Cereal giant Kellogg’s UK has joined forces with the Unstereotype Alliance to tackle gender-based stereotyping in British media and advertising content.
As one of the country’s most well-known brands, Manchester-headquartered Kellogg’s UK is pledging to make a difference by taking a progressive approach, with the ambition to shift the cultural norm and strive for gender equality and diversity in all of its advertising.
Convened by the UN Women, the United Nations entity for women’s empowerment, the Unstereotype Alliance is a new coalition tackling the harmful stereotypes that are still present in UK advertising and media content.
Chris Silcock, Vice-President and head of Kellogg’s in the UK, said: “Whether it’s through TV advertising or content developed with digital influencers, what brands say and how they communicate can have profound influence.
“That’s why it’s important for us at Kellogg’s to get involved with the Unstereotype Alliance and play our part to challenge gender stereotyping and help bring about change.”
The initiative will focus on encouraging diverse, inclusive and non-stereotypical representations of marginalised groups, initially focusing on the experiences of women of colour.
Kellogg’s is a founding member of the Alliance’s UK movement, which will be made up of a coalition of brands, advertisers and marketers that share a common goal of driving change and tackling negative stereotyping.
The coalition will aim to encourage the industry to do a better job of depicting progressive portrayals of women and men, and ensuring that diversity is a priority throughout the entire creative process.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, commented: “When brands, marketers and advertisers join the Unstereotype Alliance, it is a powerful statement that they are not just selling products – they are selling change.
“As we advance the mission of this generation, which is to tackle inequalities of all kinds, including racial injustice, gender inequality and homophobia, I welcome the expertise and talent of this group to positively influence behaviours in the United Kingdom, to help us fulfil our mission.”
