Cracker Barrel’s logo redesign didn’t just spark backlash—it exposed cracks in leadership decision-making.

In this episode, Sonia Thompson shares 3 timeless marketing lessons every brand leader needs to keep their business backlash-proof. Discover how decisions around values, who’s really in charge, and whose voices guide your strategy can make or break customer trust.

Tune in for practical insights to help you lead with clarity, avoid costly missteps, and build a brand that resonates with today’s consumers.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter -- www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Want more customers? You need better customer acquisition strategies — ones that actually work in today’s marketplace. Too many brands still take a passive “build it and they will come” approach, but today’s consumers — especially those from underrepresented and underserved communities — don’t show up where they haven’t been invited.

In this episode, Sonia Thompson, inclusive marketing strategist and host of Inclusion & Marketing, shares 20 proven customer acquisition strategies you can use to win more customers now. Organized into five key pillars — Visibility, Belonging, Experience, Voice, and Conversion — you’ll hear real-world examples from brands like NYX, Mastercard, Toyota, and Ralph Lauren.

Whether you’re a marketing leader at a Fortune 100 company or an entrepreneur building your customer base, this episode is your playbook for attracting, converting, and keeping more of the people you want to serve.

Stop waiting for customers to find you. Start inviting them in.

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This is the 2nd episode in "The New Rules of Customer Acquisition" series. Listen to the first episode here: https://inclusionandmarketing.com/the-1-customer-acquisition-rule-to-boost-conversions-and-maximize-roi/

Most brands want more customers, better conversions, and stronger ROI. But here’s the catch: when it comes to customer acquisition, there’s one critical rule most brands completely skip. And missing it could be the reason your campaigns aren’t delivering the results you want.

In this episode, you’ll discover the #1 rule of customer acquisition that turns efforts into measurable growth. I break down why this overlooked step is the foundation of successful strategies, how skipping it sabotages your conversions, and what you can do to apply it immediately.

If you’re ready to boost conversions, maximize ROI, and build a customer acquisition engine that actually works, this episode is for you.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

AI is powerful — but it’s not perfect. Hidden biases in AI-generated content can quietly push away the very customers you want to attract. In this episode, I share exactly how to create AI prompts that eliminate bias and help you win more customers.

You’ll learn:

The simple question every customer — especially from underrepresented groups — asks before buying

How to give AI the right context so it creates inclusive, high-converting content

Specific AI prompt examples you can use to review and create bias-free marketing materials

Ways to train AI to reflect your brand’s values and speak directly to your ideal customers

Whether you’re using AI for copywriting, content review, or campaign brainstorming, these strategies will help you produce marketing that’s inclusive, on-brand, and built to convert.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Episode 95: Navigating the effective use of AI for inclusive marketing with Joyann Boyce - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-95-navigating-the-effective-use-of-ai-for-inclusive-marketing-with-joyann-boyce/

Two pop culture moments. Two powerful marketing lessons your brand can’t afford to miss.

In this episode, I breaks down the biggest key takaway for marketers from the American Eagle X Sydney Sweeney controversey, and a viral interview with two stars of Love Island USA season 7.

Both examples teach us about what today’s customers really want from the brands they buy from.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Episode 174: The Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle Campaign Everyone's Talking About - 5 Real Lessons for Marketers

On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WpSvXMPSPR4gCxEjQSmsq?si=bc296299d8d24a2a

On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/174-the-sydney-sweeney-x-american-eagle-campaign/id1604907821?i=1000720099771

The Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle campaign made headlines, sparked debate, and flooded social feeds. But beyond the buzz lies a deeper story marketers can’t afford to ignore. In this episode, I unpack 5 real lessons from the campaign marketers can't afford to miss.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

The Latino community in the U.S. is reshaping the future of consumer markets — yet most brands are missing key opportunities to connect authentically. Did you know Gen Z is already 1 in 5 Latino, and Gen Alpha is 1 in 4?

In this episode, I sit down with Claudia Romo Edelman, CEO and Founder of the We Are All Human Foundation, to discuss the groundbreaking 2025 Hispanic Sentiment Study.

Claudia shares eye-opening insights on how brands are falling short in marketing to Latino consumers and offers actionable strategies to build trust, cultural relevance, and growth.

Whether you’re a marketer, brand leader, or business owner, this episode reveals the most significant growth opportunity you can’t afford to ignore.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com

2025 Hispanic Sentiment Study - https://www.hispanicstar.org/hispanic-sentiment-study

We Are All Human - https://www.weareallhuman.org/

Claudia Romo Edelman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiaromoedelman/

Want to improve customer experience for more people — and do it in a way that’s inclusive, intentional, and backed by data?

In this episode, I’m joined by behavioral scientist and data psychologist Patrick Fagan, who ran a fascinating year-long experiment: trying one new experience every single week. His goal? To expand his perspective and build deeper empathy — something all brands need if they want to create experiences that make people feel like they truly belong.

You’ll learn why customer experience and inclusive marketing are inseparable — and how diversifying your circle of influence can be a highly effective (and often overlooked) strategy for doing both well.

This idea is part of my 5C’s framework for building inclusive brands — and in this conversation, we explore how exposure to new people, places, and ideas can transform how you serve all your customers.

If you want practical insights on creating more meaningful, equitable brand experiences — this episode is for you.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Patrick Fagan - https://www.patrickfagan.co.uk/

Co-creation is a best-practice strategy in inclusive marketing — but most brands don’t use it consistently or effectively.

In this episode, I sit down with Luis Valadez, Senior Brand Manager at hair care brand got2b, to explore how the brand leans into co-creation to build deeper trust, drive consumer engagement, and fuel growth.

If you want to learn what it looks like to put inclusive marketing into practice at a global level, this conversation is a must-listen.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

got2b - https://www.got2b.com/about/co-creation.html

Inclusive marketing isn’t a tactic—it’s a thread that should run through every part of your marketing mix, including your brand partnerships. In this episode, I sit down with Jake Schonberger, Head of Brand Partnerships at Beehiv, to explore how brands are taking a more inclusive approach to partnerships to connect with a broader, more diverse audience. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, real examples, and insights to make your next collaboration more impactful—and more inclusive.

Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Beehiv - https://www.beehiiv.com/