When Colin Kaepernick called Nike out for sneakers that featured a flag that had been co-opted by the far-right, the product was pulled. Despite some uproar from conservatives, Nike’s stock value spiked, suggesting that support for social causes is a smart business move.

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.

The events of 2020 have seen organisations across the world denounce systemic racism, but dismantling racial bias is complex and time-consuming work. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Anatasia Kim to discuss the concept of allyship and how it can be fulfilled at an organisational level.

For many, Nike's 30th anniversary campaign for its "Just Do It" motto may be considered a brave piece of socially conscious advertising from the sportswear giant. But for others, it's yet another form of corporate 'woke washing' – virtue signaling on an industrial scale, which more often than not, is insincere.