Thayer Lavielle’s Post

After attending this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, it’s clear that we need to advocate for neurodivergent talent and incorporate it within diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Please read my article in PRWeek to learn about what I think brands can do to embrace this new way of thinking and champion inclusivity:  https://lnkd.in/egcwHqR6 

Learn about these six key areas that every brand should address to foster inclusivity and enhance brand success ⬇️

When it comes to inclusion, some companies seem to be asking themselves the wrong questions resulting in efforts that feel shallow and forced. There's a danger of losing brand trust or even rejection from the very groups you want to align with. Karen McFarlane, CMO at LetterShop and Kaye Media Collective, offers a fascinating perspective that starts with revising your mission, vision, and values to review what they say about diversity and then building the right policies around them to create equity. It seems simple, right? But it requires a bit more work than people think. Listen to this important interview here http://spr.ly/6040X6ib0 #Marketing #Diversity #CulturalAppropriation #Equity

𝘽𝙚 𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 - 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 🔥 In the glow of the fire's dance, a powerful metaphor emerges for women of color in public leadership. 🌟 Fire dancing, an art form that melds strength and grace, mirrors the journey of these resilient women as they navigate the path to leadership roles. 🔥 Much like fire dancers who skillfully control the flames, women of color in leadership harness their unique experiences and perspectives to ignite change within their communities and organizations. They move purposefully and intentionally, bringing light to the shadows and warmth to the cold spaces of indifference and inequality. In my journey, I've witnessed the transformative power of women of color in leadership roles. Their unwavering commitment to fostering change and promoting equity resembles the fire dancer's dedication to mastering her craft. The fire dancer's movements are deliberate and powerful, a beautiful display of control and confidence. Similarly, women of color in leadership wield their influence to challenge the status quo, inspire innovation, and empower others to rise. 🙌 Yet, the path has its challenges. Fire dancers face the heat and the risk of the blaze, just as women of color confront systemic barriers and biases in their leadership journey. But in the face of adversity, they persevere, their spirits unyielding as they drive meaningful change in their fields. Let's celebrate the women of color in public leadership, the fire dancers of change, who move with grace, strength, and passion to make a lasting impact. Their contributions are invaluable, their leadership transformative, and their resilience awe-inspiring. As we move forward, let's continue supporting and uplifting the women of color leading the way, recognizing their vital role in shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and just world. 🌍 #WomenOfColorInLeadership #ChangeAgents #FireDancer #PublicLeadership #Equity #Belonging #Inclusion #Resilience #SupportWomenLeaders 👇 Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's keep this important conversation going. Your voice matters! 🗣️

Consumers are assessing your inclusion credentials before they buy. 49% of US consumers agree that it’s important to buy brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion in their own business or society as a whole. The figure hits 63% among LGBTQ+ consumers. Discover more about inclusion as a growth strategy with Kantar’s new Brand Inclusion Index. Download our report on the key challenges facing brands and find out who is the most inclusive US brand. https://ow.ly/rrhC50Pn5EA #DEI #Inclusion #Diversity

Check out my new Medium article where I discuss where the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion movement goes next after the Supreme Court's blow to affirmative action, why some organizations embrace diversity, and I speculate why some states are rolling back diversity initiatives. #diversity #inclusion #equity #business #florida #texas #virginia #leadership #reform

Inclusion Marketing is more than just a trend; it's a fundamental shift in the way we approach digital outreach. By embracing diversity and inclusivity in our campaigns, we not only foster a sense of belonging but also unlock untapped markets and drive meaningful engagement. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this transformative approach and learn how to harness its potential for your brand's success. #InclusionMarketing #DigitalTransformation"

Inclusivity should UNIFY, not dissect.👏🏽 Let me explain 👇🏽 In the quest for authentic inclusion, Dove missed the mark on this one… By introducing six different bottles mirroring diverse body types, Dove aimed to champion body positivity. However, the campaign stumbled, by spotlighting insecurities rather than alleviating them. True inclusion isn’t about segmenting consumers based on physical attributes, but celebrating diversity within a unified brand narrative. The one-size-fits-all approach can be more empowering as it highlights shared human experiences over superficial differences. Interested to hear your thoughts on this one.

Steven, I agree with your criticism of this latest nonsense from Dove. Those clever marketing men wearing grey suits and designer stubble have obviously been hard at work on this latest promotion. But as I often point out on this forum and elsewhere, it's the CUSTOMER that chooses to put these Branded items into their shopping basket - NO ONE FORCES THEM! The shelves in supermarkets and pharmacies are overloaded with hundreds of body cleansing soaps, shampoos & creams the consumer to choose from. NO MORE EXCUSES BIG SOAP: all water-based body cleansing products should be sold as a liquid concentrate (most are already concentrated). The consumer can use a refillable foam dispenser (I supply them free of charge to my clients), refill the foam bottle with 1 part liquid soap and 3 parts water. RESULT? Massive reductions in disposable plastic, synthetic chemicals, soap usage, energy bills and water usage. Foam is the Future! __________________________________________

I follow the right kind of people on LinkedIn. You might know Steven Bartlett from a popular show that encourages innovative business ideas, but I have been following his podcast and posts and then came to know about his achievements. He's like a lyrics of the sad song that completely reflects what you're feeling but is unable to communicate. He gives voices to unsaid ideas and narratives. and this right here proves that. The media in pursuit of normalizing physical appearances and differences id going above and beyond and now we have reached a place where some segments are feeling entitled to get similar treatment from wherever they want, some are feeling ashamed of who they are and guilty in what their idea of beauty is. The formerly redundant theory of media studies "Spiral of Silence" can now be seen, observed, and experienced throughout these campaigns, where a certain segment of the audience gets offended by someone's freedom of speech (obviously in a respectful manner). PS. The design aesthetics of shampoo should consider the comfortable handling in the shower not the exclusive inclusivity.