This year, two denim campaigns dominated headlines. Both were everywhere, both got people talking, but the conversations they sparked couldn’t have been more different, showing how lessons from marketing can inform building inclusive workplaces.
American Eagle’s campaign aimed to be clever and playful, leaning heavily on wordplay. But instead of connecting with people, it left many feeling excluded. What was meant to entertain ended up dividing opinion. The focus on clever phrasing overshadowed the bigger picture, and the brand unexpectedly became part of a conversation it hadn’t intended to start.
Gap’s campaign, however, landed differently. It wasn’t just about the denim—it was about the people wearing it. Featuring a diverse cast and celebrating music, movement, and genuine moments of connection, the campaign highlighted inclusivity in a way that felt authentic, not staged. The results spoke for themselves: hundreds of millions of views, billions of impressions, and TikTok’s number-one search. More importantly, it made people feel seen and included. Fashion, it reminded us, isn’t just fabric, it’s culture, belonging, and identity.
The lesson is clear: inclusivity is not a “nice-to-have.” It isn’t a checkbox or a line added to look good. It’s essential. When people feel excluded, they step back. When they feel included, they engage, trust, and participate.
And this lesson isn’t limited to marketing. It applies to every workplace. Change whether in a campaign or an organization is never easy. People are far more open to it when they feel part of the journey. Inclusivity builds trust. Trust builds resilience. And resilience is what makes lasting change possible.
So how do we build inclusive workplaces? Here are five meaningful places to start:
- Listen, then act. Inclusion starts when people feel heard and continues when they see you do something with their input.
- Widen the table. Diversity in leadership sends a clear message: inclusion isn’t lip service, it’s how decisions get made.
- Mark the moments. Celebrate cultural milestones, holidays, and achievements that matter to your people.
- Communicate for all. Whether that’s accessible formats, flexible working, or inclusive language, how you speak matters.
- Co-create change. Invite people into the process. When they help shape the future, they’re invested in it.
At ChangeMakerco.org, inclusivity isn’t a trend, it’s a responsibility. It’s the bridge between where we are and where we want to be. When people feel their voices matter, progress doesn’t feel imposed it feels shared.
Inclusivity isn’t just the right path forward. It’s the only one.
Ready to create a more inclusive workplace? At ChangeMakers, we help organizations turn inclusion from an idea into action. Let’s make change together. Amplify your impact with our services now.
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