Publicis, Creative Spirit and Independent Media have been working together to produce "The Pitch", a campaign which urges creative companies to do more for the inclusion of candidates with development disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
As mentioned in the article, “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" (Laurel Rossi, CEO Creative Spirit).
Andy Bird, Publicis New York's CCO, hopes "the Creative Spirit message will spread, and most importantly, drive real change inside our industry, and eventually others." Fantastic to see the advertising sector leading the way with such a positive initiative.
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. 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.