An industry first: calling ALL Disabled Creatives
INTRODUCING DISABLED CREATIVES: an industry first
Yes, 2023. We are here and we're doing what we always do: making real, meaningful change where it counts. That's why we've launched Disabled Creatives.
This is a FREE three-week creative leadership programme open to creative talent who are disabled and/or neurodivergent, who are working, or have previously worked as a creative or studied in the field of advertising, marketing and design with best-in-class training from D&AD.
If you - or someone you know - would like to join, participants will gain insights on what's killing it in creativity in 2023 (DEI not AI actually), how to build a stand out portfolio, and how to come up with award-winning ideas with a creative brief, sponsored by our partners, Diageo.
We are proud to bring this to life with disability charity Scope, the Valuable500, This Ability Ltd, WithNotFor and will be shortly announcing a stellar advisory board, including trailblazers in this space like Sulaiman Khan, Kelly Gordon, Samantha Renke (activist) and more to come.
Like to hire talent from this programme? Our goal is to gain employment for the 25 or so creatives who come on the course.
2022 HIGHLIGHT: facilitating at the UN
While it's been a dark, cold start to 2022, we've been looking back at some of the bright spots. In November 2022, the Creative Equals team were the chosen facilitation partners of the Unstereotype Alliance, helping to form their three-year strategic action plan in NYC late last year. Convened by UN Women, the Unstereotype Alliance is an action platform that engages the global advertising industry to eradicate all harmful stereotypes from advertising and media content.
We are so here for Unstereotyping the work and the teams who make it.
To inspire you, you can play catch up with the two-day event, including the incomparable Munroe Bergdorf, the inspirational ex-gymnast Aly Raisman, and Danai Gurira, who arrived fresh from the world premiere of 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'. Massive shout out to the whole UA team led by Executive Director Sara Denby, who made this happen.
Another day, another ad pulled...
UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s came under fire for an in-store ad ignoring the reality of women’s safety at night. One of many, creative director Natalie Gordon, called out the supermarket, with a post viewed over 2m times. One person commented on what you don't see: like most women who walk home in the dark, she is probably wearing trainers, has her phone ready to call the police and has her keys ready in her hand. Yes, mistakes are costly and damage a brand's reputation.
As IE&D professionals who work with some of the world's top brands (McDonalds, PepsiCo, Reckitt, Philips, ABI In-Bev to name a few), we provide inclusive comms clinics to save marketing teams from costly mistakes and reputation damage. Better still, our reviews on one brand recently has meant it passed with all 'green lights' at a first pass on pre-testing, saving investment in extra rounds of creative. Our IE&D strategists help make more powerful effective work. Like to hear more? Drop us a line.
Celebrating our teams achievements
Our DEI Partnerships Director, Debbie Tembo, won DE&I High Achiever of the Year at the South African Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards.
This is awarded to someone who has achieved a significant impact in the field of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, transforming their business structure and/or the market in which they operate. It goes to someone who has an ability to inspire, has transformational leadership skills and clear vision. The judges award to the person who can show quantifiable cultural/systemic transformation, with tangible benefits to the business and to clients and show creativity in overcoming challenges. Here's to you, Debbie Tembo!
Five ways to walk-the-walk on IE&D in 2023.
Yes, we made the front page of HR news!
'2022 was a big blow for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The economic downturn and subsequent cost of living crisis compounded existing inequalities and the primary concern now is not that progress has halted, it’s progress is sliding back.
Unquestionably, employers are facing a really challenging time. But the reality is, those that reinforce and confirm their commitment to DEI and draw on the power of a diverse workforce, are best positioned to not just survive, but thrive in the crisis.
Walk-the-walk on diversity and inclusion and not only will you be helping to shape a fairer society that represents us all, you’ll also reap the rewards of the new ROI: the Return on Inclusion'.
March on, spring!
The Creative Equals Team