You pick up a can of Coke to drink on the way home or kick on a pair of Nike shoes for your morning jog dozens of times throughout the day you choose to support or avoid, a brand for many reasons. In today’s political and social climate, an increasing number of people base their judgments on a brand’s public stance on talked-about political issues.
You’ve undoubtedly heard a friend or family member say they won’t shop at a certain store because of a stand the company took on a major political issue. Others may say that retailers, sports teams, and other brands should stick to what they do and stay out of politics or social issues. Still, other consumers rally behind companies that take a stand against injustice. It’s hard to say who’s right and who’s not, there’s simply too much grey space around such a topic to make an accurate statement about it.
Consider how important it is for brands to speak up on causes that matter to you personally and how you would handle the situation in a professional environment if placed in that role. You may find it helpful to think about the reasons brands decide to speak out, the value in what they have to say, and when it has previously been successful and when it failed for major brands in the past.
What are the risks and gains of companies addressing social and political issues?
Why Is Speaking Out on Political Issues a Controversy Among Brands?
In the past, most brands veered far away from creating discourse surrounding any hot topics or political issues. Most zeroed in on what hype and products made them money and avoided anything that might stir up controversy. While that attitude may have worked for a simpler time, today’s consumer expects more from the companies they support.
It has become an expectation that when customers are paying for goods or services, part of their dollar spent should also be invested in a companies’ effort to make a difference— either on a small community scale or a large global scale. A reported 75 percent of consumers seek out brands that publicly support the issues they feel strongly about.
Today’s society will hold brands accountable for speaking out and speaking up about what they believe and decide to support because of their intrinsic outreach potential. Brands have the means and the reputation to catalyze change, or at the very least, open up an important conversation. While some consumers may support the idea that organizations should focus on their business and stay out of politics and social causes, those numbers are declining.
Consumers are recognizing the need for change from decades-old policies, behaviors, and laws. However, it often seems difficult to get brands on board. Company CEOs and managers hesitate to speak out due to the pressure they receive from two primary parties.
First are the consumers who want the brand to stand up against injustice and to speak up for those whose voices have been silenced. Oftentimes, the lines grow blurry when the brand must consider potential negative impacts their actions and public opinions might bear. A study shows that up to 67.5 percent of consumers would be less likely to buy from a brand if they didn’t agree with their political viewpoint.
Second are shareholders who, in most cases, have differing opinions on the issues at hand or on how the company should handle its platform. Some companies, especially major brands, might also tread lightly under pressure from politicians. Even smaller organizations may fear taking a stand against a local mayor or city council on a certain political or social issue.
Before a brand can decide on a feasible approach to address a controversial topic, it must first consider these primary consumers and supporters. After all, the brand’s primary objective is to create revenue— but what is it worth if the brand is not authentic in its public beliefs? Business leaders face strong stakeholder pressure on whether to speak up on political issues.
Why Brands Should Speak Out
If the majority of people believe that it is the duty of brands to speak out on important causes, which ones should they speak about and how should that be decided? According to a study from Infotrak, 43.5 percent of customers think that a brand is just jumping on a bandwagon when making political statements while 23 percent think it is purely promotional. Nearly half of the respondents think that any response from the brands on major social or political issues, such as women’s rights, isn’t genuine — but rather another mischievous marketing tactic.
For a brand to have an authentic response that will be believed by its consumers, the brand must make sure the cause they decide to support aligns with its business. For instance, companies making baby toys might promote recycling because so many of their products end up in landfills after just a few short months or years of use.
Brands must also consider how specific issues impact their customers, employees, and stakeholders. Is it expected of them to take a stand? When these factors are ruminated over and an authentic response is developed, consumers are more likely to believe and support a brand and its stance.
Reasons Why Brands Hesitate to Speak Out
With so much at stake, should brands keep silent and not speak out about important causes? While that may be a loaded question, the simple answer is “Yes.” There is a time for silence.
We all know the saying, “Better be king of your silence, than a slave of your words.”
Since there are so many social and political issues to focus on, brands can’t speak up on every single one. If they focus on those causes that align with their brand, however, it only makes sense that they avoid those that aren’t concerned with their company or industry. For example, while the baby toy company might take a firm stance on promoting recycling, a service-oriented company that creates software might not have the same focus.
Another reason to avoid speaking out is if the goal is merely to make another sale. If a company starts with the question, “How will this benefit my company?” consumers won’t believe what they have to say. The brand must first have a true belief in a cause before they speak out on it.
Why Does It Matter If Brands Speak Up for Social or Political Issues?
This question gets to the heart of the matter for brands speaking out about political and social causes. It’s the reason that more people are holding companies accountable for using their platforms to address controversial issues.
Brands often have a loyal following, which gives them a louder voice than what one person can amplify. They have more power to change people’s minds and, sometimes, even influence the laws of the city or state. They harness the power to start conversations, get people thinking, and take people a step outside of their comfort zone.
Perhaps the most important reason for brands to speak up against injustice and other pressing issues is because they have a responsibility to their customers and their communities. Since they have a voice, many consumers feel they are obligated to use it for the benefit of those that directly support them. Brands often have a strong influence and following, and ought to use that power for the greater good.
The Value of Brands Speaking Out as a Group
What if a company isn’t a major brand like Coca-Cola or Nike? Can they initiate change? Just as there is strength in numbers, multiple brands can come together in one large group for their voice to carry more weight. When the same message is replayed over and over by several different brands, people are more likely to believe it, opening the doors for the message to impact their own behaviors and attitudes.
Even small companies can stimulate change in the community when they work together. They provide support to each other, which makes it more difficult to ignore what they have to say.
Conclusion: Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is
When you think about the brands you support through your money spent, it’s up to you to decide how much emphasis you place on social responsibility. How important is it to you for brands to speak up on causes you rally behind? Consider the impact they can have and how much influence voices like yours wield as you support or boycott brands based on what they represent.
Topic Insights wants to help you think about the serious social and political issues of today and develop an informed opinion based on the information presented. Rather than trying to persuade anyone to think a certain way, our goal is to help everyone develop behaviors and attitudes in line with their values and beliefs.