Graham Nolan🏳️‍🌈’s Post

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PR Consultant + Do the WeRQ Co-Chair

People increasingly discuss whether or not DEI as a concept needs a rebrand. If you suspect it does, adland needs to provide our expertise to embrace its evolution, shaping a tomorrow where we effectively assert its proven value for an ever more diverse world. What elements of the DEI “brand” must we champion to preserve its essential impact? I'm grateful for support for Will Russo and the team at ADWEEK who've allowed us to explore those questions here. And thanks as always to the entire Do the WeRQ team who shapes this perspective. #dei #advertising #marketing

DEI Has Been Politicized. But Politics Was Never the Point

DEI Has Been Politicized. But Politics Was Never the Point

adweek.com

giovanni gallucci 🌲🏕️

social media strategist and content creator for outdoor lifestyle and food & beverage brands

1mo

Read the article. It's good. It raises some important points about workplace diversity, but we need to dig deeper into the realities of business performance. DEI initiatives, particularly when focused on equity over merit, often prioritize outcomes over opportunity. This isn’t just a philosophical debate—it’s a practical one. A rebrand isn't going to fix this. Businesses thrive on innovation, accountability, and measurable results. When hiring and promotion decisions shift from performance metrics to identity factors, the result can be inefficiencies that drag down morale, reduce productivity, and alienate consumers. Case studies from industries like tech, retail, and higher education show the consequences: declining trust, financial losses, and strained team dynamics. See McKinesy's studies on DEI - they aren't flattering to the movement. In the areas where I focus my energy, outdoor lifestyle, food, and beverage, where margins are tight and consumer trust is everything, businesses can’t afford to sacrifice excellence for quotas. The path forward? Stick to equality of opportunity. Reward hard work, recognize results, and focus on what consumers care about—quality and authenticity. Anything else is a distraction.

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