Cause-based marketing sees brands launching campaigns and posting on Instagram to show their support for social issues. Yet while they may mean well, such efforts are routinely criticised, especially by discerning Gen Zers. So, how can brands demonstrate their commitment to a good cause?

The death of George Floyd and ensuing protests saw companies worldwide attempt to address systemic racism in their messaging – though many faced a tide of consumer cynicism. Semiotics expert Chris Arning explains how brands can meaningfully show their commitment to anti-racist action.

As people put pressure on brands to make sustained change when it comes to diversity and inclusion, they're seeking out media that focuses on a range of lived experiences. In response and to mark Black History Month, Apple has launched a content series highlighting Black experiences and achievement.

High-profile examples of woke-washing and green-washing have made many people sceptical of brands’ social activism, perceiving their efforts as profit-driven. Canvas8 spoke to Tulsi Achia, a social psychologist and allyship specialist, to learn how organisations can best signal their solidarity.