Why Inclusion and DEIB Matter in Marketing
Table of Contents
- Why Inclusion Matters in Marketing
- Building Inclusive Strategies: The Framework
- From Internal Vision to External Impact
- What’s Next at Media Cause?
- Final Thought: Being Uncomfortable Can Be a Catalyst
During our Learning Week 2025, the Media Cause team came together to explore what it really means to create inclusive marketing that moves from checking
a box to connecting with real people. The session, titled “From Cringe to Connection: Doing Inclusion Right,” was led by Tiffany Rivers, Sr. Social Media Director,
Nate Mize-Pressler, Media Director, and Brad Blake, Chief Operating Officer, and focused on redefining our internal practices and external impact through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
Why Inclusion Matters in Marketing
At Media Cause, our work goes beyond achieving marketing milestones; it also shifts perspectives, builds movements, and amplifies truths. Inclusion isn’t just a value; it’s an operational necessity.
“We’re not just marketers. We’re marketers of purpose. That means our ideas must carry more truth, more empathy, and more cultural relevance than ever before.” – Tiffany Rivers, Sr. Social Media Director
Inclusion matters in:
- RFP responses and proposals
- Creative development and campaign messaging
- Client relationships and team collaboration
- Advocacy in an increasingly polarized world
Building Inclusive Strategies: The Framework
Our evolving DEIB strategy at Media Cause is built on two interconnected practice areas:
- Guiding Clients Toward Equity
- Helping uncover blind spots
- Advocating for representation in creative and strategy
- Being honest about where we still need to grow
- Continuously Building Cultural Competence
- Recognizing our own biases
- Honoring the lived experiences of the audiences we serve
- Strengthening skills to engage across cultures
We’re also building out KPIs and key behaviors to make these practices measurable, even if the path isn’t linear.
From Internal Vision to External Impact
We define inclusive marketing as more than diverse representation. It’s about:
- Reflecting the lived experiences of the audience
- Honoring linguistic, cultural, and visual authenticity
- Rethinking media spend – investing in platforms, creators, and organizations that speak to and with diverse communities
Inclusive marketing means putting cultural competence into every phase, from strategic planning to creative delivery.
What’s Next at Media Cause?
We’re committed to continuous improvement, and we’re putting that commitment into action.
- Expanding Equity Cohort: Finalizing our internal DEIB vision & practices
- Inclusive Language Lexicon: Launching a shared resource for mindful, equitable communication
- Smart Use of AI: Leveraging baseline tools like Gemini and Open.AI, as well as more robust third-party consumer research tools, to better represent communities and eliminate bias in our content creation
“Representation doesn’t end with a good stock photo. It starts with intention, and it shows up in the metrics.” – Nate Mize-Pressler
Final Thought: Being Uncomfortable Can Be a Catalyst
Sometimes, inclusion work feels uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels like we don’t have all the answers.
That’s okay.
In fact, that’s where the work begins.
“At Media Cause, we’re building a culture where it’s okay to not know everything, as long as we’re committed to learning, listening, and showing up better, together.” – Brad Blake
If your nonprofit or cause-driven brand is ready to move from performative to purposeful, let’s talk.