As men continue to engage in conversations around toxic masculinity and its detrimental effects, they're looking for more nuanced representation from brands. In fact, two-thirds of men in the UK say that negative male stereotypes in advertising cause psychological damage.

From magazine covers to small screens, media producers are striving to meet public demand for a level of diversity that reflects reality – but are their efforts enough? Canvas8 spoke to eight Americans about whether they believe mainstream media fairly represents all parts of society.

A changing cultural climate is seeing both men and women shun toxic masculinity and demand new narratives around ‘being a man’. How are brands attempting to break down gender norms and stereotypes, and why is it so important to have diverse representations of manhood in advertising?

In a climate where representation in media is vital for minority viewers, Netflix’s Strong Black Lead is using its celebratory platform to ensure Black people feel seen. By constructing a collective voice, not only is it bringing people together, but it showcases true-to-life content.