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Stuck in a creative rut?  Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. So, it's important to look for inspiration wherever you can find it to get your creative juices flowing! Here are some of the accounts we're loving at the moment... SURREAL — we absolutely LOVE everything these guys are doing. They've nailed socials and continue to surprise their audience with clever marketing campaigns. A true breath of fresh air! Creative Review — if you want to keep up with the latest creative trends and updates from the marketing world, this account posts relevant and thought-provoking pieces that'll spark new ideas. It's Nice That — 'Championing creativity since 2007' is this page's tagline, and it certainly delivers on that commitment! Sharing stories and insights from the global creative community, this account is a must-follow.  Design by Women — this platform celebrates and showcases women and marginalised genders currently working in the design industry. What's not to love? Got any other suggestions? Leave them in the comments! #CreativeInspiration #CreativeAccounts #CreativeCommunity

You can look for the photographic evidence, but you won't find it. That real Gen X and boomer women exist. Here's why -> Stock images of Gen X women 45 + look nothing like us. Trust me, I've tried and you might have done too. -> The stereotyping of women over 40, 50, 60+ in stock images is shocking. -> There's a total disconnect what this generation looks like today. -> And then there's the lack of diversity and inclusion. I'm not sure who's responsible, but I can guess. So what happens? -> Marketing campaigns and outreach to attract Gen X women face plant. -> Trying to find images to use is an eye roll doom scroll. -> You might as well set fire to the money you've spent. -> And the hooourrrrs you've wasted looking 🙄 Something needs to change. And it starts here. Photographer extraordinaire, Julie Harris and I are collaborating to create a Gen X female stock imagery library that makes sourcing and using images you as founders, brand / agency owners and consumers much more rewarding! We will be reaching out to photography partners and potential models / influencers. Do you love this as much as I do??

🤔 How many people know your brand? 🤷🏻♀️ Who are they? (age? location? gender? household income?) 🙋🏻♂️ What do they think and feel about your brand? Don't stress if you can't answer these questions... I speak to lots of wonderful marketers at amazing brands who also don't know how to answer these. 😳 Why? Brand research can be expensive and confusing 😳 If you can relate, and aren't sure where to start, there's a really cool article we wrote on the easiest, most affordable ways to get started (in the comments). Have a great week marketers! 😍

The #ShareTheLoad campaign by Ariel? WOW! An impactful case study in tackling gender stereotypes through laundry. Ariel's interactive campaign sparked real conversations. Have you seen the results? Share your thoughts! #VelocityIndia #VgoWow #eventmanagement #events #experientialmarketing #brandmanagement #brandengagement #eventprofs #branding #brandstrategy #marketing #creativesolutions #contentmarketing #creativesolutions #intellectualproperty #marketingcampaigns #targetedaudience #marketingresults #creativeagency

Why does representation in marketing matter? According to a global survey from Ipsos and the Female Quotient, 72% of consumers say most advertising doesn’t reflect the world around them, and 63% don’t see themselves represented in most marketing materials. If over half the population is not representatively portrayed in the media, brands and creatives have a massive opportunity to improve representation and reflect the world as it truly is. Learn more in this insightful article: https://lnkd.in/gHYrhCa9 #dei #diversityandinclusion #diversityequityinclusion #marketing #representationmatters #design #graphicdesign #creative

"Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants" is a high-fashion, aspirational billboard campaign by Leo Burnett UK for collective, Agency for Nature, that encourages women to adopt a slower lifestyle with the help of nature. Created by an all-female team and shot by photographer and former Vogue editor Ina Levy, the campaign drew inspiration from corporate hustle culture and pressures felt by young women to constantly be on the grind.    “For women in their 20s, life is a constant state of rushing. It’s hustle culture, it’s girl bossing. Society’s general narrative is we should be more productive and work harder. But in reality, sometimes we just want to forget about it, and these ads serve as a reminder that nature can be a much-needed distraction, it’s an essential part of life, and it’s a vibe. We were intrigued by the concept of creating a campaign which would have a better impact on the world, with the freedom of no brand guidelines, or client (other than nature)!" – Jas Nandoo and Georgette Fischer, Junior Creatives at Leo Burnett UK. Read more via: Campaign UK - https://lnkd.in/eT_8Zr3Q LBBonline - Little Black Book. - https://lnkd.in/dWUx_EZp   Purpose Disruptors The Glimpse Collective #advertisingagency #creativecampaign #agencyfornature

How do you picture a successful man in 2024?     We’re in the midst of a cultural shift when it comes to how men are depicted in the media, which presents a unique opportunity for brands to expand their depiction of men. Think of using visuals that are more creative, inclusive, and accurate in relation to how men see themselves today.    The visual experts at Getty Images break down everything you need to know, offering a progressive picture of men along with some insightful tips in this article. https://lnkd.in/eafQSmUP    #GettyImages #VisualGPS #authenticity #digitalmarketing #culture #masculinity

🕊️Dove Real Beauty Campaign: Genius marketing example 🕊️ Dove, a personal care brand, launched the Real Beauty Campaign in 2004 with the goal of challenging traditional notions of beauty and promoting a more inclusive and diverse representation of women in the media. Real Beauty Sketches: One of the most famous aspects of the campaign was the "Real Beauty Sketches" video. In this experiment, an FBI-trained forensic artist created composite sketches of women based on their own descriptions and descriptions from strangers. The video highlighted how women often perceive themselves more critically than others do. Campaign Imagery: Dove used images featuring women of various ages, body shapes, and ethnicities in its advertising, challenging the industry's standard of using predominantly slim and airbrushed models. Social Media Engagement: The campaign encouraged women to share their own definitions of beauty on social media, creating a powerful conversation around the topic. Evolution of Beauty: Dove released the "Evolution" video, showing the transformation of a model through makeup and digital enhancements, shedding light on the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the beauty industry. Results: * The Dove Real Beauty Campaign garnered widespread attention and positive reception. * The Real Beauty Sketches video became one of the most-watched online branded videos. * The campaign sparked discussions on body image, self-esteem, and the impact of media portrayal on women. The Dove Real Beauty Campaign is often cited as an example of genius marketing for its bold approach, authenticity, and success in sparking a meaningful dialogue around beauty standards. Keep in mind that the landscape of marketing is continually evolving, and new case studies may emerge over time. 🌐 #DoveRealBeauty #MarketingCaseStudy #InclusivityInMarketing

Unlocking Gen Z: How Your Brand Can Tap into this Gold Mine. As we move into the future, Gen Z emerges as a powerhouse of digital natives, shaping trends, and driving change, making it necessary for all brands/businesses to connect with and tap into this market. Many brands struggle to connect with Gen Z for several reasons, including their liberal mindset. Gen Z is the only generation that collectively believes in equality and individual liberty. Gen Z's recognize, support, and promote values such as pluralism, tolerance, autonomy, bodily integrity, and consent. This explains why they are more vocal and likely to stand up for their rights even when the consequences are dire. The above and more make it hard for brands to connect with and tap into the Gen Z market. However, brands must connect with this generation because Gen Z is the largest consumer group in history. Brands can connect with this dynamic generation and create future-proof businesses. Here is how: ✔ Establish clear values and mission that support/align with the causes that matter to Gen Z's. Be it LGBTQ+ rights, social responsibility, or diversity, make sure your values and mission support that. ✔ Be transparent and accountable. Gen Z's value authenticity even though they like to portray fake lifestyles on social media. So, show them the real you (your flaws and all) and they will trust and be loyal to your business. ✔ Establish your brand's personality. Gen Z's crave connection. So, be witty, relatable, and human to inject personality into your brand and you'll definitely connect with Gen Z's. ✔ Be entertaining. Shoot those entertaining TikTok videos or Instagram reels (their main playgrounds) and engage them with humor, creativity, and a dash of quirkiness. ✔ Build a community. Gen Z's thrive in online communities. Create online spaces where they feel heard, valued, and part of something bigger. Remember, Gen Z's are not just a gold mine market; they are co-creators of your brand's future. Embrace their energy, adaptability, and zest for change and your business will thrive today and in the future. PS: As an Executive VA, I can help you connect with and tap into the Gen Z market using effective and proven strategies. Just reach out.

How can a brand bypass performative action and lead with empathy in their advertising? Ask women behind the scenes to offer their input into your campaigns. You need their perspectives to assess how women will receive it. Consider focus groups, product testing, surveys, etc., to gather information you can use to tweak your messaging and position your brand. Involve women in the ideation of campaigns. That includes strategy, writing, art direction, casting, and everything in front of and behind the camera. Educate yourself about women’s lived experiences by reading their stories, learning about their concerns, and understanding your unconscious biases. Approach it from an inclusive angle and understand each woman represents multiple identities. Do the research. Identifying as a woman can come with blindspots, biases, and a lack of firsthand insight into other women’s experiences. Women are not a monolith, so it’s vital to explore other women’s perspectives, preferences, and pain points with research like attitudinal segmentation (our research methodology), focus groups, interviews, etc. You don’t know unless you ask. Be careful of performative action inertia. Just because everybody’s doing it doesn’t mean you should too, or you should do it the same way they are. Be authentic to your brand and empathetic to your customers. Showing up for women should be every day, not reserved for Women’s History Month. Check out our executive summary to learn more about how women of all ages, household incomes, marital statuses, and more feel about advertising. And if you’re working on an ad that needs women at the creative helm, connect with our team. We’re ready to help!