A message from our Brand Manager:
I know there's still apprehension from some who may also ask, "Will adopting an urban strategy make us a 'Black Brand'?" And to that, my answer is "no" (and that's another big conversation for another day). But without an understanding of the root of this urban audience, you'll miss truly reaching and affecting the urban consumer.
Take a quick look at the history of Black Americans, and you'll understand why they are at the core of urban lifestyle. From the time of slavery through present day, Black Americans have created music, language, dance, and style as forms of self-expression, communication and survival. As Plato teaches us, "Necessity is the mother of all invention," and because Black Americans have historically been the underprivileged in America, it's been necessary for us to create, innovate and invent for survival. As progress was made over the years, self-esteem issues still lingered from times of slavery and segregation, which led to an ongoing need and desire for respect and affirmation. This is still at the core of what has driven a lot of the behaviors and identity of Black Americans. And the results of that need and desire are typically manifested through actions and behaviors that allow them to show off their individual style and to be seen as "hip," "cool" and better than those around them.
And the urban environments in which this audience historically resided is most definitely a factor to what defines this aspirational lifestyle. With city living, Black consumers became more competitive, more open-minded, more culturally curious, more entrepreneurial in spirit and even more materialistic to a degree. Being close to the energy of successful business, to new trends and styles emanating from the urban environs and the feeling that anything he or she can do I can do better, fueled a "keeping up with the Joneses" reality.
As hip-hop gained its strength in Black America and thus, inner-city communities, it was adopted by others that shared a common interest in hip-hop lifestyle. Hip-hop was inclusive by nature, so it did not discriminate. Although hip-hop was originated by a culture of Black people, it was based on a lifestyle, and that lifestyle was aspirational and inspirational to a nation of young people and that also begged, borrowed and stole from a diverse range of cultures. It was influenced as much as it influenced others. And as hip-hop lifestyle became more prevalent and accepted by popular culture, it then transcended into a more universal urban lifestyle.
It's easy to see how the urban lifestyle trend has quickly spread, reaching far across the globe as new media options and high-speed connections enable anyone, anywhere with similar aspirations to join the party. But as the audience widens, it's critical to understand and remember what drives the trend. And what drives the trend is the mindset of the consumer -- who at the core, is black. And I say, if you want an authentic taste, you go to an authentic place.
Given that many trends born out of Black Culture have eventually become popular American Culture, it can be easy to forget the origin and the importance of recognizing the unique "ingredients" that propelled that trend into the mainstream.
Race or culturally appropriate teams are still often the "big pink elephant" in the board room when marketers start talking about their urban strategies. Black culture is a significant link in the DNA of the urban lifestyle and that point must be recognized in order to truly understand what's at the core of the attitudes, opinions and behaviors of this group. I'm here to say that yes, you really need an agency that focuses on African Americans to effectively resonate with an urban lifestyle audience. It matters. Adopting an urban strategy won't make your brand "Black," but a strategic urban strategy does begin with a smart team that does have African-American relevance.
Take a quick look at the history of Black Americans, and you'll understand why they are at the core of urban lifestyle. From the time of slavery through present day, Black Americans have created music, language, dance, and style as forms of self-expression, communication and survival. As Plato teaches us, "Necessity is the mother of all invention," and because Black Americans have historically been the underprivileged in America, it's been necessary for us to create, innovate and invent for survival. As progress was made over the years, self-esteem issues still lingered from times of slavery and segregation, which led to an ongoing need and desire for respect and affirmation. This is still at the core of what has driven a lot of the behaviors and identity of Black Americans. And the results of that need and desire are typically manifested through actions and behaviors that allow them to show off their individual style and to be seen as "hip," "cool" and better than those around them.
And the urban environments in which this audience historically resided is most definitely a factor to what defines this aspirational lifestyle. With city living, Black consumers became more competitive, more open-minded, more culturally curious, more entrepreneurial in spirit and even more materialistic to a degree. Being close to the energy of successful business, to new trends and styles emanating from the urban environs and the feeling that anything he or she can do I can do better, fueled a "keeping up with the Joneses" reality.
As hip-hop gained its strength in Black America and thus, inner-city communities, it was adopted by others that shared a common interest in hip-hop lifestyle. Hip-hop was inclusive by nature, so it did not discriminate. Although hip-hop was originated by a culture of Black people, it was based on a lifestyle, and that lifestyle was aspirational and inspirational to a nation of young people and that also begged, borrowed and stole from a diverse range of cultures. It was influenced as much as it influenced others. And as hip-hop lifestyle became more prevalent and accepted by popular culture, it then transcended into a more universal urban lifestyle.
It's easy to see how the urban lifestyle trend has quickly spread, reaching far across the globe as new media options and high-speed connections enable anyone, anywhere with similar aspirations to join the party. But as the audience widens, it's critical to understand and remember what drives the trend. And what drives the trend is the mindset of the consumer -- who at the core, is black. And I say, if you want an authentic taste, you go to an authentic place.
Given that many trends born out of Black Culture have eventually become popular American Culture, it can be easy to forget the origin and the importance of recognizing the unique "ingredients" that propelled that trend into the mainstream.
Race or culturally appropriate teams are still often the "big pink elephant" in the board room when marketers start talking about their urban strategies. Black culture is a significant link in the DNA of the urban lifestyle and that point must be recognized in order to truly understand what's at the core of the attitudes, opinions and behaviors of this group. I'm here to say that yes, you really need an agency that focuses on African Americans to effectively resonate with an urban lifestyle audience. It matters. Adopting an urban strategy won't make your brand "Black," but a strategic urban strategy does begin with a smart team that does have African-American relevance.
In the business this is known as "plagiarism."
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