Frictionless Growth Marketing

Sonia Thompson | Inclusive Growth & Customer Experience Strategist
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Jul 3, 2025 • 26min

170. How Inclusive Brand Partnerships Drive Real Growth

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/
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Jun 26, 2025 • 41min

169. Your Inclusive Marketing Will Struggle Without This Team Dynamic

One of the most overlooked elements of inclusive marketing? The team behind it. It’s not enough to have diverse talent at the table — you also need the right team dynamics to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, valued, and empowered to shape the work. Without that, your inclusive marketing efforts will struggle to land with the people you serve. In this episode, I sit down with author and employer brand strategist John Graham to unpack why psychological safety and team culture are critical to marketing success. We talk about what gets in the way, what leaders often miss, and what it really takes to build an environment where authenticity thrives — and great marketing follows. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter John Graham LinkedIn post I referenced - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johngrahamcreative_dei-activity-7337134473370587136-YAt5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADoGrYBxCncTQK1uoD5k0MgXOrx3330CMI John Graham on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngrahamcreative/ John's Company - Shaker Recruitment Marketing - https://shaker.com/
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Jun 19, 2025 • 21min

168. The KPI Mistake That’s Costing You Customers (and How to Fix It)

Brands rely on KPIs to know if they’re on the right track — but what if the metrics you’re using are actually leading you off course? In this episode, I break down the KPI mistake that could be costing you customers and killing your growth — especially if you're trying to reach a more diverse audience. As an inclusive marketing strategist, I’ve seen how traditional KPIs often fail to tell the full story. I’ll share what most brands overlook, and how to reframe your metrics to make better, more inclusive decisions. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter Ep. 146: How to use data to increase customer success for all - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-146-how-to-use-data-to-increase-customer-success-for-all-with-deborah-pickett/
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Jun 12, 2025 • 31min

167. What Consumers Expect in 2025: Inside Kantar’s Global Inclusion Index

You've probably heard me say it before: inclusive marketing is the future of marketing. And the data keeps proving it. In this episode, I’m joined by Valeria Piaggio, Head of Inclusive Growth at global insights powerhouse Kantar. We dive into the latest findings from Kantar’s Global Brand Inclusion Index, which shows that consumers around the world expect brands to lead with inclusion. We unpack what the research reveals, what it means for marketers and brand leaders, and even touch on insights from another new study Kantar is releasing. If you're building a brand that wants to grow with intention — this episode is for you. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter Kantar's Brand Inclusion Index - https://www.kantar.com/campaigns/brand-inclusion-index
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Jun 5, 2025 • 27min

166. What It Really Takes to Execute a Multilingual Content Strategy That Drives Global Growth

In today’s global marketplace, content that connects across languages and cultures isn’t optional — it’s a growth necessity. But translating your message is just the beginning. In this episode, I’m joined by Shaheen Samavati, CEO of Vera Content, a multilingual content agency working with brands like Sony Music Spain to adapt their messaging for international markets. We dive into the real-world operational side of multilingual content — from localization workflows to managing quality at scale, and how to align language strategy with your global business goals. Whether you’re just starting to expand globally or refining your approach, this conversation will give you practical insights to help your brand truly resonate with audiences around the world. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter Vera Content - https://veracontent.com/
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May 29, 2025 • 28min

165: The inclusive marketing framework big brands are using with Jerry Daykin [Rebroadcast]

Inclusive marketing is more than a trend—it's a necessary shift in how brands communicate, connect, and grow. But with so many layers to consider, where do you start? In this episode, I sat down with Jerry Daykin, global marketing leader and author of Inclusive Marketing, to break down an inclusive marketing framework many top brands are leaning into and/or are extracting elements from. With senior roles at brands like Beam Suntory, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Diageo, and Mondelez, Jerry brings deep, real-world experience to the conversation. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter
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May 22, 2025 • 23min

164. Inside the Inclusive Marketing Playbooks of Billion-Dollar Brands (and one million dollar one)

Want to know how billion-dollar brands approach inclusive marketing—from the inside out? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes with five standout brand leaders who are driving real impact through inclusive marketing. You'll hear highlights from interviews that reveal the unique strategies, decisions, and philosophies behind their success. Each leader shares how they’ve built inclusion into the core of their brand—and what that actually looks like in practice. I’ve always learned best by observing what others do—and this episode is packed with real-world examples and actionable takeaways you can apply to your own marketing. Whether you're leading a team or building your brand from scratch, you'll walk away with ideas and inspiration to make your marketing more inclusive and more effective. 🎧 Press play to step inside the inclusive marketing playbooks of some of the world’s most influential brands. 👉🏾 Want even more insights like this? Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter Here are the full interviews that the excerpts from this episode came from: 106. How Zumba built a global customer base in more than 180 countries - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-106-how-zumba-built-a-global-customer-base-in-more-than-180-countries/ 113. How Lysol drives brand growth with inclusive marketing with CMO Gary Osifchin - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-113-how-lysol-drives-brand-growth-with-inclusive-marketing-with-cmo-gary-osifchin/ 122. How Micheal Graves Design & Pottery Barn are working to bring accessible home design to more consumers - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-122-how-michael-graves-design-pottery-barn-are-working-to-bring-accessible-home-design-to-more-consumers/ 127. How to create a multilingual content strategy with Selim Dahmani - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-127-how-to-create-a-multilingual-content-strategy-with-selim-dahmani/ 158. Creating inclusive video marketing at Wistia, with Taylor Corrado - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-158-creating-inclusive-video-marketing-at-wistia-with-taylor-corrado/
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May 15, 2025 • 44min

163. Responsible Marketing: Building Trust, Loyalty, and Brand Growth with Lola Bakare

Responsible marketing is a crucial driver of brand growth, customer acquisition, and long-term customer trust and loyalty. In today’s market, consumers expect brands to align with their values — making responsible marketing not just an ethical choice, but a growth marketing strategy. In this episode, I’m joined by Lola Bakare, CMO advisor and author of Responsible Marketing, to unpack what responsible marketing really means beyond performative efforts — and why it delivers measurable business impact. We discuss how brands can: Build trust and loyalty through responsible marketing practices Create meaningful customer experiences across the customer journey Drive sustainable, long-term brand growth Avoid common pitfalls that weaken credibility and conversion rates If you’re thinking about how to grow your brand while strengthening customer trust and alignment, this episode offers a clear, practical perspective on how responsible marketing supports modern growth and customer acquisition efforts. Find out what's slowing your brand's growth: www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com/quiz Lola's book: www.responsiblemarketingbook.com Lola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeitbewithlola/ Episode 72: Why brands should practice responsible marketing with Lola Bakare: https://inclusionandmarketing.com/ep-72-why-brands-should-practice-responsible-marketing-with-lola-bakare/
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May 8, 2025 • 14min

162. About those Mother's Day Opt-Out Emails..

Mother's Day is coming up in the U.S. And for the past few years that has meant a number of companies sending out emails asking people if they want to opt-out of Mother's Day communications. The intent is to not send emails that will be triggering to people who have a complicated relationship with the day. In this episode, we explore whether or not this is the right approach including other options to consider. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter
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May 1, 2025 • 24min

161. What consumers really have to say about representation in marketing [Research]

Consumers have a lot to says about representation in marketing. In the research study I conducted, their verbatims were quite telling when I asked them about what they liked and disliked about the ways brands were engaging in representation and marketing. I also asked them about what they wished brands knew about representation in marketing. In this episode, I walk you through the core themes that came from their responses to those questions. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter ep. 160 - Representation matters to consumers now more than ever [Research] - https://inclusionandmarketing.com/representation-matters-to-consumers-research/

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