Michael S.’s Post

Has Pride Month boiled down to just another Marketing opportunity? Let’s address the elephant in the room As we reach Pride Month every year I see Rainbow Logos and pride flags by every brand And I'm sure it's gonna be the same this June. But what’s happening in reality is pure BS → Rainbow Washing: Slapping a rainbow on your logo for June  But doing zilch for LGBTQ+ rights for 11 months. → Tokenism: Featuring LGBTQ+ people only during Pride Month,  And then vanishing them from campaigns. → Merchandise Mania:   Selling Pride-themed products  Without donating a dime to LGBTQ+ causes. But at least they’re talking about it na? It’s a start! Um… no it’s not :) Brands talk about LGBTQ+ rights  But have discriminatory policies and leaders. This leads to bad branding Because of lack of trust and authenticity. So before going all rainbow crazy in June Try these 3 things out: 3/ 365 days of Support ↳Commit to Queer rights & representation all year.  ↳Actions speak louder than your rainbow logos. 2/ Genuine Allyship ↳Support queer employees & communities  ↳with real policies & donations, not colorful products. 1/ Be Transparent ↳Be clear about where your Pride Merch profits go  ↳Donate to relevant charities and make it public. Brands, it's time to walk the walk. Pride isn’t just a month; it's a movement. 🌈💪 P.S.: Have you ever been to a pride parade?

Absolutely loved reading this on the real issues with Pride🌈Month marketing. It's refreshing to see someone call out the superficial rainbow washing that happens every June. Here are a few highlights that really resonated with me: Rainbow Washing: Just slapping a rainbow on your logo for June doesn’t cut it. True support means backing LGBTQ+ rights all year round, not just for one month. Tokenism: Featuring LGBTQ+ individuals only during Pride Month and then forgetting about them for the rest of the year is not genuine representation. We need consistent inclusion. Merchandise Mania: Selling Pride-themed products without contributing to LGBTQ+ causes is missing the point. It’s about support, not sales. So what can brands do instead? 365 Days of Support: Commit to queer rights and representation throughout the year. Actions speak louder than logos. Genuine Allyship: Support queer employees and communities with real policies and donations, not just colorful products. Transparency: Be clear about where your Pride merch profits go. Make sure donations to relevant charities are public. It's time for brands to walk the walk. Pride isn’t just a month; it's a movement. 🌈💪 P.S. Have you ever been to a pride parade? It's an incredible experience and a true celebration of diversity and inclusion! #pride #pridemonth #marketing #digitalmarketing #brands #merchandise #LGBTQ

Advertisers: Be Authentically Proud Year-Round How can you better reach the LGBTQ+ market during Pride and every month, and be even more genuine and authentic? Hear from two well-known and respected leaders in media and LGBTQ market: Jeff Hastedt, Brkthru Co-Founder & Managing Director and Todd Evans, President & CEO, Rivendell Media discuss brands that have gotten it right, and a few that could do a better job. A few thoughts: ·      Show your brand’s support year-round. Don’t just change your logo to a multi-colored background for a month as an easy marketing ploy. ·      Make a charitable donation. Give to a relevant organization or good cause that helps to provide resources, supports or helps to the gay or LGBTQ community. ·      Avoid “rainbow washing.” And if your company makes a mistake, own up to it and apologize. ·      Foster an environment in your own company where everyone can be their authentic selves every day. Brands that acknowledge and respect LGBTQ+ demand will be ready to claim greater market share. If you are an advertisers or marketer interested in showing your support this Pride and every month, reach out to us Brkthru. We’ve successfully managed hundreds of digital advertising campaigns reaching the LGBTQ+ community. And, along with partners like Rivendell Media - with more than 40 years of experience representing 95% of LGBTQ media – we work with advertisers and agencies to reach LGBTQ community every day. https://lnkd.in/erS2fFT6

How can brands p-ride over the rainbow beyond June? 🌈 In a conversational study using our agile insights platform SBX, it was revealed that out of 1067 consumers in the UK, the vast majority of people ( 75%) feel positive about brand engagement with Pride, but 39% see rainbow marketing as disingenuous and inappropriate. “Adopting inclusive logos as a one-off simply isn't enough,” said Vidisha Gaglani, CEO of Streetbees. When asked how brands should support these groups, consumers cited year-round engagement ( 40%) as the most important factor, followed by LGBTQ+ support ( 31%), inclusive practices ( 29%), charitable donations ( 22%) and inclusive advertising ( 20%).  ✅ Read the full Research Live article here- https://lnkd.in/eJ2bpTfX Get access to the full research here- https://lnkd.in/em9Fy2Sy How do you think brands should show their support? 🤔 #PrideMonth #StreetbeesInsights

🌈 **Reflecting on Rainbow Washing: A Call for Authenticity in Corporate Diversity Efforts** As Pride Month approaches, we see a surge of corporations donning rainbow colors. While this show of support can be heartening, it's crucial to distinguish between genuine allyship and "rainbow washing." Rainbow washing happens when companies use rainbow motifs or LGBTQ+ support to appear inclusive without taking concrete actions to support these communities. It can undermine the genuine struggles for equality and inclusion faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Here are a few thoughts on how businesses can avoid rainbow washing and practice authentic support: 1. **Long-term Commitment:** Diversity and inclusion should be a year-round endeavor, not just a once-a-year campaign. 2. **Policies and Practices:** Implement and maintain inclusive policies that protect and benefit LGBTQ+ employees. 3. **Community Engagement:** Support local LGBTQ+ initiatives and charities not just financially but through active participation and advocacy. Let’s encourage and hold accountable those around us to do more than just wear the rainbow. Let’s be the rainbow that lights up all year round, representing true colors of support and inclusion. #DiversityAndInclusion #PrideMonth #AuthenticAllyship #CorporateResponsibility

Four ways marketers can build long-term connections with LGBTQ+ communities, particularly with Gen Z.

June’s revelry and rainbows are an important time to celebrate and soak up the beauty and vibrancy of our community, but the queer experience doesn’t exist solely in a month. All year round, each and every day, we here at Kirrin Finch move through the world as queer people and queer allies. It’s imperative that we pause and highlight the work that needs to be done to lift up and protect our rights and safety. Pride started as a riot because our community was under attack, and the need to stand up and fight back is just as important today. Recent threats to our community are meant to intimidate, scare, and prevent us from living authentically. They are very real, and sadly, they are escalating by the day. We’re also disappointed to see a growing trend of companies and organizations shying away from showing up for the LGBTQ+ community due to hateful rhetoric. At Kirrin Finch, we recognize the importance of showing up all year long. We’re living it. We approach our social giveback strategy through three different pillars: donating time, sharing stories and resources with and about the community, and philanthropic giving to LGBTQ+ organizations. Today, we ask you to join us in living with pride every day by celebrating some of our amazing community partners as Kirrin Finch “gives them their flowers!” #futureoffashion #LGBTQ #advocacy #giveback

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️🌈 Let's celebrate love, diversity, and equality. May this month be filled with joy, acceptance, and respect for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Remember, love is love, and everyone deserves to be celebrated and embraced for who they are. 🌈💙💚💛🧡❤️💜 There are many wonderful ways to celebrate love, diversity, and equality during Pride Month! 1. Attend Pride Events: Join local Pride parades, festivals, and events in your area. These gatherings are a fantastic way to show support, connect with the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrate love and equality together. 2. Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn more about the history and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Read books, watch documentaries, and engage in conversations to expand your knowledge and understanding. 3. Support LGBTQ+ Businesses: Show your support by shopping at LGBTQ+ owned businesses or supporting LGBTQ+ artists, creators, and entrepreneurs. This can be done through purchasing their products, attending their performances, or sharing their work with others. 4. Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights: Use your voice to support equal rights for everyone. Speak up against discrimination and injustice, and educate others on the importance of equality and inclusivity. 5. Volunteer and Donate: Consider volunteering your time or making a donation to LGBTQ+ organizations and charities that work towards promoting equality, providing support, and advocating for the rights of the community. 6. Be an Ally: Stand up against homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination. Be a supportive ally to friends, family, and colleagues who identify as LGBTQ+. Show love, respect, and acceptance. Remember, celebrating love, diversity, and equality is not limited to Pride Month alone. It is essential to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year. Let's strive for a world where everyone can live and love freely, without fear of judgment or discrimination. 🌈🏳️🌈❤️

Pride Month is a time to celebrate diversity and affirm everyone's right to live authentically without discrimination; it promotes positivity and equal rights for all.   This year, like every year, we encourage our team to show their support in ways that feel meaningful to them. Inclusivity is a core value of our company, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive environment every day of the year.   Here are some ways to get involved:   ◾ Attend Pride Events: Join local parades, festivals, and celebrations to show solidarity and celebrate diversity. ◾ Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about LGBTQ+ history and issues through books, films, and conversations. Share your knowledge to promote acceptance and awareness. ◾ Support LGBTQ+ Organisations: Donate or volunteer with charities and groups that promote equality and provide community support. ◾ Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights: Speak up, challenge discrimination, and support legislative changes. ◾ Show Support on Social Media: Use your platforms to share positive messages and resources, and use hashtags like #PrideMonth2024 and #LoveIsLove. Happy Pride Month everyone! 🏳️🌈 #Pride2024 #InclusionAtWork #PlayAsATeam #SBFMSocial

While Pride Month shines a light on diversity and inclusion, a common sight is companies sporting rainbow logos and limited-edition merchandise. This practice, known as "rainbow washing" or "pinkwashing," can have unintended consequences. Initially, widespread corporate support can feel validating for LGBTQ+ individuals. However, the realization that much of this support lacks substance can lead to feelings of betrayal, cynicism, and disappointment. Here's how we promote authenticity: 🌈 Look beyond the rainbow and assess companies' LGBTQ+ rights contributions 🌈 Encourage companies to be transparent about their efforts to create an inclusive workplace. 🌈 Advocate for resources flowing directly to LGBTQ+ organizations. Remember to support LGBTQ+ creators, donate to charities, and hold companies accountable always and not just during #Pride!