Mason Williams’ Post

Not sure how this window display has made it to one of the most famous streets in the world (Oxford Street). It doesn’t feel thought-out to me. 😳 It’s part of a new Selfridges window display which is all about jokes. I feel this may be one joke gone wrong - the symbolism could cause offence to many. While others may not feel the same, this did trigger a response in me. 🙏🏽 Often mistakes are made simply because teams don’t have relevant cultural insight. Getting input from experts and diverse audiences themselves can make all the difference. #Diversity #Inclusion #Advertising #Culture

I know we are away from the Barbie Bruhaha but I just got time to see the movie 10 minutes into Barbie movie and all I can see is a strategic use of covert advertising by Mattel. Telling the brand story and driving product information awareness as well as brand awareness for the Barbie brand. I saw inclusion with races, body types and ideologies positioned as beautiful further opening the brand as the standard for beauty and breaking stereotypes. Even though I almost got confused by all the Kens and Barbies. So, from the marketing to the actual movie, it was all marketing. An attempt to connect with the consumers and scale personalization using movie as a passion point. Genius business and marketing strategy I must say. 📸 Warner Bros. #marketing #marketingstrategy #barbiemovie #inclusion #covert

You don‘t get to pick and choose where you celebrate #Pride. #JakeTake: LGBTQIA+ people are everywhere, and if you want to support us, you need to do it everywhere. Sadly, Target (US) is setting the tone for #PrideMonth, with their new offering only “available on Target.com and in select stores, based on historical sales performance”. Pride isn't about sales performance! It’s wildly ironic that a collection which presumably exists for #visibility won’t be seen in places where visibility is needed the most. Or perhaps it really is all about profit... My suggestion to Target: increase security in ”select” stores to support staff, or acknowledge your ”allyship” is simply marketing and stop #pinkwashing.

#inclusionmatters Thank you, Andre Joyner, for sharing... 🌟 Embracing Diversity Through Fashion: A Spotlight on JCPenney's Hope & Wonder 🌟 Today, I'm inspired by JCPenney's remarkable journey with their Hope & Wonder brand, a vibrant testament to the power of diversity and cultural celebration in corporate America. In 2022, JCPenney introduced Hope & Wonder as a brand and a beacon of inclusivity. Seeing their $1 million investment in cultural initiatives that resonate with America's rich tapestry is heartening. This commitment to celebrating diversity through fashion is a shining example for businesses everywhere. The Creative Coalition, led by the trailblazing Valerie Harris, embodies what it means to bring authenticity and representation to the retail space. Their work highlights the importance of seeing one's culture and heritage reflected in our products. It's not just about apparel; it's about identity, community, and shared history. I'm particularly moved by their choice of beneficiaries like Black Girls Smile and Latinitas. These partnerships go beyond monetary support; they build meaningful connections and uplift communities. As a leader in the professional development space, I see JCPenney's approach as a blueprint for how companies can foster an environment of inclusivity and respect. Their efforts align perfectly with the ethos of creating workplaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Their journey underscores a crucial lesson: When companies embrace diversity in words and actions, they don't just change brands; they transform lives. Read more here - https://lnkd.in/gX_PtS_Q #DiversityInBusiness #InclusiveFashion #HopeAndWonder #JCPenney

🎃 WHAT SCARES YOU ABOUT D&I? 👻 To honour #halloween, we wanted to address the two most common fears in #diversityandinclusion… 1. SAYING THE WRONG THING 🗣️ 55% of people are too scared to talk about diversity and inclusion in the workplace for fear of saying the wrong thing. We always say there’s a simple solution to this: JUST ASK! Unsure of which pronouns to use? Just ask! Not sure how someone would like to be described? Ask them! There may be times you get it wrong, but your effort and empathy should always be appreciated. 2. FEAR TO BE YOURSELF 🌹 This fear is why we do what we do. Everyone should feel included at work and have space to be their true selves. You can’t have #diversity without #inclusion. There are a lots ways to work towards a more inclusive culture & environment with your business. More ways than we could possibly outline in this post, so get in touch at www.anewnormal.co to find out how we can help your business.

🌟 No golden statue for Barbie today, but in the midst of all the glamour, Ken's Oscar-worthy performance stole the show last night. Adding an extra layer to the already iconic marketing journey behind the movie, which definitely earned its spot in the history books.🕺🎬 🎬 Curious to learn more? Check out the article my colleague Alexandra Ceulemans from The House of Marketing wrote on the topic. 🫶🏻🌸🦩 #Oscars #BarbieAndKen #MarketingMagic #TheHouseOfMarketing

I've noticed a growing trend over the past few years—many people seem less comfortable with others having opinions that differ from their own. A recent example that highlights this is the introduction of Blind Barbie. It's a topic that has sparked a lot of discussion, and it's definitely a bit like Marmite: some people love it, and others, like myself, are not so keen. I completely understand the intention behind creating Blind Barbie—it’s about inclusivity, and that's certainly a positive step forward. However, it's not something that resonates with me personally. I realize that you can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. What concerns me is how some of those who are in favor of Blind Barbie respond to differing opinions. When someone expresses a less favorable view, they often face harsh and dismissive comments. It seems that the moment someone shares a reasoned perspective on why they don't like it, the backlash only intensifies. It's important to remember that it's okay for us all to have different opinions—we're human, after all. We advocate for being treated as individuals, yet some seem intent on boxing us all into the same corner. Let’s continue to support respectful discussions and recognize that differing opinions are not only natural but valuable. After all, it’s our diversity of thought that truly drives progress. #Inclusion #DiversityOfThought #RespectfulDiscussions #BlindnessAwareness

🎃 Embracing Empowerment: Celebrating Creativity on Halloween In the realm of costumes and creativity, Halloween offers a powerful platform for women to express their strength, intelligence, and leadership in inspiring ways. It's a celebration of breaking free from conventional norms and stepping into roles that reflect the formidable forces we are. Choosing Characters of Impact: This Halloween, let's choose costumes that pay homage to the women who have shaped history, shattered glass ceilings, and paved the way for our dreams. From trailblazers like Frida Kahlo to space pioneers like Mae Jemison, every choice is a tribute to their enduring legacy. 🌈 Breaking Stereotypes, One Costume at a Time: This Halloween, let's challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a woman. Whether it's donning a lab coat, a pilot's uniform, or a cape, every choice is a step towards a world where our potential is limitless and our aspirations boundless. Building Bonds of Strength: Halloween is a chance to come together as a community of empowered women. Through group costumes that celebrate unity, we reinforce the idea that we are stronger together, supporting and lifting each other up. Igniting the Imagination of Future Leaders: As we step into the shoes of our chosen characters, we become living, breathing examples of strength and possibility for the next generation. We inspire young minds to believe that they too can be anything they set their hearts on. This Halloween, let our creativity be a testament to the limitless potential of women. Let our costumes be a declaration of our strength, our intelligence, and our unwavering belief in the power of empowerment. Together, we illuminate the path for a future where every woman is celebrated for the incredible force she is. #EmpoweredCostumes #HalloweenInspiration #CreativityUnleashed #WomenEmpowermentJourney #halloween #halloween2023 #halloween2023

This morning my daughter asked me: "what colors are the other kids?" after I told her that we're going to a friends' birthday party later. I was taken back by the question and first thought that she was wrong asking such a question (she’s mixed herself). But I asked: why? She answered: Just to know if there’s others like me. That’s why representation matters. We mirror ourselves in society and businesses, B2B and B2C, consciously or unconsciously. We want to be seen and feel there’s room for us. So, when companies like Mattel, Inc. dropped a new line of inclusive barbies (all colors, sizes and disabilities) in 2016 and continued this path up till now, many kids and adults could finally identify. Not only is it good for society but also business: between 2015-2022, Mattel increased revenue growth with 63% with their inclusion strategy (before the box office movie, Barbie). Maybe you’re thinking, great but we’re B2B and our buyers don’t care about diversity, only the product! My question is: who makes those products and who’s the face of your company? Companies who have diverse talents outperform 33% those who don’t and innovate 87% faster (HBR, McKinsey). Being intentional and inclusive in how we build our business, teams and marketing strategies is not a ‘nice to have’, it’s a competitive advantage that impacts the bottomline directly 🙌🏽 Agree? Images: Mattel #inclusion #business #marketing

A Spark of Creativity for Christmas - In December, workplaces tend to dial up the social aspects to celebrate both the contributions of colleagues and the festive season; a last opportunity to connect before everyone goes on break if you will. We're hearing a lot from Leaders, their Executive Assistants and their Team Members asking for some unusual but fun things that they can do. We find ourselves sharing and resharing the beauty of tapping into creativity using Lego as a theme. Some ideas could be: >> Take a team excursion to the local Lego store (if you have one) and tap into your inner child since it’s practically like a theme park inside! Great if you have to buy Lego for the below activities or give people the opportunity to do some personal Christmas shopping whilst bonding with colleagues >> Use Lego to build a representation of all of the things that team did in 2023 and celebrate your successes >> Use Lego to build what 2023 meant to each person and have them share their meaningful stories that are associated >> Use Lego to build a representation of the personal and professional goals that each person or the team has for 2024 >> Have a designated Lego table in a common area where people can come, play, build and connect during breaks or for when they want to get some inspiration - people will have conversations and connect in ways you’ve never seen before Here are some more suggestions in an article Lai-Ling Su wrote a while ago in celebration of International Lego Day which falls on 28 January every year: https://lnkd.in/gtgvGqj Get in touch if you're interested in tapping into the magic of using Lego at your next offsite or workshop to foster creativity and bring out quality conversations amongst your leadership team! #christmas #holidayseason #social #party #games #colleagues #employeeexperience #employeeengagement #employeewellbeing #executive #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #relationships #performance #wellbeing #relationshipbuilding #teambuilding #lego #legoseriousplay #creativity #strengths