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Diversity and Inclusion in Global Advertising

GDI's "Beyond Checking Boxes: Inclusion Versus Exclusion in Global Advertising" event brought together industry experts to examine the current state of diversity and inclusion in global advertising. Progress and ongoing challenges in representing various identities were shared, along with how to use data to drive meaningful change in media representation.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The Geena Davis Institute hosted an insightful event titled "Beyond Checking Boxes: Inclusion Versus Exclusion in Global Advertising." The event featured a series of enlightening presentations and discussions aimed at exploring the current state of diversity and inclusion in global advertising. The esteemed speakers and panelists shared their research findings, industry insights, and actionable strategies to foster more inclusive representation in media.

Speakers and Panelists:

Geena Davis: Founder and Chair, Geena Davis Institute, Academy Award-winning actor
Madeline Di Nonno: President and CEO, Geena Davis Institute
Dr. Caroline Heldman: Former Research Director at the Geena Davis Institute, Political Science Professor, Occidental College
Susie Walker: Creative Chief of Staff at DDB Worldwide
Douglas C. Freeman: President of UWG Global Reflections, Uniworld Group
Mackenzie Thomas: Responsible AI, Google; Former Product Marketing Manager for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Google

Event Highlights:

The event kicked off with an introduction by Madeline Di Nonno, who set the stage for a multi-part session. Afterwards, Geena Davis emphasized GDI's achievement of gender parity in children's television and family-rated films over the past two years. Dr. Caroline Heldman presented the comprehensive study, "Bias & Inclusion in Advertising: An Analysis of 2019 Cannes Lion Work," which was conducted in partnership with Cannes Lions. The study examined the representation of various identities in advertising from 2006 to 2019. The research revealed progress in some areas, such as the increase in screen time for characters of color, but also highlighted ongoing challenges, such as persistent stereotypes and underrepresentation for other groups.

The panel discussion, moderated by Madeline Di Nonno, featured insights from industry leaders. Susie Walker discussed Cannes Lions' initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in global advertising, including the Glass: Lion for Change and the SDG Lions awards. Douglas C. Freeman highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to diversity, emphasizing the need for inclusive pipelines and leadership development. Mackenzie Thomas shared Google's efforts to embed inclusivity into every stage of the creative process, from research and insights to casting and representation.

Key Takeaways:

Data-Driven Insights: The research presented by Dr. Heldman underscored the power of data in identifying gaps and driving change in representation across gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and body type.
Industry Commitment: Initiatives like Cannes Lions' Glass: Lion for Change and Google's Inclusive Marketing Consultants Group demonstrate the industry's commitment to fostering inclusivity.
Holistic Approach: Achieving meaningful diversity requires a comprehensive strategy that encompasses sourcing talent, developing inclusive cultures, and embedding diversity into all aspects of business operations.

Actionable Insights:

Embed Inclusivity Early: Diversity and inclusion considerations should be incorporated at the beginning of creative processes to ensure that all stages from brief to execution reflect an inclusive mindset.
Support Diverse Talent: Invest in pipelines that attract, develop, and retain diverse talent, providing opportunities for leadership and creative input across all levels.
Leverage Data: Utilize data to track progress and identify areas needing improvement, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective.
Sustainability in DEI Efforts: Build sustainable diversity and inclusion practices by setting clear goals, measuring outcomes, and holding teams accountable for progress.
Address Stereotypes: Actively work to dismantle harmful stereotypes in media representations, promoting more nuanced and positive portrayals of all communities.

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Speaker:

Geena Davis, Founder and Chair, Geena Davis Institute

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