Cha Spruce

LinkedIn continues to undervalue Black Creators. Including me! My intent with this post is to ensure that this does not happen to other creators here on this platform. You may have seen the article below on Ad Age yesterday. Linkedin has me front and center as one of their B2B marketing "influencers". Let me be clear, because a few lines had to be redacted in this ariticle; LinkedIn Ads did not bring me to Cannes. When Linkedin brought this opportunity to me, I asked if there was an honorarium. The response was, no. My objective at that point was to use this as an opportunity to create great content. Most of you have likely seen this video posted already. It was their highest engaged content they received from all of their influencers, by a landslide. I used my personal brand to bring them relevancy and engagement from the Black community. It was only when yesterdays article was published, that I learned two of the four "influencers" were indeed compensated. They covered their entire trip, from flight, to hotel, to food. Why wasn't the same opportunity presented to me? Their response was they knew my expenses were already being covered. Odd...they didn't ask me... I was direct in letting Linkedin know that this is a prime example of pay inequity. Black creators on average get paid 35% less than white creators. When I brought this issue to them in text, their response was "we only covered per diem while in Cannes". When I spoke to one of their influencers they confirmed that their travel (flight, hotel and food) was fully covered. I asked that Linkedin redact the line within Brian Bonilla's article, and it indeed was changed. However, it now reads that yes, 2 of the influencers had all travel expenses covered, but me and one other didn't because we had travel already covered by our companies. So, they made it seem as though I had already known this to be the case. That is not true. I recieved a response to my email very early this morning. Rather than simply addressing the issue with a very quick "We are sorry, we firmly believe in pay equity and will address this issue immediately," I received a 656 word explanation and rebut to everything I had written. They immediately went on the defense. The last sentence in that response was "I am sorry for your experience. I'd like to help where I can. Let me know your thoughts" My thoughts are, all Black creators should be compensated fairly. My thoughts are, Black creators shouldn't have to jump through hoops to prove our value. We are and create culture! I write this knowing that there may be consequences —shadow banning my posts to limit my reach. So my question to LinkedIn; How can you change the way Black creators on your platform are being fairly compensated? As an update, they have reached out and will be compensating me for my time.

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🤷🏽‍♀️ 3 Uncomfortable Truths Brands Don't Want to Hear 1. Brands often patronize Black audiences with what they think we want to hear. Pro tip: Listen more and assume less. 2. Token diversity in advertising is easily spotted by Black consumers. Pro tip: Share stories that reflect the full spectrum of our experiences. 3. Most businesses talk the talk but don't actually walk the walk when it comes to diversity. Pro tip: Show your receipts and document your impact in real time. What would you add to this list? 👀 #ChromaCreators #BlackBusiness #MulticulturalMarketing

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Breaking news. 🚨 With the U.S. Senate voting in favor of legislation that would ban #TikTok in the U.S., it's a great time to check out my recent piece on Fast Company about how TikTok changed the media landscape! 📱🎥 Read more below! 📖👇 #SocialMedia #DigitalMedia #MediaLandscape #Legislation #USPolitics #FastCompany #TechNews #TikTok #TikTokban #media https://lnkd.in/eqEK6ZNg

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Breaking news. 🚨 With the U.S. Senate voting in favor of legislation that would ban #TikTok in the U.S., it's a great time to check out my recent piece on Fast Company about how TikTok changed the media landscape! 📱🎥 Read more below! 📖👇 #SocialMedia #DigitalMedia #MediaLandscape #Legislation #USPolitics #FastCompany #TechNews #TikTok #TikTokban #media https://lnkd.in/eqEK6ZNg

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Excited to share my recent interview with Julian Druker on AMAKA! 🌍 In this interview, I share my insights on creator marketing, diversity representation, and the benefits of leveraging social platforms for brand collaborations. We delve into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Pan-African creators in the global market, as well as the evolving of fashion and beauty marketing industries. You can watch the entire interview here: https://lnkd.in/dXgenmYH

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This is absolutely not surprising at all. I wish I could be more optimistic but the facts are the facts. I think the issue that we have to face is that there are less barriers to entry and the support is there but the environment, culture and networks for retention and progression are still limited. Black and mixed race Black talent continues to be infantilised and under estimated which is why some even choose to start their own agencies/become independent consultants etc. Two in three black PR pros consider leaving the industry, new research commissioned by UK Black Comms Network and PRWeek UK finds https://lnkd.in/eWSeXpDR #PR #Leadership

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It’s #TalkItOutTuesday! I really want us to talk about inclusion, equality, and development for women in small, medium, and large companies. ——✨ This topic is inspired by these excerpts from “The Bad Bitch Business Bible” by @lisacarmenwang. “60% of women earn undergrads and grade degrees Majority of college-educated workforce Women of color are leading the way and enrolling at record rates Latinas comprising the biggest increase in employment of any working group. 24 of the Fortune 500 companies are led by women, and almost all are white. 60% of women never negotiate their first salary 55% of women lower their prices before the clients even ask.” ——✨ As women starting our own businesses, building brands that connect and empower, and working remote careers that bring us joy, we have to see ways to avoid being a statistic and also educate other woman how they can do the same. I want us to share stories, situations, experiences of others, etc. What are yours thoughts about inclusion, equality, and development for women in the work place? Who are some companies doing it well? Who are others that aren’t..? ——✨ @BWMarketers also had a post on LinkedIn about this topic. Which I felt was right on time. https://lnkd.in/gzZPkFKM ———✨ You can also view my recent post on X about this topic: https://lnkd.in/g6b5hpMQ

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Ladies I have an activity for us to do and share tomorrow during our “We Co-Work Wednesday” session at 11am CST / 12pm EST / 9am PST on discord. —— Mindset for the Money Activity: My earliest memory of money was… My father’s relationship with money was… My mother’s relationship with money was… As a result, I grew up believing that money was… My greatest limiting belief that prevents me from making more money is… This limiting belief shows up in the form of resistive negative thoughts like… This limiting belief shows up in the form of self-sabotaging behaviors and habits like… The first step I will take to release my Financial Fiction will be… When I release my FF, I will feel… I love money because it enables me to… I deserve money because I am… —— For those who complete it I will buy you a coffee! So make sure you have your @buymeacoffee links ready. Discord is in the comments.

We need to stop suggesting youth audiences are impossible to reach. How Gen Z news media habits can inform your approach to designing and developing campaigns with and for youth audiences. https://lnkd.in/eqY7ejDE

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In this recent article with Authority Magazine, I discuss the barriers women face in advancing to leadership roles and share actionable strategies to overcome these challenges. It's an honor to be part of this conversation and to continue advocating for a future where equity is not just an aspiration but a reality. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dXx-XWxK 💪🏽 #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Equity #DEI #HopeForTheFuture #AmiraBarger

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Do you think creatives can do better to support the under-represented? If so, you’re not alone. And you can vote today to bring that exact discussion to SXSW 2025. There is no area of multicultural marketing, strategy and innovation that isn't being impeded by the industry-wide hush and hesitation around DEI. Yet amid all the concerns about the politicized dynamics, "wokeness" backlash and recessionary budgets, a mountain of data points to the fact that investing in diversity builds the bottom line. So what’s the issue? Our proposed #SXSW panel features speakers LaMecia Butler, MBA, Mack Garrison and Vanessa Gonzales; the discussion would take an honest look at what doesn’t work, so we can determine where to focus innovation and level-up what we considered DEI best practices. So help us bring the discussion to SXSW— as community voting opens today! Vote here: https://lnkd.in/g9em6GhS Anyone can sign up for a SXSW ID account and vote for sessions they find interesting. Public voting runs through August 18th and plays a crucial role in determining 2025 programming. Help us elevate discussion and explore the unexplored – addressing blind spots at all levels of creative industry to find tomorrow's answers.

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Great insights from Jack Murphy on Waystar's S-1 filing! As the IPO market heats up with Waystar following #Rurik, #Reddit, and #AsteraLabs, it's essential for comms teams to understand the strategic elements in these filings. Check out how Waystar uses various levers like customer testimonials, AI integration, and its diverse client base to help build investor confidence. A must-read for anyone navigating the path to public markets. If you have an IPO on the horizon, check out our IPO Playbook: https://lnkd.in/gc-VvN5h ....or get in touch with the Brands2Life team. #IPO #CommsStrategy #Waystar #AI #CustomerSuccess #InvestorRelations

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🌈 At Billion Dollar Boy this year, we decided to undertake a small research project into how LGBTQ+ people have been represented in advertising and marketing over the decades. We proudly hung “A Journey of Queer Inclusion in Advertising: 50 Years of Breaking Barriers” in a place of honor on our walls. Representation matters. We all know that. But over the decades, representation of the LGBTQ+ community has often been far more hidden, subtle and controversial. There’s no doubt that we’ve come a long way - it’s hard to find a brand not supporting Pride month now, even if they don’t always get it right. Despite this surface level support, representation of the LGBTQ+ community in ads remains pretty poor, with just 3% of ads TV featuring LGBT+ individuals - and trans representation is even lower at 0.3%. Despite this, public perception overestimates this figure at 22%. Ads often stereotype, portraying lesbians as ‘butch’ or gay men as ‘camp’, while same-sex relationships are briefly depicted and seldom within family contexts. 60% view LGBTQ+ representation negatively, citing tokenistic roles and inadequate portrayal. Genuine support demands authentic engagement, moving beyond superficial imagery like rainbows and pride parades to reflect the diverse realities and broad spectrum of the community. A big shout-out to James Silverstone, who came up with this brilliant idea and has been such an advocate for our community here at BDB. We are proud to work for a business that supports our community and with a team that sees us for who we are. This display only scratches the surface of the last few decades of advertising to - and featuring - the LGBTQ+ community (we’d need a whole gallery to really do it justice!). Check out the work below. Happy Pride Month! 🌟 #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Inclusion #Diversity

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This is why we need to do more than just talk about the state of mental health and agency cultures in advertising. We need to do some hard-self reflection and start making radical changes to what we expect of ourselves, and each other. Walter T Geer III's story is a great reminder that our work isn't life or death...until it is. Sending him so much gratitude for sharing his experience. 🙏 If you have a story to share, too, I'm gathering data for a mental health in advertising report, and upcoming event, with The One Club for Creativity. You can add your voice at the survey link https://bit.ly/3UpnFLm here.

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The #onyximpact recently released a report analyzing the misinformation in Black media as well as strategic insights on how PR, Advertising, and Media outlets should address the issue of misinformation going forward. Whether this information can be used to aid in a campaign or strategy your are currently building, the information provided here is both enlightening and pertinent to state of media and consumption. https://lnkd.in/eK8jcxgZ

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We stay talking about this at BIPOC Podcast Creators because we know it is true. We've always said, "The future of podcasting (and all digital media) is multicultural." It just is. Yet, it still feels like we are banging a drum in an empty room because the people who should be paying attention are not. Read this if you need proof: "As of 2021, their economic clout increased to $3.2 trillion in annual buying power. To put that in perspective, if Latinos were an independent country, their GDP would rank fifth in the world, ahead of the United Kingdom, India and France. Brands who fail to future-proof their bottom line by connecting to the cultural nuances of Latino communities with authentic insights; and those who fail to make Hispanic spend integral vs. ancillary to their core growth strategies, will find themselves hitting a brick wall with this powerful consumer constituency." https://lnkd.in/gu2wdKSg

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LinkedIn needs to stay grounded in reality. And we need to stay grounded in our humanity on this platform and in business as a whole. When I started Bold Buzzz Media Consulting, I promised myself that I would be candid, that I would bring radical compassion to the media industry, and that I would advocate for anyone who's ever felt stuck in a work or life situation that kept them from reaching their full potential or happiness. Now, as I sit in a hospital room for the next three days, waiting for answers about my brain, I can’t help but think about how many people before the rise of hybrid and remote work struggled in silence... I know it would be more polite, more status quo to be silent, to not post a pic of me trying to joke my way through this situation as if the uncertainty doesn’t weigh deeply on me and the burden that puts on my family as well. Again, louder this time: LinkedIn needs to stay grounded in reality. We need to stay grounded in our humanity on this platform and in business as a whole. So I’m posting this picture. And sending my love out there to each and every one of you that needs it. I see you and we’re getting through it. #BoldMoves #CompassionNotKPIs #RadicalCompassion #BreakTheMold #HybridWork #RemoteWorkRevolution #ChallengeTheNorm #DisruptTheStatusQuo #MediaWithHeart #LeadershipWithPurpose #WorkplaceWellness #BoldBuzzz

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📅 Last Monday was National Iced Tea Day, and if you missed it, you might be surprised to learn who Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers celebrity endorsement was. Yes, it was none other than the Law and Order star and hip-hop pioneer, Ice-T. 💡 As a Creative Director, I admire the brilliance behind this campaign. Ice-T promoting iced tea on National Iced Tea Day. It’s on the nose, but I absolutely love it and see its potential for huge success. This campaign perfectly embodies the brand's playful, slightly over-the-top, and self-aware style. It's a reminder that sometimes the most obvious ideas can be the most powerful when executed well. 📹 The brand's social media videos with the hidden camera approach were fantastic. Additionally, their special member promotion with limited-time-only T-shirts shows their attention to detail, extends the value of the collaboration, and provides fans a tangible way to cherish and promote the collab. I couldn't help but dream up a few more concepts to have fun with this celebrity endorsement: Awkward Pitch Meeting: The idea of Ice-T promoting iced tea gets pitched in a video call with the marketing team and is ridiculed for thinking Ice-T is sweet. Everyone is mortified to learn that Ice-T was mistakenly already invited to the conference call but had his video off until the end. Flashback: At a press conference, the rapper is asked in a joking manner, "It’s like you were made for this campaign." A flashback montage shows Ice-T with comically large cups of iced tea throughout his childhood, including a cute Ice Tea stand. Tea-Time Talk Show: A talk show where celebrities drink and spill the Sweet-Tea with Ice-T as the host, delivered in a trendy deadpan style (think Bobbi Althoff). Sweet-T Transformation: Ice-T tries sweet tea for the first time and likes it so much he changes his name to Sweet-T. This leads to a series of scenarios where he shows his sweet side, like baking cookies for the neighborhood or helping old ladies cross the street, all while maintaining his tough persona. Here are three lessons or inspirations we can learn from this campaign: 1️⃣ Embrace the obvious: Sometimes the best ideas are the ones staring you in the face. When explored, this can lead to the most honest aspects that your audience loves about your brand. 2️⃣ Build lore: Create a backstory that deepens the brand's narrative and persona. Special promotions and merch help make it meaningful. 3️⃣ Think like a sketch writer: It’s funny because it’s true. This approach is a great exercise to ideate from. 💭 At the end of the day, great ideas often require us to step back and think more creatively. If your brand or product was on SNL, what’s the first idea that comes to mind? It might lead to something obviously refreshing. https://lnkd.in/gHc3k_8r #Branding #BrandStrategy #ContentStrategy #SocialMediaStrategy #MarketingTips

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As a Communications Consultant, I always keep my eyes on the job market, and what I have seen in the past 2 years is ABSURD!!! 🤯 As this post points out, people are expected to have extensive experience in highly creative and mentally taxing fields, while working for what is ultimately close to minimum wage. I haven't seen salaries this low since around 2008, and of course the cost of living is significantly higher since then 💰💰💰! I can't for the life of me figure out how anyone - executives, managers, HR - could think this is acceptable, particularly since many new hires will be doing the same job as colleagues who were hired in 2020 and are probably making $10-20k more. 🤔 What always makes me sad about these hiring trends is that there are always people behind these decisions. People, who you would hope had the empathy to realize that other people deserve the same treatment and fair compensation that they have received. And, yet, they participate in this process with no remorse. Every job description that is not paying fair market value should start with - "We're sorry this is so low..." at least that would show some level of decency 😞

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