Inclusion and Marketing

Inclusive marketing is rapidly growing in prominence, as more consumers expect that brands "see" them, be more inclusive in their marketing campaigns, and accommodate a broader base of customers that don't cleanly fit into what is considered "mainstream."The show is hosted by Sonia Thompson, an inclusive brand coach, strategist, consultant, speaker, and Forbes and Inc. columnist who's helped brands and leaders alike attract and retain diverse customers.This podcast explores everything you need to know about building an inclusive brand, including customer experience, inclusive leadership, cultural intelligence, building diverse teams, inclusive language and imagery, and more.

158. Creating inclusive video marketing at Wistia, with Taylor Corrado
Apr 10, 2025 – 25:39
157. The deal with the Target and Amazon boycotts, plus Spotify, and Emilia Perez happenings
Apr 3, 2025 – 22:40
156. 2025 Inclusive marketing trends: Backed by data
Mar 27, 2025 – 17:54
155. 5 Inclusive email marketing strategies
Mar 20, 2025 – 14:45
154. How Sonoro is helping Toyota and other brands authentically engage Latino consumers
Mar 13, 2025 – 31:25
153. Inclusive marketing done right: 7 Examples of brands tackling it in different ways
Mar 6, 2025 – 17:06
152. Build a large and diverse audience with an email newsletter, with Maria Gharib
Feb 27, 2025 – 35:22
151. Converting through case studies: How to infuse inclusion for more effectiveness
Feb 20, 2025 – 17:42
150. Super Bowl VIX: Analyzing ads, decisions, commentary, and implications
Feb 13, 2025 – 36:26
149. Inclusive marketing as an organizational standard, not an option
Feb 6, 2025 – 15:04
148. Answer this question to convert more customers
Jan 30, 2025 – 24:46
147. A critical lesson for marketers from the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni saga
Jan 23, 2025 – 16:56
146. How to use data to increase customer success for all, with Deborah Pickett
Jan 16, 2025 – 42:52
145. How to implement systems for inclusive marketing, with Kumi Croom
Jan 9, 2025 – 33:03
144. A chat with Wistia co-founder and CEO about inclusive marketing
Jan 2, 2025 – 34:42
143. The mistake that made me
Dec 27, 2024 – 01:21:41
142. How to make more people feel seen, with Jasmine Star
Dec 19, 2024 – 31:44
141. How to be effective with inclusive marketing over the long-term
Dec 12, 2024 – 17:31
140. This AI tool assesses how inclusive brands are
Dec 6, 2024 – 35:27
139. The biases we hold
Nov 28, 2024 – 08:00
138. How smart brands demonstrate their values to consumers
Nov 21, 2024 – 14:48
137. 8 Inclusive eCommerce website examples that drive growth
Nov 14, 2024 – 21:55
136. The YouTube growth strategy top channels use
Nov 7, 2024 – 14:30
135. How to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive brand all year long
Oct 31, 2024 – 15:41
134. 3 Steps to create an effective multilingual content strategy
Oct 24, 2024 – 15:02
133. Jaw dropping stats about Latino youth prove why marketers shouldn't ignore this growing consumer group
Oct 17, 2024 – 38:38
132. How to build a high-performing diverse team in today's political climate
Oct 11, 2024 – 46:50
131. Brands rollback of DEI, microfeminism, and insensitive headlines: Inclusive marketers react
Oct 3, 2024 – 47:48
130. How to plan more inclusive business events with Eman Ismail
Sep 26, 2024 – 43:42
129. 7 Customer acquisition strategies smart brands used to reach more consumers
Sep 19, 2024 – 15:40
128. Inclusive marketing isn't enough. Why (and how) to build an inclusive brand
Sep 12, 2024 – 21:29
127. How to create a multilingual content strategy with Selim Dahmani
Sep 5, 2024 – 36:54
126. How to identify and eliminate friction in your brand's customer experience
Aug 29, 2024 – 15:40
125. How to increase conversions with an inclusive website and social media audit
Aug 22, 2024 – 15:16
124. 3 Ways to deliver customer experiences that boost conversions
Aug 15, 2024 – 18:22
123. A framework for an inclusive SEO strategy
Aug 8, 2024 – 22:25
122. How Michael Graves Design & Pottery Barn Are Working to Bring Accessible Home Design to More Consumers
Aug 1, 2024 – 35:16
121. How to write inclusive prompts for biased AI tools with Chi Odogwu
Jul 25, 2024 – 27:58
120. How to use data to deliver customer experiences that convert with Jess Cervellon
Jul 18, 2024 – 31:49
119. How to build an SEO strategy that reaches a broader diversity of consumers with Dale Bertrand
Jul 11, 2024 – 31:23
118. The right (and wrong) way to use pop culture references for your brand
Jul 4, 2024 – 13:48
117. Power dynamics in brand imagery
Jun 27, 2024 – 14:11
116. How to authentically engage Hispanic consumers with Federico Gagliardone
Jun 20, 2024 – 40:14
115. How to create a brand customers love with Lydia Michael
Jun 13, 2024 – 28:14
114. What is "normal" anyway?
Jun 6, 2024 – 21:51
113. How Lysol drives brand growth with inclusive marketing with CMO Gary Osifchin
May 30, 2024 – 23:23
112. How to make your email marketing inclusive with Samar Owais
May 23, 2024 – 35:32
111. How to deliver inclusive brand messaging with Diane Wiredu
May 16, 2024 – 32:32
110. Essential Lessons from Nike's WNBA Signature Shoe Controversy
May 9, 2024 – 24:57
109. Cultural intelligence for marketers with Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel
May 2, 2024 – 36:23

Recent Reviews

Amber-Tiana

This Is The Podcast I’ve Been Waiting For!

Sonia is doing what needs to be done! This podcast offers a truly thought-provoking examination of the importance of inclusion in marketing through a brilliant storytelling like flow. Not only does Sonia share powerful statistics that really demonstrate the need for greater representation of marginalized groups in marketing - she also provides relevant examples from pop culture as well as her own intersectional experiences to illustrate how inclusion can be used to create better results for all of us and not just (but definitely including) your bottom line. All in all, this is an absolute must-listen for those interested in learning about how we can make our marketing initiatives more inclusive and effective. 100/10 would recommend.
CPickCanes

Every leader needs to listen

We need more people applying the lessons Sonia and her guests share on this show.
TinasheChaponda

Empowering emerging leaders

I have struggled with my identity as an African immigrant while growing up in the American culture these past 20 years. Now that I'm in a leadership role in advertising, Sonia and her guests have helped me grow past my identity insecurities and biases through their stories. I've built an environment for our team where all ideas are welcome and improved how we help our clients connect with diverse communities.
CGriffUS

Makes you go hmmm…🤔

I LOVE this podcast. It’s not just about Marketing, it’s about expanding perspectives to really SEE who you are talking to and LISTEN to what they are saying - ultimately helping to create resonance between you, your brand and your customers/clients. One of my favorite episodes is about ‘extraction’ - about taking more than we give. Ever since listening this episode, I see this benign type of appropriation everywhere! I don’t even think it is something we, in Western society, are aware that some of us are doing it ALL OF THE TIME! Thanks, Sonia, for this amazing podcasts. Can’t wait to see what new insights you share with us in 2023!
Neet88

Informative & Insightful

Great podcast full of information that I’ve found useful in my profession as a business leader and also in making choices about the brands and businesses I support. It helps people understand that posting a black box isn’t enough when addressing systemic issues. And even word choice, iconography, imagery, ad placements, translations, categorizations, etc—all matter and must be addressed in a strategic way.
Sarah Chen-Spellings

What every leader needs to tune into!

Wow! Love Sonia’s direct & actionable steps in building more inclusive workplaces with solid real-world examples. Particularly enjoyed the episode on “Are you treating your diverse talents as unpaid consultants?” — zero fluff, straight to the point on what’s not working today, and what we can all do to change and lead forward. Thanks Sonia for your leadership & your voice!
Brdrgrrrl

Story-driven, actionable direction for delivering inclusive experience

Sonia has a fascinating origin story that she weaves into lessons on different aspects of inclusive marketing to audience, customers employees and more. Her guests are experts in their specific fields of tech, media, coaching, academia and more, bringing diverse lens to the huge umbrella that is marketing an idea, product, culture, company or individual. Her 10-30 minute episodes are smart, thorough and well structured. My interest in listening is that as a white accomplice in lifelong training and Sonia is both generous in her welcome of listeners and direct and focused in the intent of this program’s purpose to overhaul the patriarchal hegemony of marketing as usual.
idk02938

Soooo Important for this Day & Age!!

Sonia is so knowledgeable in all things inclusivity! Every episode I learn something new, couldn’t recommend this more for anyone ready to rethink how they brand their business and market in the 21st century. Love all her stories, seriously can’t get enough of this podcast!!
GlobalGirl31

Clever, Witty and Insightful Podcast!

This is a great podcast. Sonia has a creative and clever way of discussing inclusion and marketing. She knows the topic well. It’s fun to listen to, and also full of practical tips and ideas. Great guests. Thank you!
king2909

Remarkable

We need more like Sonia to bring attention and awareness to inclusivity. Keep educating the masses. The information provide will definitely be to all walks of life.
Epicmathedu

I love this show so much!

I love her showmanship and her style! Lol All jokes aside - I’ve learned a lot in just a few episodes. Looking forward to more.
Epistle of Christ

I love the 5 Heartbeats too!

Really great analogies that help me really understand the concepts. Looking forward to more!
Sandra Thompson

Love this show Sonia!

Really informative and fun. The stories are great! Keep them coming!
Sonia E. Thompson

Excited about this show

It’s my honor to bring this show to you - and I hope we can start making inclusive marketing the way we just do marketing!