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Every inclusive brand doesn't have to look and sound the same. They don't have to speak on the same issues, serve the same customers, or show up in the same way. That'd be pretty boring -- and would seem kind of odd with the lack of diversity of approaches. So just because Rihanna's brands serve everyone, that doesn't mean that you have to as well. Just because Ben & Jerry's is deep in the trenches from a social justice standpoint, that doesn't mean that you have to too. Do you Boo. Inclusive marketing is all about being intentional about choosing who you will serve, and how you will show up. That means you also get to choose which type of inclusive brand you will be. Not sure how to do that? Take this quick quiz to discover what inclusive brand type you are: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Building an inclusive brand is a lot like tending a garden. For both, having the right mindset is essential to enable you to not only weather any challenges, but to also get the results you're looking for. Here are a few key lessons to embrace to give you the mindset you need to build an inclusive brand. Get the episode transcript here Find out what your inclusive brand type is: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz

When it comes to cultural events and celebrations, particularly those honoring underrepresented and underserved communities, your brand’s participation is a great way to make these communities feel seen by you, and a way for you to demonstrate that they do indeed belong with you. Now, I'm not saying that you have to celebrate these events to communicate and send signals of belonging to the people you want to serve. But this is one way that you can do that. Creating an inclusive marketing calendar is a smart way for you to be intentional about figuring out which celebrations your brand will take part in, and which ones you won’t. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Key points covered in this episode: The role of inclusion in performance marketing Where many performance marketing campaigns fall short with regard to inclusion Why so many people are often excluded from performance marketing campaigns Why inclusive marketing is a solution to ad fatigue The key question you should ask to enable you to include more people in your ad campaigns The data you need to build more inclusive campaigns and the caution you should use when analyzing it How to ensure your partners in performance marketing have an inclusive mindset Get the episode transcript here Links and resources mentioned in this episode: www.apiarydigital.com Algorithms of Oppression The End of the Majority, and What it Means for Your Brand with Julye Williams - Inclusion & Marketing podcast episode 11 About Karen Amundsen: I'm a white lady named Karen, passionate about racial equity. As the Founder and Chair of Apiary Digital, the area I'm able to have the biggest impact is in business and marketing. Apiary Digital is a full-service performance marketing collective headquartered in the cloud. We believe that humans are greater than business, and that inclusive performance marketing is one and the same as succeeding in our client's customer acquisition goals. What inclusive brand type are you? Take this quick quiz to find out: www.inclusivemarketing.co/quiz

Representation matters. It isn’t enough to just have representation of the talent in front of the camera. It is just as important to have representation and or expertise behind the camera that is poised to capture diverse talent in the proper light (pun intended). Remember, the people you serve need to see themselves or who they aspire to be reflected in the visual imagery your brand puts forth. If your brand regularly publishes imagery of diverse communities that they don’t think is flattering, then they will get the message that they don’t belong with you. The effort you put into securing representative talent won’t yield the results you like if people are disappointed with the imagery. The next time you and your team start preparing for a photo, video, or content shoot that features and includes diverse talent, it is imperative that you take the time to give proper thought to these roles behind the camera to ensure you get a final product all can be pleased with. Get the episode transcript here ElleUK Wakanda Forever Cover: https://twitter.com/ELLEUK/status/1575763902121803776/photo/1 Elle Brasil Viola Davis Cover: https://twitter.com/ellebrasil/status/1570475582160240640/photo/1 Vogue Simone Biles Cover: https://twitter.com/BritniDWrites/status/1281713398963564544/ ------ What inclusive brand type are you? Take the quiz here to find out. www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz

A big barrier to effectively engaging with diverse consumers and communities is the way we think. In many instances, we default to our own frame of reference, perspectives, and ways of doing things. However that limits your ability to practice empathy and to give consumers who are different from you exactly what they need from you. In this episode, I walk you through the essential practice of decentering yourself, they key areas you need to focus on doing it, and of course, I offer up practical ways to do it as well. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Some brands do really well when it comes to celebrating communities during their heritage months, like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, PRIDE, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian-American and Pacific-Islander Month. However, there are plenty others that struggle. And there’s also a large group of brands that stay on the sidelines, because they aren’t sure how to engage, or even if they should. So as we get closer to a new year, and it’s time to decide about what your brand will celebrate and what you won’t - I thought it’d be helpful for you to bring in some reinforcements to help guide you. That’s why I chatted with Arturo Gutierrez, the SVP of Strategy at Codeword, an integrated marketing agency. Arturo and his team at Codeword did a survey to find out what consumers want with regard to these types of celebrations – and the insights, and the discussion we have around them is relevant and applicable for you – no matter your size, your budget, or your experience engaging with communities in this manner. Get the episode transcript here Key Points: Why brands should consider celebrating heritage months for diverse communities How you should be thinking about the people who are buying your product Why so many diverse communities are indifferent to heritage month campaigns, and what to do about it What you should and shouldn’t be measuring as it relates to heritage month celebrations How brands should think about the objective of heritage month campaigns How to ensure your heritage month celebrations leave a lasting impact What diverse communities want from brands during heritage months and beyond About Arturo Gutierrez Arturo Gutierrez is the SVP of Strategy at Codeword, an integrated marketing agency that develops smart marketing strategies, manages editorial and social channels, and drives news coverage for tech clients both big and small. A former management consultant having advised Fortune 500 clients across The Americas, Europe and the Middle East, Arturo’s expertise include leadership, marketing strategy, and organizational growth. Links https://twitter.com/Art_Gutierrez https://www.codewordagency.com/ Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

"Hire a diverse team" is often the advice and cry people tout when brands struggle with being inclusive with their marketing. So common practice, is to tap into diverse talent to get them to provide their feedback and expertise on various topics related to campaigns and internal initiatives. But this isn't always the right thing to do, and can impede your efforts to make your diverse talent feel like they belong with you. No bueno. In this episode, I walk you through common challenges with this approach, and what you should do instead to get the feedback you need, tap into the power of having a diverse team, while also making them feel like they belong. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Cultural appropriation happens more often than in should. And inappropriate use of a culture not your own happens even more often. Both of these practices are harmful, and in this episode I'm walking you through clear examples of both, and giving you practical guidance on how not to engage in them. In addition, you'll walk away with practical guidance on how you as an individual and consumer can play a role in shutting down these practices as well. Get the episode transcript here Here are the links mentioned in the episode: Hailey Beiber make trend rant - Shantal Smith The cultural appropriation of yoga - Blair Imani The Maasai People Take Back Their Brand Dia de los Muertos Barbie Walks a Fine Line Between Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation Kim Kardashian West's Kimono underwear meets Japanese backlash How Disney redeemed itself with 'Coco' after the Dia de Muertos trademark fiasco Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

All over the world, but specifically in the United States, there has been a lot going on in the past few years. From the Black Lives Matter movement that gained momentum in the wake of George Floyd's murder just two years ago, to the surge of Asian hate during the pandemic, and now another hate crime in Buffalo. And to be frank, I am disappointed in the responses to this event, or lack thereof from many businesses. With this uptick in interest in social justice matters, it is more important than ever for businesses to stand for what they believe in. In the season finale of the Inclusion and Marketing Podcast, I share: The importance of brands expressing their beliefs and taking action around important social and political issues affecting the current climate How to get started on brand advocacy How to be authentic when shaping your brand advocacy Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Today we’re going to explore the critical link between equity and customer success with a very special guest! My sister Deborah Pickett, a middle school math instructional trainer and coach, will share her valuable words of wisdom for those who are ready to embark on the lifelong process of being dedicated to equity. Our conversation will cover: What is the difference between equity and equality? From a business standpoint, what happens when equity isn’t prioritized? How to start using data to analyze potential equity issues in your business? What is the link between equity and access? What do equitable practices look like? What does it mean to say that justice is in the details? What is the relationship between equity, empathy, and compassion? What is the water vs the fish principle, and what are some real world examples of this way of thinking? Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Why should business leaders consider text communication as part of their digital marketing strategy? In this episode, we’ll have an enlightening discussion with Bianca Blake, co-founder of Klickrr, about best practices for text marketing, and how text messaging can help brands develop a deeper degree of intimacy with the people they want to serve. We also cover: What are the advantages of text marketing? The relationship between inclusive marketing and customer experience The importance of taking your audience’s preferences into account when developing brand communication strategies Realizing that inclusion isn't always about demographics--sometimes it's about giving people the option to engage with your brand according to their personal preferences Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

What does it mean to be antiracist? Today we’re going to cover what antiracism is, what it looks like in business, and how you can work to embody antiracist principles on a daily basis. To help us with this, I brought in an expert on the topic, Dr. Nicole Charles. Nicole is a wellness entrepreneur as well as an intersectional feminist and antiracist educator, author, researcher and professor of women and gender studies. We’ll talk about: The concept of antiracism as a whole, and specifically in the business world Examples of racist practices that permeate business that are more common than you might think The importance of investing in and learning from Black, Indigenous People of Color After making the commitment to antiracism, where do people commonly get tripped up? The challenges that arise when society and businesses lean towards centering only the most privileged identities Recommended resources for further reading and learning Nicole’s delicious recipes at healmedelicious.com (Check out the pumpkin spice cake donuts!) Nicole's Embodying Equity Course It’s important to really think about your values and how they can guide your business decisions. As you work on applying what Nicole and I covered today in your own life and business, take the time to think about a specific scenario in your life where you could decenter the predominant narrative. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

Business is about belonging, and identity is a critical aspect of belonging. As you work to build an inclusive brand, it’s essential to think carefully about identity and what types of categorizations are necessary. As we dive into this complex topic, I’ll go over challenges, real-world examples and strategies to help you approach your customer’s various identities. Identity matters. Don't take shortcuts with it! The people you serve will reward you when you take the time to get it right. This episode will also cover: Common questions including the difference between ethnicity and race The various challenges that can arise when categorizing groups of consumers How categorizations and the data associated with them can help companies identify equity concerns and gaps Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion and Marketing newsletter

Words matter! They have the power to uplift and include, as well as tear down and exclude. In your quest to make your audience feel like they belong with you, it’s essential to use inclusive language. But how do you start creating written content that creates a culture of belonging? Nailah King, founder of The Content Witches, shares insights into how conscious business leaders can learn to craft messaging that helps foster transformative change and create a sense belonging within their communities. My conversation with Nailah also covers: What is inclusive language and what is its connection to belonging? Idioms, binaries, appropriation and other examples of language that can be harmful How can you determine if your content isn’t inclusive or needs an update? How can you maintain transparency throughout the process? How to use tools like etymonline.com Essential forms of content governance including inclusive language policies and brand style guides Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Today we're going to talk about a common type of toxic relationship between brands and underrepresented communities: Extraction. True inclusive marketing is about sharing power and creating belonging. Belonging cannot exist when one party is constantly extracting value from the other. As we dive deeper into the concept of extraction, I will share examples from today’s business world with the hope that by bringing these harmful practices to light, we can all start to do better. This episode will also cover: The concept of co-creation and the different forms it can take Best practices for engaging with communities you want to learn from and the dangers of traditional market research Lessons learned from a popular Disney film How to start adding value instead of extracting it, so everyone wins Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

We know that inclusive marketing is the future of marketing. As we move towards this future, more and more cutting-edge tools are becoming available to help brands assess their progress. How inclusive is your brand’s visual communication? In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Raquelle Zuzarte, Founder and CMO of Equity Project for All, and Frederico Salvitti, Tech & AI Specialist. Their AI platform, Gradient, shows brands where they stand on diversity and inclusion through comprehensive data-driven analysis of their visual imagery. Our conversation will cover: What is the current state of representation and marketing from a diversity and inclusion standpoint? What are examples of major brands or industries that have been making strides in these categories? How to build customer intimacy through listening and observation The importance of authentically and sincerely expressing your brand’s core purpose How brands can start building stories around people who have traditionally been underrepresented and underserved How the Implicit Association Test can help you recognize and address your blind spots Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Equality is essential in certain aspects of society. But in some situations, unapologetically treating people differently will help you win the attention, adoration and loyalty of more consumers, especially people that brands often ignore. As a business leader, how can you decide when it's appropriate to treat everyone equally, and when you should treat certain groups of people differently? In this episode, I will go through my 3-step process for identifying these situations, so you can do a better job of consistently making life better for the people you serve while also making them feel like they belong with you and your brand. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

The Census Bureau projects that by 2043, the US will become a minority-majority. What does this major shift in the makeup of our population mean for your business? In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with my friend Julye Williams, founder of Project 2043, about how business leaders can start leaning into the power of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Be prepared to do the inner work! The first step is to acknowledge and accept that our world is changing. After reflecting and setting your intentions, you can begin to think about how you can help your business thrive in a diverse society. My conversation with Julye will also cover: What does it really mean to be a good ally? The relationship between inclusion and power How to exercise your power to help level the playing field within your sphere of influence Advice for small business owners How to create more equity, balance and opportunity both personally and professionally Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

The last thing you want to do as a brand is exclude potentially loyal customers. One of the best ways to make sure you aren’t doing that is by creating a Buyer Persona. In this episode, I talk about how creating a Buyer Persona and treating those that fall under that profile as your friends will create a more inclusive brand that consumers keep coming back to. In this episode I go over: How creating a buyer persona create a roadmap for your company to follow to bring ideal customers closer to your brand 3 ways that having a Buyer Persona will help your brand create content How excluding people in your buyer persona if done intentionally can actually help your brand 3 ways to tell if your buyer personas are a repellent to potentially loyal customers 4 steps to include your intended customers into your buyer persona Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Who decides what is mainstream? In today’s episode, I talk to Gelaine Santiago about how she rewrote her script and lead her companies by focusing on her story. Gillian began her businesses' branding by following the conventional idea of “mainstream,” but it wasn’t until she ditched that idea that she saw her customer base grow like never before. Gelaine is the CEO of Cambio & Co, a Filipino jewelry company, and Sinta & Co, a Filipino wedding company. Through running those companies she has learned about the power of storytelling, and now helps small businesses and entrepreneurs reach new audiences through the mastery of storytelling. We also talk about: How to defy the gatekeepers What mainstream actually is How brands can authentically represent differences even if their team are not a part of those communities Connect with Gelaine: Her website Her brands Cambio & Co. and Sinta & Co. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

An inclusive brand means an inclusive culture. In this episode I cover how to approach building a company culture that is healthy, competitive, and most importantly: inclusive. Some of the points that I cover include: How building a core document (value statement, company statement, or mission statement) codifies company values and culture for your team Ways that brands weave their core company values into their social media content 3 high level steps to build and nurture a company culture that is healthy and competitive Lead by example The importance of starting the work at the top of the company ladder in order to set a tone for the entire company Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Brands have power. Your consumer wants to see a reflection of themselves in your marketing. They want to be treated equally, not discriminated against for any pre-existing conditions. In this episode, I share my journey of finding health insurance after quitting my full-time job and going freelance and my struggles of getting affordable coverage due to my pre-existing condition. I also cover examples with Unilever, my husband Jonathan’s experiences, and the ADA. What is the impact on the people who have the problem that your business solves who can’t achieve the process of the transformation you deliver because they can’t access it? Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

In this week's episode, I interview Desiree about how a company’s brand and DEI (Diversity Equity, and Inclusion) must be considered and developed to create a positive employee experience. Company culture has shifted away from “you’re lucky to have this job,” and instead given a lot more control to the employee. Desiree and I go over what companies need to think about to attract ideal talent and then retain them. We go over: The importance of investing in the candidate and employee experience How creating a good company culture can directly impact your employee's ability to deliver their best work and be their best selves How to balance social proof without doing it in a performative way Is it important to think about all different levels of employees (full-time, part-time, contractors, etc.)? Get the episode transcript Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Tevia has been in the fitness business for 18+ years, and in today’s episode, I talk to her about her role in creating a more inclusive space in the fitness world. We cover: What inclusive means in the fitness world, price inclusivity, location inclusivity, and how all of those play a factor in Tevia’s business Tevia’s experience running her own Cycling Studio and how she broke down norms by bringing on a more unique set of instructors than what the industry standard used to be How CycleBar creates a community bound by inclusivity specifically by working outside of the studio walls CycleBars work in fundraising for different causes including MS, environmental damaged areas, and riders who are in need Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

As you can probably tell in the title of today's episode- I'm sharing a bit more about me and how I became an Inclusive Marketing Strategist. I share my journey through multiple different corporate jobs, at places like Inc and Johnson & Johnson, and how those jobs taught me the importance of inclusion. I open up about some of the tough moments that really shaped who I am today. Along with my career path, I also cover my travels across the globe: my journey to China and India, as well as my experiences in South America and a few of the details of my love story! Thank you so much for listening, and being a part of this ongoing journey. If you enjoyed today's episode please consider sharing this episode or rating it below! Get the episode transcript Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

If you’re new here — welcome. This show is about one thing:how to drive growth by removing the friction that stops customers from moving forward. Because most brands don’t have a traffic problem. They don’t have a content problem. They don’t even have a targeting problem. They have a friction problem. The kind that shows up when customers land on your brand and ask one question: “Is this for someone like me?” And when the answer isn’t clear — they don’t complain. They don’t give feedback. They just leave. On this podcast, we break down the real reasons growth strategies underperform — and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to: Identify the hidden friction in your customer experience Build more effective buyer personas and growth strategies Improve conversion by making your marketing more relevant Design for the full mosaic of customers you want to reach If you’re a marketing leader, founder, or strategist looking to unlock more efficient, sustainable growth — you’re in the right place. Hit follow and start with one of the latest episodes. Get the Frictionless Growth Lab newsletter: www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com/newsletter

The future is more diverse than it has ever been, which means the makeup of the people your business serves is shifting. In this episode, I go over how to translate the changing demographics of the day-to-day world into your business marketing. Together lets reimagine who your Ideal Customer Avatar is to be more inclusive to all, not just to the “typical” customer that businesses spent decades focusing on. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

In this episode, I interview Antoine Andrews, who has been in the diversity field for almost 20 years and is currently the Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer at Momentive (formally known as Survey Monkey). We cover: The research done on diversity on Momentive The shift in consciousness he's noticed over the last 15-18 months What he believes is most important to gain from the research What he thinks is most important for businesses to focus on moving forward Get the episode transcript here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Welcome to the first episode of the Inclusion and Marketing Podcast! In this episode, I cover what inclusivity really is. It’s 2022, and it’s time for every business owner to know how important it is to completely redefine their rules. Gone were the days where just adding a seat to the table is enough. One size does not fit all. Join me on this journey as I dig deeper into not only how to be more inclusive, but why it is the future of business marketing. Get the episode transcript here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter