How Sundial Media Group CEO Kirk McDonald is navigating the DEI backlash
The house built around diversity, equity and inclusion is coming apart brick by brick. Since last summer, brands, retailers, holding companies and, most recently the federal government, have been dismantling (or retooling) DEI initiatives, many of which were built up after the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter Movement of 2020.
The “diversity” portion of diversity, equity and inclusion has become divisive, impacting multicultural marketing agencies, Black-owned brands and diverse publications. And they're starting to feel the ripple effects, according to Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media Group, holding company for brands like Essence magazine, Afropunk festival and Refinery29.
Although, he said, it’s too early to tell the full impact DEI’s retooling (or rebrand) will have on the industry in terms of media spend, marketing budgets or consumer habits.
McDonald recently sat down with the Digiday Podcast to talk about how Sundial’s diverse publications, geared toward women and other historically marginalized communities, are navigating the pushback.
- Datum:
- Duur:
Meer afleveringen van The Digiday Podcast
-
Google’s antitrust ruling, Netflix’s latest earnings + Digiday Reporters on Tariff Ripple Effects on Market & Advertising
On the Digiday Podcast this week, hosts Kimeko McCoy, senior marketing reporter and Tim Peterson, executive editor of video and audio, discuss the ripple effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the marketing and advertising... -
Tariffs, a retail media reckoning, Meta v. FTC + TikTok creator Alyssa McKay on the latest ban delay
This week’s episode recaps the topsy-turvy tariff changes, Walmart’s rising retail media demands and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust case against Meta. Then TikTok creator Alyssa McKay (16:17) joins to discuss how Snapchat... -
Why retail media is still grappling with definition and spending uncertainties
On the Digiday Podcast this week, hosts Kimeko McCoy, senior marketing reporter and Tim Peterson, executive editor of video and audio, discuss the TikTok ban’s second extension (yes, it has been extended yet again), tariff’s trickle...