenges faced by female athletes. 💪 By embracing this approach, brands can tap into the explosive growth of women's sports while making a meaningful impact on gender equality. 🌟 Miami University Miami University Farmer School of Business 🌈 #WomenInSports #MarketingInnovation #BrandPurpose #Marketing #Forbes #KickGlassmarketing #DEI #inclusivemarketing #purposedrivenmarketing #Empowerment Read more: