My friend Alicia’s recent tweet gained a great deal of traction after she called out the many brands that host blogger trips that include ZERO bloggers of color.
Brands that fail to include a diverse group of influencers within their marketing strategies are not only severely damaging their brand image, but they’re missing out on MAJOR purchasing power.
Influencer campaigns need to include people of all shapes, sizes, and racial backgrounds. One of the most powerful ways for someone to connect with your brand is for them to see someone wearing your clothes or promoting your brand and they are able to say “That person looks like me!”
I am often the only person of color on the trips I go on, feeling like the singular token person of color which can be isolating.
It wasn’t that long ago when Revolve was called out for their lack of diversity when #RevolveSoWhite began trending.
So let’s turn our focus to the brands that are doing a great job at running beautifully inclusive influencer campaigns:
Abercrombie & Fitch
AF has done a lot of work to run inclusive, meaningful influencer programs including it’s partnership with The Trevor Project, and even more recently with the launch of it’s 96 Hours campaign that prominently features Rahel Brhane.
In walking the walk, AF has consistently run campaigns that include a range of races and body shapes while maintaining it’s massive charitable contributions.
Reebok
Reeboks influencer campaigns are of the most diverse within the industry, embracing and celebrating those of all backgrounds, orientations, and body types.
Their dedication to ensuring each activation is one all of their followers can identify with has provided the brand a great deal of respect and success.
Olay
Olay demonstrates their commitment to diversity in highlighting skin concerns of all races; from the grayish residue SPFs leave on the skin of women of color, to common misconceptions.
Their diverse campaigns represent women of all backgrounds and encourages them to treat SPF application as self-care.
Lush
Lush has never shied away from social issues, outwardly supporting those unrepresented and demonstrating the many ways they giveback to issues ranging from environmental, human trafficking, animal protection, and more.
Urban Decay
Urban Decay is one of my favorite brands that took beauty bloggers of color criticisms to heart and made a change.
Jackie Aina boldly called out the beauty industry on their lack of foundation shade ranges and the versions of “nude” that were previously available.
Urban Decay took the initiative to work directly with Jackie to broaden their range of shades.
Other notable mentions: billie, Aerie has done a wonderful job with it’s #AerieREAL hashtag that amplifies body positivity quotes accompanying photos of a diverse group of models, one of which proudly wears a CGM pump, and Vineyard Vines.
