Disability in advertising took center stage during one of the most-watched live events of the year, the Academy Awards. Comcast debuted a 60-second ad which focuses on 7-year-old Emily, born blind, describing what she sees in her mind when watching her favorite movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” Continue reading
Author Archives: jloebner
Leading the conversation. Shaping the media narrative. Changing the culture. That’s GLAAD at work.
Words and images matter…for people with disabilities and all minorities. I was able to have a wonderfully insightful interview with Seth Adam, Director of Communications for GLAAD, the leading media advocacy and minority rights organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Throughout the interview Seth shared how personal convictions, passion, advocacy and awareness leads to change. One of the main reasons I wanted to share a conversation with Seth was the organization’s annual report on media and inclusion which incorporates people with disabilities. Continue reading
One Bold Choice is Empowering
Super Bowl XLIX was a historic event for so many reasons including advertising and disability taking center stage in, what I would consider, the best ads of the evening. The title of this post comes from the hashtags of Toyota’s and Microsoft’s campaigns, and combined, share exactly what each brand’s chief marketing officer and agency creative director did when they made the decision to be inclusive. One bold choice is empowering. Continue reading
Mannequins Are Moving Towards Inclusion
I’m a fan of wax museums not because I can stand next to a likeness of Al Roker or David Beckham, but because I share a unique bond with the figures in that we all have glass eyes. These sculpted interpretations of icons are painstakingly modeled to incorporate the finest details and real-world physical differences unique to each individual.
But if we transition from the inside of a museum and wax figures to in-store marketing with mannequins, where does disability fit in? Continue reading
The Gift of Inclusion
Like so many other boys and girls this time of year, Izzy Bradley is excited about the prospect of opening presents, but what’s unique about two-year-old Izzy’s story is that her enthusiasm, captured in a Target ad has now been shared by millions of people. Continue reading
Inspiration & Insight From Hill Holliday Creative Director
Dave Banta, EVP and Group Creative Director at Hill Holliday shared some powerful insights during a phone interview about the Liberty Mutual campaign that I’ve also blogged about in the past two posts. Dave’s background spans more than 25 years in advertising at different agencies across the country, he’s been creative director on Liberty Mutual’s account for 3 ½ of his 4 ½ years at Hill Holliday. Continue reading
Liberty Mutual’s Responsibility Revolution
I believe advertising can start a revolution. After interviewing Teal Sherer and getting her take as an actor in the commercial, I was fortunate enough to interview Jennifer Anderson, Marketing Manager with Liberty Mutual, who shared more insights from the advertiser’s perspective. Continue reading
Teal Sherer Actress & Advocate
I had the privilege to interview Teal Sherer, to learn how she brings conviction, visibility and voice to both her career in acting and support of disability inclusion and awareness. Originally from Lenoir City, Tennessee, Teal is an L.A. based actor, producer, and activist for performers with disabilities. Her film, TV, online and theatre work includes the Emmy Award-Winning HBO Film Warm Springs, starring Kenneth Branagh, I’m With Stupid an NBC series developed by The Farelly Brothers and on-stage performances with, among others, Dustin Hoffman. Closer to main the theme of this blog centering on advertising and disability, in 2008 Teal starred in the highly acclaimed Liberty Mutual commercial, Election. Continue reading
Advertising, Disability and Apple
With the news of Steve Jobs passing, I among many others, and those in the advertising industry are mourning. Advertising and Apple are intertwined, in the design and branding of the storied computer giant – and in the computers that are the tools used to design the stories of brands. Continue reading
Start At Home, Rebuild Together & Recognize Disability
If you became disabled, could you continue living in your house? I was fortunate enough to find out first-hand about an organization coming to my community that would provide insights and assistance toward answering that question.
HGTV, together with the support of Scripps Networks Interactive and the City of Knoxville, are bringing a local chapter of Rebuilding Together to this community. Continue reading