Marketing with purpose
Take some inspiration from John Lewis
Calling all marketers! How can you use your marketing skills to change the world? What ‘good trouble’ can you get into today? For inspiration, I’m looking to the lessons we can learn by reflecting on the life of John Lewis.
It starts with one small action, every day. For example, one marketing message at a time.
Though I am gone, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe.
A true marketer with purpose
John Robert Lewis wasn’t a name I was familiar with as I grew up. In fact, his name was one I only learned a few weeks ago with his passing July 17, 2020. But, as I started to learn more about how he dedicated his life to fighting racism, I was in awe of his legacy of change.
Freedom Fighter, Politician, Change-maker
John was known for his phrase: “Getting into good trouble”. And that he did. In fact, he gave much of his life to create good, meaningful change – what he referred to as good trouble! It makes me wonder – “how can those of us in marketing do the same?”
Putting marketing with purpose into practice
The answer? It could be as grand as focusing on social impact marketing or as simple as marketing with purpose. The key is to just do something. For example, how can we use our platform for good? More specifically, how can we influence brands, trends and/or create impactful marketing messages that:
- respect people,
- help to heal the Earth, and
- hopefully contribute to a pandemic of love.
Through his unwavering commitment to fighting against racial injustice, John was the living embodiment of this. After all, with his lasting legacy he created a meaningful, authentic, and now popular tag line!
Potential obstacles
Inevitably, this kind of work will likely go against the common opinion of the day. For instance, it may disrupt the comfort zone of those most comfortable with the status quo. And, it might even require walking away from a paycheck. But this only makes it more important.
For me, the first actions I plan to take to market with purpose will be based around the question – “how do I leave this world better off than how I found it?” To take it a step further, how can I use my position and skills to help influence marketing decisions? Whether it’s more inclusive marketing materials, listening to all customer segments, or hiring diversity.
How can those of us in marketing get into some 'good trouble' today?
Taking the first step
There is so much more work to be done, but it’s not too late to start. So will you join me? What ‘good trouble’ are you going to get into today?
