Inclusive Marketing News #68: New Autistic Barbie, Hashtag Guidance & 2026 Trends

Welcome back to our weekly recap of inclusive marketing news, and the first one of 2026!

In this week’s inclusive marketing news round up, we talk about the brand new Autistic Barbie doll, Instagram’s new guidance on hashtags, Marie Curie’s Grief Run Clubs, 2026 trends, and more!

If you want to be like some of these brands, and be known for your amazing inclusive work, or you want to start your inclusion journey, contact us today.

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(1/6) Instagram Introduces New Hashtag Guidance #️⃣

For years, we’ve wondered how many hashtags was the right amount, and Instagram is finally clearing the air with their latest update.

Users will only be able to add up to five hashtags to any post on the platform. This will help use more targeted terms that are relevant to the content, while also improving the experience to other users.

No more spamming with over 20 hashtags, and actually using them mindfully to help the content reach interested audiences!

(2/6) New Restrictions on Ads for Less Healthy Food and Drink 📺

New restrictions are coming into place for brands selling foods that are high in salt, fat or sugar. Now, their ads won’t be able to be shown on TV before 9pm.

This is aiming to reduce childhood obesity, while helping the NHS focus on preventing rather than treating.

FCMG brands will have to find a way to work around this, but this could be an opportunity to rethink the way they are advertising their products to make sure they are having their customers in mind.

For more information on how to create inclusive ads, send an email to our team: info@purplegoatagency.com

(3/6) Digital Marketing Trends for 2026 🗓️

We’re approaching mid January, and brands will be thinking what their digital focus should be in 2026.

This article includes some interesting things to keep in mind, from maintaining the focus on short-form content, to the raise of Reddit, and the future of both, AR and AI.

But as we look into what’s trending, let’s not forget what also has powerful stats backing it, that many brands forget is a powerful growth strategy: inclusive marketing 🫢

(4/6) Mattel Introduces Autistic Barbie 🎧

This is an exciting start of the year!

Mattel is known for understanding the importance and the power of inclusion, and following the release of their Type 1 Diabetes Barbie doll last year, they have now launched their brand new Autistic Barbie 🙌

A really powerful moment for the Disabled and Neurodivergent communities!

That’s on listening to your audience, understanding the power of inclusion, and creating something with them, not just for them.

(5/6) Trend Spotlight: You have to believe me 🤳

@dakb0b

Obviously Heated Rivalry right now but there’s been many. #heatedrivalry #tvshows #friends #fyp

♬ original sound – user

Stranger Things might have finished, but their iconic moments are still living rent free on socials. The latest trend uses the moment where one of the characters is trying to convince her friends of a BIG discovery.

What would you share with this audio? 👀

(6/6) Campaign Spotlight: Marie Curie x Mind 🏆

For our first campaign spotlight of 2026, we need to talk about Marie Curie collaborating with Mind on their Grief Run Clubs.

The amazing initiative has been launched alongside TV presenter, Jenni Falconer, and they are aiming at getting people together once a month, as a way to connect with other dealing with grief.

This shows how community can be incredibly powerful to people, and it should be one of all brands’ focus this year.

Make sure to come back next week to check our weekly news recap with the latest inclusive updates in the marketing and social media worlds, with a touch of inclusion. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more news and exciting content.

Plus, learn more about our story and inclusive marketing services.