Embracing Neurodiversity is Responsible - PLUS vote for NDIM to be at SWSW
Reflecting on last week's talk with agencies, brands and platforms in the media ecosystem at the inaugural Responsible Advertising Summit, we realise we are only getting started! Also, a small ask!
Not sure if people say Happy Monday, especially some of you who have enjoyed the non socialising cocoon of the weekend, but here we are, and hope stresses are subsiding and the festive season isn’t too painful!
But as we celebrate our 8 week anniversary, we just want to say Thanks again, and to also share a couple of really quick updates. One is a bit of a favour to ask (Vote please) but firstly, we reflect on a theme from last week’s event…
Progress is better than perfection
NDIM’s first event, introduced at the Responsible Advertising Summit
It was an honour to be on the roster at the industry’s first of its kind show, discussing key issues in the space of being a responsible advertiser, from campaign content to digital accessibility, it considered a wide range of challenges int he ecosystem.
Then came us, in the 2nd stream. Along with other talks on protecting employees, we were able to use 30 minutes on this gratefully received platform to add a new perspective to the conversation….
Responsibility begins by looking inwards
Our point being that, if all the brands want to prove how responsible, conscious and thoughtful they are to their consumers, authenticity of the brand can only really be claimed if they truly care about and embrace the people delivering the work. and this was our conduit to discuss the 15-20% of talent, and run through the manifesto (and all the other exciting things you already know). We also ended with an ask for how they could help today…
Again you have heard these asks amongst other things, but on the day we wanted it to be framed in wider context. There’s the tangible asks, Get Involved and follow download the user guide, but the big piece we released we needed t reinforce (and indeed here) is to indeed ENCOURAGE, CONSIDER & MAINTAIN the ND conversation. Otherwise, everything is out of context. Ongoing discussion, normalising, and groundswell is what matters to maintain the changes we need for our working environments.
Again, thanks so much to Responsible Marketing Agency, Conscious Advertising Network and IQPC for making this platform happen for us.
Speaking of Groundswell, help us get on stage at SXSW London
This is where this community could also create something bigger than any of us. The inaugural #SXSW will hit London early 2025, and we know it is punchy, but we have put in an application for a 15 minute slot for Simon to talk about :
'How 4 S’ help neurodivergent talent to thrive in the media industry'
It is the event and a huge global movement at the intersection of all the things we are involved in. Culture, Media, Society, Entertainment. Discussing this could have a huge impact, on adjacent industries too. We know we are up against it but who knows? Maybe it offers something unique (we hope!)
Anyway, voting takes seconds, please click here or below (you may need to login/create account but that is a half-minute job). Every heart helps. <3
So. Thanks again, remember that responsibility does begin inwardly, so encourage that conversation , and let’s chip away at these media companies, and above all, make Neurodiversity part of the normality.
Si & Jaz