Let’s be honest—everyone wants to win awards and be recognized for their work. However, the awards culture in advertising carries more weight than simply acknowledging creative excellence. Brands often determine an agency’s value based on its awards history, and top talent is drawn to agencies with prestigious wins, leading to more opportunities for award-worthy projects. But how does this dynamic affect diverse-owned agencies and executives striving to compete on a level playing field, hoping to secure accolades like a Cannes Lion or an Effie? Is the awards industry inherently biased, and does it unintentionally perpetuate inequity? In this panel, Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, will explore the biases within the awards system and the efforts being made to create more equitable recognition across the industry.

Multicultural marketing. Purpose marketing. Cultural marketing. Inclusive marketing. Social impact marketing. Conscious Marketing. Responsible marketing.

Multicultural audiences. New majority audiences. Minoritized audiences. Marginalized audiences. Underestimated audiences. Historically-excluded audiences.

When the stakes have never been higher for the pursuit of equity in marketing and advertising, what’s in a name is everything.

• Ever wondered why “multicultural” seems to have multiple, interchangeable meanings?
• Ever pondered whether its use perpetuates bias or is helpful in breaking down walls that silo opportunity?

In this interactive debate-style session, we’ll involve the bright minds in our audience to arrive at an actionable framework that can be used beyond this session to maximize the utility of word choice in this critical context. Join to be sure your voice is heard as we answer the question, what should we call it, and more importantly, why?

As some brands shy away from DEI policies – others are leaning further in. Haleon’s Katie Williams – U.S. Chief Marketing Officer – will share how building brands infused with Purpose demands DEI. In this fireside chat, Katie will explore what this means for Haleon’s health and wellness brands, and the role that brands at large can play in identifying and bridging gaps in health outcomes.

Join us for a groundbreaking discussion where we delve into the dynamic, rich, and multifaceted world of Afro-Latino identity within sports and marketing. This conversation aims to illuminate the unique experiences of Afro-Latino athletes, dissect their portrayal in media, and explore innovative marketing strategies that address and challenge cultural stereotypes.

America is diversifying at a rapid pace, and as a result, it’s becoming increasingly harder for brands to communicate authentically to everyone. How can culture, and brand’s command of culture, help build equity with all consumers in a way that is authentic and impactful? In this fireside chat, Alia Kemet, CMO of Shipt, and Dabo Ché, CEO/CCO of CHÉ Creative, will discuss the principles of what it takes to build a culture-first brand, why it’s important, how to activate a brand in culture, and most importantly, how to measure its impact!

DE&I is undergoing a significant transition. Driven by political agendas that seek to downplay or diminish the need for a level playing field for individuals from diverse backgrounds, we are witnessing a troubling reduction in corporate America’s commitments to maintaining vital DE&I roles and programs. DE&I departments are being downsized or eliminated, and supplier diversity programs are also facing scrutiny under this new wave of opposition. In this panel we will examine the forces impacting DE&I and explore how it must evolve to endure and thrive.