In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement being reignited by the death of George Floyd, brands are taking to social media to express solidarity and support. But as people expect increased transparency and accountability from companies, they are being asked to ‘pull up or shut up’.

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.

Tech companies were quick to react to BLM in 2020 with statements of solidarity and UX fixes. But a study shows that the majority of these statements continue to place responsibility for racial injustice on Black people – explaining why Black Americans continue to be skeptical of brand action.

As Americans become more socially and politically engaged, they want to support brands that share their values. Progressive Shopper clues online shoppers into a brand’s political affiliations, offering liberal Americans a chance to put their money where their mouth is.