The imperative for companies to include anti-racism, intersectionality
and inclusivity as cross-cutting filters when executing on their brand
purpose is strong. There is more pressure than ever coming from customers; and
there is increasing evidence to suggest that brands that truly embody these
issues
are more relevant and successful.
According to the most recent Edelman Trust
Barometer
survey, conducted in June, 78 percent of Americans aged 18-34 and 48 percent of
over-55s want brands to speak out against systemic racism following the death of
George Floyd. While 32 percent of Millennials globally believe that
businesses should try to improve society, only 16 percent think that brands are
doing so (Deloitte,
2019).
And it is estimated that refusing to adequately invest in diversity, equity and
inclusion also costs the UK an incredible £127 billion per
year.
Truly embracing anti-racism, intersectionality and inclusivity requires brands
to make a shift from a narrow/singular view of diversity — which is primarily
performative or
reactive
(it focuses solely on quotas, isolated marketing or campaigning, etc.) — to
thinking systemically and more long
term.
These ideas need to manifest across all brand touch-points from product and
service development, company culture, supply chain and sourcing to brand
activations (including marketing and campaigning) and beyond.
The brands embracing and acting on these ideas
holistically
are already changing the landscape; ushering in a new generation of brands that
are more relevant, accessible, and available to the diverse wants and needs of
today’s customers, users and citizens.
Here in the UK, British Vogue; Rihanna’s lingerie brand, Savage
x Fenty; and the publication
Gal-dem are just a few brands doing interesting work to
embrace radical representation inside and outside of their businesses. By
bringing this to the mainstream, they’re creating a decisive shift in
traditionally white-dominated industries. Other pioneers include
Jamii — which offers a new type of business model,
championing UK-based, black-owned brands and businesses; and in turn, the
digital marketplace creates more space in the market for ethnic minorities.
Brands such as Antidote Street,
Beautystack and Radswan
are bringing new products or services to address gaps in the beauty market. They
place emphasis on customer co-creation to shape things like product development,
marketing and events.
But a dramatic shift in diversity is only possible if the most exposed,
vulnerable and or marginalised groups have a seat at the table. To make this a
reality, brands need to look inside their
businesses
at whether their existing workforce is reflective of society; but also, they
find new ways to partner and collaborate with people outside of their business —
and this includes the most unheard voices. This shouldn’t just be about
understanding and generating insight; but enabling contribution to
decision-making around narratives, ideas and solutions.
Can you name any brands that are championing race within their purpose work and
doing it well?
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Strategist
Given
Suzanne Kimuyu is a strategist at London-based brand purpose agency, Given.
Published Oct 16, 2020 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST