#50- Why Multicultural Marketing Isn’t Optional Anymore

Podcast Summary: Cultural Branding, DEI, and Creative Authenticity with Bre Fernandez

In this episode, Sacha Awwa sits down with Bre Fernandez—an award-winning Associate Creative Director, professor of advertising at the University of Miami and Miami Ad School, and rising local comedian. Known for her bold creative voice and deep cultural fluency, Bre unpacks her unconventional journey from law school dropout to creative leader, touching on everything from the importance of representation in branding to how comedy fuels her storytelling.

With firsthand experience in both multicultural and general market advertising, Bre offers a refreshing and unfiltered perspective on navigating the “brovertising” world, the evolution of DEI, and why authenticity, nuance, and research are non-negotiable in successful campaigns today.

Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or creative looking to make work that actually resonates, this conversation is packed with insight—and laughs.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. From Law School to Ad World

• Bre’s Cuban upbringing and traditional career expectations
• Discovering creative advertising through Miami Ad School
• Cracking into a legacy-driven, network-dependent industry

2. The Cultural Layer of Branding

• Why DEI and multicultural advertising are not interchangeable
• How diverse internal teams lead to stronger external messaging
• Dissecting tone-deaf campaigns (hello, Kendall Jenner/Pepsi)

3. DEI in Advertising: Beyond Buzzwords

• Why diversity must go beyond optics to real decision-making power
• The role of DEI post-2020 and how it’s being politicized today
• Representation vs. inclusion: who’s in the room vs. who’s heard

4. Human-Centered Creativity in an AI World

• Why AI is a tool, not a replacement for nuanced storytelling
• The risk of creative atrophy when we rely too heavily on tech
• Teaching students to balance innovation with critical thinking

5. Brand Authenticity & Speaking to Real Audiences

• Why research matters more than assumptions
• Why brands need to know their primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences
• Case studies of brands that got it right (Dove, Nike) and wrong (Bud Light, Heineken)

6. Entrepreneurship, Comedy, and the Creative Outlet

• Why having a creative outlet is crucial to avoid burnout
• Bre’s emerging comedy career and using humor as a form of cultural commentary
• Juggling multiple identities and finding alignment between personal voice and professional work

Key Takeaways for Creatives & Entrepreneurs:

• Research is not optional. You can’t speak to a culture you haven’t studied or experienced.
• AI can help, but creativity needs a human pulse. Don’t let technology dilute your voice.
• Authenticity is currency. Consumers see through performative branding—real wins every time.
• Diverse voices build better campaigns. It’s not just good ethics—it’s good business.
• Start where your audience lives. Whether that’s Facebook Marketplace or stand-up mics, your people are somewhere—go meet them there.

🎤 Follow Bre’s work in advertising, her hilarious takes in the comedy world, and her insights on LinkedIn under #Breisms. 

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