Inside NBCUniversal, Kelly serves on the NBCU Ad Sales Diversity Council and mentors for BOLD (Building Opportunity for Leadership & Diversity) among other leadership positions. As co-chair of the ANA-AIMM’s Communication Track, she has been instrumental in shaping DEI opportunities like the “Belonging Lounge” @ Cannes. For her nearly 2,000-person division, Kelly offers resources, guidance and ideas on how to create a more inclusive and diverse initiative or sales opportunity.
What’s your boldest prediction about the industry in the next 10 years? The multicultural majority will be a reality. Changes in demographics will accelerate, leaving an impact on society, the economy and how advertisers think about growth opportunities.
Has the internet created more inclusion or exclusion? The rise of the internet has created opportunities for mass connectivity and community. We can share meaningful and inclusive stories that inspire and shape culture with a diverse set of audiences across multiple screens. We can partner with a diverse set of advertisers, helping them connect their message to our IP in a way that authentically resonates with audiences everywhere. By leading with inclusion, representation, and authenticity, the internet is a powerful vehicle to drive impact for our marketing partners and our viewers.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about diversity within your industry? The biggest misconception about diversity within the advertising industry is that marketing through an inclusive lens is only for the sake of “doing good.” In reality, doing good is good for business. In fact, investing in diverse and inclusive audiences is one of the most strategic ways to grow and scale a brand today and tomorrow. To future proof the industry, we need to lean into strategic audiences. Therefore, we have to look at the future of our audiences. And the future of our audiences is multicultural.