Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is Part 2 of the Battle of Ideas Festival session - From Bud Light to Jaguar: Brands caught in the culture wars, featuring discussion with the audience.
#BattleOfIdeas
#culturewars
#freespeechdebate
#PurposeLedMarketing
With the rise of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and EDI in business, more brands dived into so-called ‘purpose-led’ marketing in their communications, advertising and logo design. The rush was on, not just to flog stuff to consumers, but also to take a stance on social issues and portray the brand as an actor on the societal stage. It didn’t always go to plan.
This session asks if we are past ‘peak purpose’. Should brands with big marketing, advertising and design budgets persist in using their leverage to become political or social evangelists and risk the backlash from those who disagree… or just dodge the issue and stick to selling stuff? What is the purpose of ‘marketing with purpose’?
The speakers on the panel are:
Suzanne Evans - director, Political Insight
Martin Loat - communications expert, business mentor, social campaigner
Kevin McCullagh - founder, Plan; innovation strategist and writer
The Chair is:
Dr Michael Owens - urban planning researcher and lecturer; author, Play the Game
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite which is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas Festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality.
This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
Help us keep going by making a donation via justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite or hit the donate button below this video.
Thank you so much for your support.
This is Part 2 of the Battle of Ideas Festival session - From Bud Light to Jaguar: Brands caught in the culture wars, featuring discussion with the audience.
#BattleOfIdeas
#culturewars
#freespeechdebate
#PurposeLedMarketing
With the rise of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and EDI in business, more brands dived into so-called ‘purpose-led’ marketing in their communications, advertising and logo design. The rush was on, not just to flog stuff to consumers, but also to take a stance on social issues and portray the brand as an actor on the societal stage. It didn’t always go to plan.
This session asks if we are past ‘peak purpose’. Should brands with big marketing, advertising and design budgets persist in using their leverage to become political or social evangelists and risk the backlash from those who disagree… or just dodge the issue and stick to selling stuff? What is the purpose of ‘marketing with purpose’?
The speakers on the panel are:
Suzanne Evans - director, Political Insight
Martin Loat - communications expert, business mentor, social campaigner
Kevin McCullagh - founder, Plan; innovation strategist and writer
The Chair is:
Dr Michael Owens - urban planning researcher and lecturer; author, Play the Game
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite which is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas Festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality.
This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
Help us keep going by making a donation via justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite or hit the donate button below this video.
Thank you so much for your support.
