Advertisements and Inclusivity.

Advertisements today are all about fashion, glamour, and being over the top. The visuals are more appealing than the message. Somewhere in this glamour, the real essence of advertisements is lost and people cannot connect with it. One of the major reasons for this is that advertisements lack inclusivity. One barely sees people looking or behaving as they would normally. We see stick-thin models on posters essentially advertising clothes. There are ever-so-charming ladies in advertisements that promote makeup. But do they look anything like us? Definitely not! The lack of inclusivity and representation in the advertising culture lessens the relatability quotient for normal people. 

What is inclusivity?

Inclusivity means accepting and including people of different genders, races, and backgrounds. Including people that look and feel real in advertising is extremely important as their reach is huge. Now, as the world is progressing, brands are using more inclusivity in their advertising campaigns and that has also worked in their favor. Plus-size models and dark-skinned people are frequently seen in advertising. 

Why is inclusivity important for any advertisement?

It is relatable:

Inclusivity relates to people and they feel connected to the brand or the product being advertised. They can see themselves in the models and this will surely help in increasing sales of the brand. For instance, if an old lady sees someone just like her applying makeup in an advertisement and accepting all her flaws, then she will gain the confidence to use the product. Maybelline is one brand that has been inclusive and has models ranging across different age groups and skin colors. 

Creates a positive impact on the brand:

Inclusive advertisements are rare. So, when a brand is inclusive with its content, people find it relatable and this creates a positive image of the brand in their minds. Customers feel like buying products from the brand because the advertising has positively impacted them. If a plus-size woman sees a model just like her in a clothing advertisement, she will be able to relate to it and will be more likely to purchase the product. Recently, Cosmopolitan launched a digital cover for their magazine that included women from different walks of life, be it dark-skinned, plus size, or differently-abled. This campaign received a lot of positive responses from people across the globe. 

Inclusive designs are the way to go if you want to sustain yourself in the advertising world. Times are changing and advertisers need to take the right step.