Media figures say ‘gold rush is over’, as attacks on diversity and inclusion have led to some advertisers avoiding outlets
Publications aimed at LGBTQ+ and other diverse audiences are facing “good old-fashioned discrimination” as advertisers avoid them after political attacks on diversity and inclusion campaigns, editors have said.
Senior figures at publications aimed at the gay community and other minority groups said a previous “gold rush” to work with such titles was over.
There has been a backlash in the US over corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the past 18 months, which has led to some big names rolling back their plans.
Tag Warner, the chief executive of Gay Times, said his publication, which had been growing digitally in the US, had lost 80% of its advertisers in the past year. It has also lost in excess of £5m in expected advertiser revenue.
