In this episode Stacy and Sena delve into the critical subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), drawing insights from Kantar's Brand Inclusion Index. They’re joined by Zinzi Mgolodela, Director of Corporate Social Justice at Woolworths, and Amit Nanoo, Human Centric Growth Strategist at Kantar, to discuss the importance of authentic representation and inclusion in brands. They discuss how when it comes to DEI for brands, it shouldn’t be about how they show up in marketing and campaigns, but instead how inclusivity is baked into all business practices. The conversation highlights the challenges, but more importantly the opportunities that brands encounter in navigating backlash. They also talk about how purpose-driven brands resonate more with consumers and emphasise the commercial value of inclusivity.
Chapters:
06:05 - An overview of the Brand Inclusion Index
12:25 - Woolworths' focus on inclusion
17:05 - Risks vs opportunities in DEI
20:02 - Navigating backlash: opportunities for brands
28:55 - Building authentic inclusion in brand strategy
31:23 - Economic inclusivity: making brands accessible and offering value
36:18 - The commercial case for inclusion
* This episode was produced Laura Rapson