Creative agencies pitch inclusion of 'intellectually disabled' candidates to the advertising community in latest film
Australian non-profit agency, Creative Spirit joined forces with Publicis and production company, Independent Media to urge creative companies for the inclusion of intellectually disabled candidates.
Creative agencies pitch inclusion of 'intellectually disabled' candidates to the advertising community in latest film
The campaign titled 'The Pitch' has rolled out in the US and is directed by Independent Media’s Ned Benson who previously directed the trilogy The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (Him, Her and Them).
The four spots feature creative commercial officer of Fallon Minneapolis , Jeff Kling, Deutsch's chief creative officer, Pete Favat, executive creative director of Barton F. Graf, Jeff Benjamin and Jamie Robinson, chief creative officer of Joan Creative. Each emphasizes the importance of inclusion and how it benefits their organisations.
Ned Benson said: “This campaign is about looking beyond a so called disability and preconceived notions. The Creative Spirit candidates brought this whole project to life and lit up the camera and the set. They were a blast to work with. And working with fellow directors on the other side of the camera, learning about who they are and how they create that was a new on e for me.
"It was a great learning experience and such a special, emotional collaboration on all sides. It was also clear that everyone that was a part of this truly understood the power of a perspective that differs from their own.”
Laurel Rossi, CEO Creative Spirit said: “The employment rate among those with intellectual disabilities is around 15%. It’s one of the worst diversity issues we’re facing as a society, yet no one is talking about it."
"The minute our Creative Spirit candidates met Ned Benson and Susanne Preissler, executive producer of Independent Media, they fell in love. The ongoing enthusiasm we’re seeing for this project is a result of their genuine engagement and support.”
Andy Bird, Publicis New York's CCO said:"There are few times when you can truly impact the industry status quo. We have that opportunity with the launch of Creative Spirit, and we are really proud to bring the cause to life in North America."
"This campaign is the result of a close working relationship with David Nobay and our friends down at Marcel Sydney, and we hope the Creative Spirit message will spread, and most importantly, drive real change inside our industry, and eventually others."
The campaign will run across television and online in the US.
