Happy Monday! Continuing our focus on Pride Month, we want to share some research with you about why LGBTQIA+ representation is important in #marketing and #advertising with 3 facts + 2024 stats 👇
1. 🫶 A growing majority of the population acknowledges that the LGBTQIA+ community needs public support, and promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equal rights creates positive social change that benefits society at large. Meltwater reports, "Companies that commit to LGBTQ+ inclusion attract and retain top talent, and have stronger relationships with customers and key stakeholders," a truth confirmed by an Edelman survey featured on CNBC. (https://hubs.la/Q02B5tcG0)
2. ✊ Today's consumers, particularly #GenZ, expect brands to take a stand on social issues such as LGBTQIA+ rights. Strategic recommendations include #collaboration with LGBTQIA+ owned agencies and nonprofits. As Diversity for Social Impact explains, it's essential for brands to support the LGBTQ+ community continuously, not just during specific times like #PrideMonth by creating inclusive content year-round, supporting LGBTQ+ causes, ensuring representation in company leadership, etc. (https://hubs.la/Q02B5QzM0)
3. 🙌 Great news—the marketing industry's support and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community is trending up! Association of National Advertisers's 2024 LGBTQ+ Marketing Inclusion Survey highlights these encouraging findings:
🌈 97% of advertisers recognize enhanced brand perception through LGBTQIA+ inclusive campaigns.
🌈 82% of respondents believe brands should increase their LGBTQIA+ marketing efforts.
🌈 55% of advertisers engaged in LGBTQIA+ inclusive marketing as of March 2024 (and likely growing). (https://hubs.la/Q02B5W350)
Key takeaways? While brands, businesses, marketers, and people in general can always improve in our inclusion efforts, LGBTQIA+ support is on the rise. A strong step most of us can take is to continue learning more and improving our understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and what it means to be a true ally.