36 DE&I Resources Everyone in Global Pharma Media Must Know

A clear focus on diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DE&I) is critical for all communications today, both for societal benefit and the success of campaigns themselves. This is particularly vital in health communications, where extensive literature highlights the link between social and demographic determinants on health access and outcomes.

With billions of dollars in media spend and the shared goal of improving global health, the global pharmaceutical media industry has a responsibility and the ability to positively contribute to health equity. Alongside crafting proprietary initiatives, the industry should first be aware of and understand the work of the brilliant organisations already operating in this space. We explore some of them below…

Diverse Supplier Databases

These databases help identify minority-owned businesses, ensuring that procurement practices support inclusivity and equality.

1. 4A’s BIPOC Owned Media Companies Resource List– A curated list of minority-owned media outlets.
2. ANA – The Growth of Supplier Diversity Guide – A guide to identifying diverse suppliers for marketing and advertising.
3. WEConnect International – Connects women-owned businesses to global buyers.
4. Women Of Colour – The JTC List – A database of women of color working in the film and entertainment industry.

Ethical Media & Industry Initiatives

Ethical advertising and industry initiatives are crucial for setting DE&I standards, promoting social responsibility, and encouraging those working within the industries to embrace these. These organizations help ensure that advertising & media practices are effective, ethical, and aligned with DE&I objectives. For those within the global pharmaceutical media industry collaborating with these bodies can help align business practices with industry-wide DE&I objectives, driving positive change and fostering a more inclusive and equitable future in global health communications.

1. ANA Center for Ethical Marketing – Promotes self-regulation and ethical standards in advertising.
2. Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) – Ensures industry ethics keep pace with modern advertising technology.
3. Sustainable Brands – Focuses on helping brands achieve sustainability and social responsibility across all industries.
4. IAB UK – Diversity – Promotes diversity and inclusion in the digital advertising industry through various initiatives and resources.
5. Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM) – Promotes multicultural and inclusive marketing.
6. Change the Lens – Works to improve the representation of Black filmmakers in the commercial film industry.
7. Creative Equals – Partners with brands to prioritize DE&I, fostering innovation and effective creative through a conscious inclusion model.
8. Outvertising – Drives LGBTQ+ equality in the advertising industry.
9. WFA – D&I Taskforce – Global platform of top marketers driving greater inclusion in workplaces, setting industry agendas, and catalyzing national initiatives for diversity
10. WFA – GARM – An industry collaboration addressing harmful content on digital media platforms, launched by the WFA to improve digital safety and supported by the World Economic Forum.
11. National Minority Supplier Development Council – Connects minority-owned businesses with corporate members to promote supplier diversity.

Support and Advocacy for Underrepresented Groups

Supporting and advocating for underrepresented groups ensures a broader range of voices and perspectives in media and marketing. These organizations offer support, mentorship, and advocacy in the industry.

1. Free the Work – A global nonprofit levelling the playing field for creators behind the lens everywhere.
2. Black in Film – Promotes Black talent in the film and television industry.
3. Black Girl Film School – Provides free film school curriculum to increase the number of Black women behind the camera.
4. Black Hollywood Education & Resource Center – Advocates for Black creatives in film and television.
5. Latina Media Co – uplifts Latina and queer Latinx perspective in media
6. Made In Her Image – Empowers young women and non-binary youth in media and technology.
7. MAMA Youth Project – Trains underrepresented young people for TV and media jobs.
8. She Runs It – Supports women in marketing, media, and tech.
9. The Representation Project – Challenges gender stereotypes and social injustices through media.
10. WACL – A network for women in advertising, marketing, and communications.
11. Digital Diversity Network – Promotes diversity in digital media and technology through education and networking.
12. The Ad Council – Produces public service advertisements addressing critical social issues.

Imagery for Inclusive Media

Access to diverse and inclusive imagery is essential for creating media and marketing campaigns that reflect and resonate with a wide range of audiences. The following tools provide high-quality, inclusive presentation & media visuals that can enhance your projects and promote DE&I values.

1. Black Illustrations – Beautiful illustrations of Black people for your next digital project
2. Nappy.co – Beautiful photos of Black and Brown people, for free
3. Death to Stock – Access to diverse imagery for your projects
4. WOC in Tech Photos – Collection of free images of Women of Colour in Tech
5. Gender Spectrum Collection by Vice – Stock photos beyond the binary
6. CreateHER stock – For content curators for authentic stock images featuring melanated women
7. UK Black Tech – Explore the collection of diverse images, free to use in your next project
8. Disability:IN – Disability inclusive stock photography to empower business to achieve disability inclusion and equality.
9. Disabled and Here – Disability-led effort to provide free & inclusive stock images with photos and illustrations celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC).

Conclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial for the evolution and success of the pharmaceutical media industry. By collaborating with these DE&I organizations and resources, industry professionals can ensure their campaigns are inclusive and ethical and resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. Embracing these principles can drive meaningful change and innovation, fostering a more equitable future in global health communications.

If you know of other organizations that should be included in this guide, please do get in touch with us here.

All images by Jonathan Soren Davidson for Disabled And Here.