Woke and
Weary
ABOUT THE FILM
This documentary captures a lecture I gave with the American Marketing Association Boston Chapter held at Suffolk University on November 7, 2024.
Thank you to the engaged students, supportive friends (old and new!) and family who attended, and to AMA Boston + Suffolk University for inviting me.
The film was created by my collaborators at QV Media, and was inspired by the work of Jean Kilbourne - who, I am honored to say was in the front row.
ABOUT THE TALK
“Woke and Weary” is an exploration of brand “activism,” advertising in a time of social change, and consumer trust.
It tracks the rise - and fall - of woke-washed advertising through the last decade (with origins dating back to the 1960s.) Watch this film if you’re looking to understand how marketing suddenly went “woke” - and back again.
I believe it’s so important for all consumers and citizens to understand the strategic way organizations co-opt social movements with hollow gestures - masking the lack of real, lasting change.
Above all, I ask you to consider the very real humans forgotten in the discussion, the voices of marginalized communities that are drowned out by performative, deceptive virtue signalling.
Thank you for watching.
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