Thursday, 11 November 2026 | 10:00–12:15 | Dentons Bucharest
Dentons, The Mark, Calea Griviței 84–98, 7th Floor, Sector 1, Bucharest
Overview
Most Organisations Believe Inclusion Matters. Far Fewer Treat It as a Business Opportunity.
Diversity and inclusion are still frequently positioned as matters of compliance, charity or corporate social responsibility. This narrow approach overlooks their potential to drive growth, strengthen customer loyalty and open access to underserved markets.
Today’s consumers are increasingly diverse in age, ability, background and expectations. Brands that understand this reality can create more relevant products, more effective campaigns and stronger emotional connections. Those that do not risk losing relevance and trust.
For this special edition of the RDCC Breakfast Talk Series, internationally recognised marketing activist, author and sustainability provocateur Thomas Kolster will explore how companies can move inclusion from the margins of their organisations to the centre of their business and marketing strategies.
Drawing on 13 years of research and international case studies, Thomas will demonstrate how inclusion can improve campaign effectiveness, unlock commercial opportunities and strengthen long-term customer relationships.
The conversation will approach inclusion broadly—across generations, abilities, backgrounds and lived experiences—rather than through the perspective of any single community or issue.
What to Expect
This will not be a conventional presentation.
Thomas will deliver an inspirational and interactive solo talk designed to challenge established thinking and encourage open discussion among participants. His presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A and a networking breakfast.
With participation limited to 45 guests, the format will allow for meaningful interaction between Thomas and an audience of senior business, marketing and inclusion professionals.
Who Should Attend?
Why Attend?
This Breakfast Talk is designed for:
- CEOs, board members and senior business leaders.
- Marketing, branding and advertising executives.
- Corporate communications and public-relations professionals.
- Strategy, growth and business-development leaders.
- Customer-experience, product and innovation professionals.
- DEI, CSR, ESG and sustainability leaders.
- Creative directors, agency leaders and brand strategists.
- Professionals responsible for consumer insights and market development.
Participants will gain:
- A commercially focused perspective on diversity and inclusion.
- Evidence showing how inclusion can strengthen marketing and campaign effectiveness.
- Insights into the growth potential of underserved customer groups.
- Practical lessons from successful—and unsuccessful—international brand campaigns.
- Guidance on creating authentic representation without stereotypes or tokenism.
- Strategies for maintaining consistent inclusion commitments during political or cultural change.
- A better understanding of changing expectations across generations.
- New ideas for building human-centred brands and genuine emotional connections.
On invitation only.
Seats are limited to 45 participants to preserve the quality of the discussion and networking.
Register now to secure your place.
Register
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Guest Speaker
Thomas Kolster
Marketing Activist, Author & Sustainability Provocateur
Thomas Kolster is one of the world’s leading voices at the intersection of marketing, business and sustainability.
He is the author of Goodvertising and The Hero Trap and the founder of the Goodvertising Agency. His work challenges companies to move beyond corporate purpose statements and create meaningful value by helping people improve their lives.
Thomas has delivered talks in more than 80 countries and has worked with international brands and organisations including Meta, adidas, P&G and IKEA. Known for his energetic and provocative approach, he encourages leaders to rethink how marketing, inclusion and human behaviour can become drivers of relevance, loyalty and growth.
Topics of Discussion
- How diversity and inclusion can generate business growth, profitability and access to new customer segments.
- Moving D&I beyond charity and CSR to make it part of core business and marketing strategy.
- Evidence from 13 years of research showing how inclusion can improve marketing and campaign effectiveness.
- Creating authentic representation while avoiding stereotypes, tokenism and performative communication.
- The commercial potential of underserved audiences, particularly people with disabilities and older consumers.
- International case studies of brands that successfully used inclusion to strengthen relevance and customer loyalty.
- Maintaining credible inclusion commitments despite political, economic or cultural change.
- The gap between increasingly inclusive younger consumers and more traditional corporate leadership.
- The role of human-centred branding in creating genuine emotional connection.
Agenda (10:00 – 12:15)
10:00–10:20 | Arrival, Registration
Informal arrival and networking.
10:20–10:30 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Estera Anghelescu – Kaufland Romania
- Lestat Monroe – Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce
- IAA Romania
10:30–11:15 | Inclusion Means Business: Turning Diversity into Growth
Inspirational and interactive solo talk by Thomas Kolster
11:15–11:40 | Audience Q&A
11:40–12:15 | Networking Breakfast and Closing
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