NBCUniversal’s Post

Ever wondered why, despite widespread DEI initiatives, many companies still fall short in meaningful change? Dive into my latest essay where I explore the entertainment industry's approach to diversity and uncover the pitfalls of 'checkbox diversity.' From Amazon's diversity guidelines to the challenges of genuine inclusion, I break down how numbers-driven strategies can often miss the mark and what we can do to foster real progress. Click the link below to read the full essay and join the conversation on how we can move beyond superficial efforts to create truly inclusive workplaces. #DiversityAndInclusion #CorporateCulture #DEI #CreativeIndustries #InclusiveWorkplace

Issa Rae Launches Ensemble to Champion Multicultural Creators Exciting news in the creator economy! Issa Rae, renowned for her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, has unveiled her latest venture, Ensemble. This innovative platform is set to transform the way brands connect with multicultural digital talent, ensuring that creators of color are no longer an afterthought in media planning. Ensemble's mission is clear: to harness substantial media budgets, not just the limited funds often allocated for diversity initiatives. By partnering high-profile brands like Chili's and Popeye's with rising stars such as TikToker Leo Gonzalez and NFL icon Dallas Turner, Ensemble is redefining engagement in our culturally rich society. With 40% of U.S. consumers identifying as multicultural, Ensemble's strategy is not just necessary; it's business-savvy. Montrel McKay, a key collaborator with Issa Rae, emphasizes that the goal is to capture significant media investments to truly amplify diverse voices. This move by Issa Rae is a game-changer for the advertising world, steering us towards more authentic and inclusive marketing strategies. It's thrilling to see such initiatives that promise substantial impact, driven by leaders who are truly passionate about equality in representation. #DiversityInMedia #CreativeEconomy #IssaRae #Ensemble #MulticulturalMarketing #InnovationInAdvertising

Creative Equals and Creativebrief launch RISE Trend Report 📈 To amplify voices for change and learn from the brands successfully embracing inclusion, for the third time, Creativebrief has partnered with Creative Equals to create a trend report sharing the key insights from Creative Equal’s flagship RISE event The report will amplify the key themes of the conference including the importance of inclusive marketing and why brands should embrace the ‘Return on Inclusion'. Leading marketers will share how inclusion can drive both creativity and profitability "All marketing needs to sit in a Human Rights framework. Instead of rolling back or rolling over on diversity, equity and inclusion, we need to lead the roll out." - Ali Hanan, CEO of Creative Equals sign up to receive the trend report: https://lnkd.in/ewnSXK9a

Embracing Representation: The Power of Seeing Ourselves On Stage The stage is not just a platform for performance; it should act as a mirror, reflecting society. As creators and performers, it's our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our audiences feels seen, heard, and represented. At Pop Up, we uphold this responsibility by creating an environment where diversity thrives. Regardless of gender, age, body shape, or race, every individual who experiences one of our productions should leave feeling empowered and valued. This applies to both our audience members and performers. But how does this commitment impact our clients? By partnering with a company that prioritizes diversity, our clients not only open their doors to a broader audience but also create a welcoming space for those who may have previously felt excluded. This inclusivity doesn't just lead to larger audience sizes; it translates into increased footfall, extended dwell times, and ultimately, a greater return on investment. At Pop Up, we believe that embracing representation isn't just the right thing to do—it's also the smart thing to do. That's why it's a huge part of our mission to #MakeEntertainmentTheDestination.

My colleague and friend Tim Donnelly reminded me of this "WORLDS APART" video a while back and it is still as powerful as ever. We all have differences. Sometimes we think our differences will divide us. But conversation can always unite us. Please take 4 minutes to watch this The HEINEKEN Company clip produced by Publicis London if you haven't before. It's truly eye opening. https://lnkd.in/gTtWexj4 #WorldsApart #Acceptance #AcceptanceMatters #Visibility #VisibilityMatters #Publicis #PublicisLondon #Heineken #DEI #DEIB #Kindness #KindnessMatters #Diversity #DiversityMatters #Equity #EquityMatters #Equality #EqualityMatters #Inclusion #InclusionMatters #BelongingMatters #DifferencesMakeUsStronger #StrongerTogether

#Culture is who we are. It's not a day, a month, or a time of year. It's our identity. Successful #multiculturalmarketing demands more than just a superficial glance—it's about embracing cultural nuances, traditions, and behaviors. Ready to explore beyond the surface? Dive into our Unpacking Cultural Pride report and create resonant campaigns that foster #inclusivity and #representation. ➡ https://bit.ly/49ITxks #diversity #diversityandinclusion #diversityinmarketing #culturaldiversity #marketingreport #audio #audioadvertising #advertising #audienceinsights #consumerdata #datadrivenstrategies

With Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in full swing, check-out my latest PRWeek op-ed on why we need to continue to double down on the importance of #DEI at a time when diversity initiatives are losing steam across our industry. The Sway Effect #SwayEffectCannes #CannesLions2024

The theme for #InternationalWomensDay this year is #InspireInclusion. TPN and the Motion Picture Association constantly strive to build a more inclusive culture. How do you think more companies can work to achieve inclusion in an industry that is traditionally dominated by men? #entertainment #mediaandentertainment #entertainmentindustry

In a way, culture is the answer to polarisation: polarisation divides, whereas culture connects. Brands that create culture thus create connection. A sense of belonging. A shared identity. However, they are not mutually exclusive – polarisation has the potential to amplify culture, whilst at the same time, strong culture can alienate and therefore polarise. You have to find a healthy balance. Want to learn how? Check out our article. This article is part of a series of articles in the WARC's Guide to Creating Cultural Advantage. Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/g9yet4M7 #CulturalUnderstanding #BrandImpact #Polarisation #CulturalInsights #MeaningfulEngagement #Culture

We need to talk about class in the creative sector. Tonight, we're teaming up with Common People and The Social Mobility Foundation to raise awareness of the lack of social mobility in the creative sector and how to create more opportunities for working-class talent. The creative sector is under increasing scrutiny for poor representation, with only 26% of workers from a working-class background compared to 39% of the UK workforce. Privileged individuals are twice as likely to work in creative industries, and 40% of top cultural award nominees in the past decade attended private school, compared to only 7% of the population. In Film and TV, working-class representation is even lower—just 10% of workers, and the lowest in a decade. We'll be hearing insights from an expert panel including Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation; Tony Schumacher, screenwriter and novelist; Martin Currie, CEO of Citypress, and Lisa Thompson FIPA, co-founder of Common People and Strategy Lead at Wavemaker. #SocialMobility #DiversityInCreativity