Why Inclusion Must Be at the Core of any publishing Strategy

Insights from the AOP Crunch conference on building representative, resilient publishing businesses

At a time when trust in media is under increasing scrutiny, and audience expectations continue to evolve, publishers are faced with a clear choice: adapt or risk irrelevance. Nowhere was that choice more sharply framed than at the recent AOP Crunch conference sponsored by Google, which explored how inclusive narratives are key to business growth, authentic storytelling, and audience engagement.

Over the course of the discussions, several panels and presentations, industry leaders, campaigners and data analysts laid out a compelling case for embedding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into the very fabric of modern media. The message was unambiguous: DEI is not a marketing add-on. It’s a strategic lever for long-term success.

The Conscious Approach to Advertising

The day kicked off with a powerful session from Nafis Norris of the Conscious Advertising Network (CAN). Representing a coalition of over 190 advertisers, agencies and civil society groups, CAN has become a leading voice in p…