Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) are all growing as a priority among key market stakeholders when evaluating a company’s values and practices. The concern for these elements has spread beyond marginalized and excluded communities. Society as a whole is evolving in its social conscientiousness as the voice of previously silenced groups is being heard.

This report focuses on the most recent issues and changes needed for accurate representation in marketing and advertising. Namely, disability continues to be a key problem area for marketers. The community is still greatly undervalued from the advertising perspective. People with invisible disabilities are even more overlooked.

Other large demographics are being either misrepresented or underrepresented as well. The section on ageism dives into common myths about people over the age of 50, and how these myths are both harmful to the community and costly to negligent businesses.

Furthermore, minority races, LGBTQ+, and women face inaccurate depictions of their community in advertising. This report does not cover all populations. It’s important to conduct your own thorough research during campaign and ad development to ensure that everyone is included and respected.

This report also highlights that prioritizing diversity and inclusion in advertising is not only rewarded by the related populations, but by all consumers in the U.S.