Multicultural
Preparing Marketing Procurement for AI
In the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing procurement, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming indispensable tools.
AI Data Bias, The 2024 Challenge: Solutions for Multicultural Integrity
Generative AI (Gen AI) applied to marketing has tremendous value and we leverage it across the board, however its inherent biases and limitations in Multicultural/Ethnic accuracy and representation requires guardrails, human contextual and deductive skills, and human involvement throughout the process. By Liz Castells-Heard, CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, INFUSION by Castells
The Singer Will Be the First Afro-Latina To Appear on U.S. Currency
The Celia Cruz Estate and its executor, Omer Pardillo-Cid, announced that the coin dedicated to the immortal Cuban singer Celia Cruz, one of the most beloved and outstanding artists of the 20th century, has officially entered circulation. Cruz was chosen as one of five exceptional women to be celebrated by the United States Mint's American Women Quarters Program™ in 2025. The so-called Queen of Salsa, who passed away in 2003, appears on the coin in relief, dressed in traditional Cuban garb next to her motto ¡Azúcar!
Census and OMB Data Collection of Latinos Can Be Improved with Inclusion of “Street Race” [REPORT]
The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) has published “Latino is Not a Race: Understanding Lived Experiences through Street Race,” a new report authored by Cecilia Nuñez, Julia Silver, Misael Galdámez, and Dr. Nancy López. The report examines the complexities of racial and ethnic identification within Latino communities in the United States, focusing on the concept of “street race,” or the race a stranger would assume you to be based on your physical appearance. The report finds that current Census and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) methods for collecting and analyzing racial and ethnic data do not accurately reflect the lived experiences of many Latinos, especially Afro-Latinxs.
The Death of DEI? Not So Fast – As DEI efforts meet resistance, new studies show that many brands continue pushing onward
It may not qualify as a total reversal of attitude, but it's awfully close. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) — heralded not long ago as the core to corporate America's future — is in retreat, as companies reduce and/or eliminate their DEI programs altogether. In late June, for example, rural lifestyle distributor Tractor Supply Company shut down its DEI initiatives after receiving backlash from some of its customers and right-wing commentators regarding the company's inclusion policies and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Industry rival John Deere followed suit in July, saying it would no longer sponsor diversity events following similar complaints. Indeed, companies are "reassessing decades-old anti-discrimination strategies and rewriting policies that once emphasized race and gender to prioritize inclusion for all," according to the Washington Post. Such developments stand in stark contrast to the bandied efforts among many brands to foster DEI following George Floyd's murder in 2020, which sparked a racial reckoning throughout the country.
Outlook of an Eternal Optimist: Status Report of an Unsinkable Industry
The first half of 2024 has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Ad industry conversations have centered around many exciting opportunities, like using Generative AI as a tool to elevate all steps of the creative storytelling process, from research to insights to a much broader scale of personalized content. At the same time, we are having substantive discussions around major barriers that can thwart our clients’ ability to evolve at the pace of the changing consumer landscape. One would be the mounting attempts at undoing DEIB practices and protocols, which can – and has – had a direct impact on the priority placed and budgets allocated to Multicultural Marketing. Another is the legislative agenda to strip any consumer data related to race, ethnicity and other identity-related demographic information from critical data sources, which can severely limit our ability to identify, study, reach and engage the multicultural consumer segments with the most relevant content and brand solutions. By Louis Maldonado
The Enduring Importance of Inclusive Marketing in a DEI Adverse World [PODCAST]
In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Devoreaux Walton, MBA, a Brand & Marketing Senior Consultant at relevant and host of The Inclusive Consumer podcast, discusses the relevance of inclusive marketing in today’s complex business landscape.
Louis Maldonado of d expósito & Partners on Data-Driven Decisions
What will it take to have your work make it to the winners' circle? ANA's Judges' Journals features a series of Q&A sessions with leading industry executives participating on 2024 ANA Award juries. Gain insight from the judges on what they will be looking for and what makes the difference between a good versus award worthy submission. In this segment, Denise McDevitt, SVP of award programs at ANA connects with Louis Maldonado, partner and managing director at d expósito & Partners' regarding his role on the 2024 ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards Jury.
FELICIDADES – the MOST Multicultural Women’s US Gymnastic Team to represent the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Felicidades, the MOST Multicultural US Women’s Gymnastic Team to represent the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera made the women's team and are heading to Paris. Go Latina Power!
Out-of-Work CMOs Crash Cannes Events – Claim They Lost Their Jobs Due to Hispanic Marketing Negligence
Out-of-work CMOs crashed the steps at the Palais, a Forbes CMO luncheon, an Advertising Week rooftop gathering and all along La Croisette. They were dressed in business casual suits, some carrying boxes with their office belongings, others with signs saying, “Available CMO after sleeping on the $3.4 trillion Hispanic marketing opportunity.” This was all part of the scene throughout the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where the Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC) made a bold statement for marketers to prioritize the U.S. Hispanic Market as part of its #STOPLATINOCOATING campaign.
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – Bringing Hispanic Consumers to the Forefront
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — that brings together the world’s most important brands, agencies and their work, media, tech and production companies — has become a critical part of how we keep the importance of Latinos a front-and-center issue in the business sector and make tangible inroads in driving our inclusion and progress. Everyone we need to reach and persuade in marketing is there. This year we are more united and organized as a community there. We feel the strength of our mission and agenda. We have a full program and great partners. By Claudia Romo Edelman
Increasing Interest in Diverse-Owned and Targeted Media [PODCAST]
While total advertising spend in the U.S. last year, excluding programmatic, B2B, trade, and local cable, declined 2 percent versus 2022, overall ad investment in diverse-owned media outlets increased 9 percent, reaching $1.9 billion. That's according to a new study by the ANA Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing, conducted in partnership with Media Framework and Guideline. The study also found that investment in diverse-owned and targeted media increased 7 percent year over year, reaching $1.1 billion.
Marketing in a Multicultural World: From Niche to Core [PODCAST]
On this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Glory Alcántara, Director of Multicultural Marketing at General Mills, discusses the importance of understanding and integrating multicultural perspectives into mainstream marketing strategies.
The State of Latinas in Corporate America 2024
The last five years of Lean In’s research on the state of women at work reveal a disturbing trend: Latinas face the steepest climb up the corporate ladder and end up the most underrepresented of all groups of employees in the C-suite. Despite these barriers, Latinas remain highly ambitious and increasingly committed to advancing.
Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election [REPORT]
The 2024 presidential campaign is taking place amid intense debates over such topics as immigration, growing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States, the changing American family, crime and reproductive issues.
Most Black Americans Believe Racial Conspiracy Theories About U.S. Institutions [REPORT]
While many Black Americans view themselves as at least somewhat successful and are optimistic about their financial future, they are also critical of U.S. institutions. Most say several systems in the United States need significant changes to ensure Black people are treated fairly.
Resource List of Certified Diverse Suppliers for Marketing/Advertising
Curated Certified Diverse Suppliers list, initially published in July 2020, is being updated regularly. The June 2024 edition has 9 additional suppliers for a total of 525 companies. The list is also available in a spreadsheet which allows users to sort as needed.
Position Hispanics in the Creative Global Agenda
The Latino economy is thriving and deeply intertwined with our community's success. As the fastest-growing minority group in the US, Latinos are reshaping markets, politics, and culture. At this pivotal moment, investing in the Latino community is crucial to unlocking our potential and ensuring a prosperous future for all. Unity and decisive action today are essential. Increasing Latino representation in Cannes is critical, particularly amid rising AI bias and anti-DE&I narratives. This year, we emphasize embracing new technologies to elevate Latino potential and dismantle stereotypes. Media and all companies must invest in US Latinos, recognizing them as a growing, profitable market.
Financial Services Industry Strives to Navigate U.S. Latino ‘Bothism’
Marketers often fall into the trap of binary thinking, hindering creativity and clashing with consumers seeking fluidity. While the industry has struggled to embrace bothism – the concept of merging seemingly opposing approaches for better results – multicultural consumers in the U.S., particularly bi-cultural Latinos, have fully adopted it. Many see themselves as American and Latino, not half and half, but 200%, wholly embracing their American and Latino identities.
THIRD EAR named Multicultural AOR for Ashley
THIRD EAR announced that it has been named multicultural agency of record for Ashley, America’s Largest Furniture Store Brand.
